Alternative paths for technologies The dominant narrative is that technology is an independent and autonomous force, which we are obliged to follow as it is. In his article, researcher Christos Yiotitsas points out that, on the contrary, technology is a social construction, and we have the option to shape it according to our needs. This is exactly what open technologies, digital commons and the emerging movement of 'cosmolocalism' are trying to do, which are also being applied in the agricultural activity of the Epirus region. By Christos Giotitsas
The ‘Souroukia of Rapsani’: A flame of revitalisation for the area The ‘Souroukia of Rapsani’ are a group of people who come from the village, or who live and work there most of the time, having initially faced the challenges of the place. People who, by their example, knowledge and skills, but also by their community and cooperative spirit, provide inspiration on how to achieve revitalisation of shrinking areas. (In Greek) By Giorgos Melissourgos
Giorgos Manolis, mayor of Tempi: ‘We need money and that is what we small municipalities lack’ A discussion with the mayor of Tempi, Giorgos Manolis, about the problems of the municipality that hinder the development and revitalization of its decentralised areas, such as Rapsani. The main issue is the lack of infrastructure in terms of transport, internet, accommodation and teleworking spaces, and of course the lack of financial resources. For our part, we are making some initial proposals to address these challenges. (In Greek) By Giorgos Melissourgos
All roads lead to the library! In an area that is mainly rural, the public library is perhaps the most basic infrastructure, the centre of the local community and the point of connection between the residents and the services of the municipality. As librarian Haido Pantazi points out in her article, the library is a place of knowledge, research and entertainment, and together with the local institutions and clubs, they make up the cultural ecosystem of the area. (In Greek) By Haido Pantazi
Integration into a local community How did the newcomers of the Self-Help Promotion Programme integrate into the local community of a decentralized area, such as Rapsani, and how did they manage to affect it in a positive way? As the Self-Help Promotion Programme employees who collectively wrote this article point out, over time and through the trusting relationships that have been developed, their activities are becoming more and more adapted to people's needs, more enriching and more collaborative and participatory. (In Greek) By Ersi Roumelioti and Alexandros Georgiou
Approaching the community of the 21st century Nowadays, when a community is more than just a group of people connected spatially, how could, for example, some digital nomads be integrated into the local community structure of a semi-mountainous part of the country? In this article, psychologist Sotiris Lainas explores the concept of community, the emerging challenges and the conditions for 21st century communities to be sustainable and functional. (In Greek) By Sotiris Lainas
The Care Diamond All countries care, but in different circumstances, in different contexts (cultural, political, historical, social, economic) and using different words. To understand how this happens, feminist economic thought suggests that we use the so-called 'care diamond'. READ MORE... By Andreas Chatzidakis, Hara Kouki and Haris Malamidis
Urban–rural divide The over-concentration of population, power, resources and opportunities in large cities is a characteristic feature of Greece, which creates a clear and multilevel gap between urban and rural areas. The prolonged economic crisis and the demographic problem have put the sustainability and long-term prospects of the Greek countryside at risk. With this special dossier, the Heinrich Böll Foundation is launching a public debate on this overlooked issue, addressing it in all its complexity and presenting not only the problems but also best practices that can serve as an example for Greek cities and regions.