The Board of Directors of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, concerned with the socio-economic crisis in Greece, has committed up to $130 million (euro 100 million) over the next three years to help ease the adverse effects of the deepening crisis. This decision comes on the heels of a $1.9 million (euro 1.5 million) grant supporting a series of pilot programs intended to address the country’s mounting social needs.
The Foundation’s purpose and philosophy, which focuses on vital issues in Greece as well as the rest of the world, has always been to complement rather than replace the work of state and institutional organizations. Funds will be made available only to grantees that have the capacity and ability to utilize them effectively.
“The crisis is rapidly reversing decades of economic growth,” stated Andreas C. Dracopoulos, Co-President and Member of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Board. “Our commitment is to those most in need but is also a promise to future generations. Not only do we intend to offer immediate relief by funding social welfare and health programs, but we will invest in educational programs that should help ensure that the current crisis does not condemn future generations. We hope that today’s announcement will inspire many other organizations and individuals that can and must help to do the same.”
The Foundation has already received inquiries from individuals who, inspired by its initiatives, have expressed their willingness to co-invest together with the Foundation toward this effort and the future of Greece.
Today’s announcement comes as the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, by far the Foundation’s largest single gift (euro 566/$790 million), approaches the beginning of the construction phase, with excavation works already in progress at the site. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation firmly believes that the project is of national importance, even more so under the current socio-economic conditions. It remains a testament and a commitment to the country’s future, at a critical historical juncture. It is also an engine of short- to mid-term economic stimulus, which is essential under the current circumstances.
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