Company’s Profile

Regional Development Company of Parnonas

Leonidion Arcadia, P.O. 22300

Τel. 2757022807

Fax. 2757023230

Site: www.parnonas.gr

Email: info@parnonas.gr

http://www.parnonas.gr/mailto:info@parnonas.gr

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF PARNONAS

ESTABLISHMENT

The Regional Development Company of Parnonas (PARNONAS S.A.) was established on 26.9.1995

(Government Gazette 5854/10.11.95) and took the form of a Company whose main purpose is the

economic and cultural development of Parnonas area.

AIMS

The company is a local agreement of regional bodies for the strategy and the content of integrated

development, through a vibrant partnership. This is achieved operationally through the

establishment of a scientific mechanism which designs and implements the Company’s activities and

projects. The resources for the implementation of the design come from co-financed projects and

programs and also from the development of the sector which provides services and conducts studies

for the Company’s shareholders.

The aims of the company are:

The scientific and technical support of local authorities and their associations and also the

support of decentralized state administration.

The promotion of entrepreneurial, economic and sustainable development of the Local

Authorities as well as of the wider area

The development of environmental protection activities

The participation in programs and the implementation of relevant policies at inter-municipal

level or in a wider geographic area.

The main sectors of the company’s activity are related to the planning, designing, implementation

and maturation of Programs financed from ESI (European Structural and Investment) funds,

integrated rural development, protection and management of the natural environment, and the

implementation of social policy actions and the display of promotion measures.

INTERVENTION AREA

The company operates throughout in the Region of Peloponnese and for the integrated rural

development programs in East Peloponnese at 12 Municipalities and 3 Counties.

The region of Εastern Peloponnese is characterized by an interesting landscape, which is

characterized by a temperate climate, a significant number of rural regions of production

(agriculture, fisheries), a large number of statutory protected areas, land and sea areas NATURA

2000, remarkable flora - fauna, accessible caves - canyons, rich history, great cultural heritage,

extensive network of traditional settlements and culture-information centers.

Picture 1: Intervention area of Regional Development Company of Parnonas and Boundaries of protected areas

in Southeastern Peloponnese

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company's income is derived from:

The implementation and management of National and Community Programs.

The provision of technical support services for local authorities and regional bodies.

Studies, development projects and service projects in local government and other public

bodies.

Today the Company's share capital amounts to 1.250.427, 40 € and is divided into 42.604 equities

with a nominal value of 29, 35€ each. The Company's turnover on average the last three years,

exceeds the 1.100.000€ per year.

The shareholders of the company are: The District of Peloponnese, Municipalities of the area,

Champers, Associations, Agricultural Cooperatives and Regional Association of Peloponnese’s

Municipalities.

STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY

STAFF/ PERSONEL

The Development Company of Region Parnon S.A. has a basic staff of 38 people, 22 permanent and

16 external partners in various specializations such as engineers, environmentalists, geologists-

environmentalists etc., in order to provide advice, transfer the knowledge and prepare specialized

studies for the Technical Support of Local Authorities.

22 permanent staff 16 external partners

2 Environmentalists, 1 Agriculturist, 4 Economists, 1 Financial Advisor, 2 Civil Engineers, 1 Mechanical Engineer, 1 Chemical Engineer, 2 Engineers of Technological Education, 1 Physicist, 1 Lawyer, 1 Management Employee of Technological Education, 2 Management Employees, 2 Employees, 1 Cleaner

3 Civil Engineers, 3 Mechanical Engineers, 2 Rural & Surveying Engineers, 1 Chemical Engineer, 2 Architects, 1 Environmental Engineer, 3 Geologists-Environmentalists, 1 Technical Consultant

QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ISO)

Since 2003 the Company has implemented a Quality Management System

(ISO) 9001:2008, which contributes to the continuous improvement of the

level of the Company’s provisions of services, the improvement of its

internal organization, the improvement and upgrading of its human

resources both in organizational matters and matters of knowledge and

finally the improvement of its image both in its inside and outside environment. For the

programming period 2014-2020, the Company meets the requirements of potential beneficiaries of

the management capacity NSRF 2014 - 2020 and in particular the requirements for administrative

capacity through the ISO 9001 certification.

ACTIVITIES

The Regional Development Company of Parnonas has implemented programs with objectives

focused on the unique characteristics value, on the wide range of sectors processing agricultural

products, on the environment, culture and history. Through its activities, the Company contributes to

local development, in cooperation with local socio-economic factors in rural areas, in tourism, in

public administration on the interface level and on promotion of the environment and culture.

A. Programs/ Projects implemented during the period 1994-2001

The company during the second programming period implemented the Community Initiative

LEADER II with budget of 7.174.869,00 €. The aim of the project was the integrated rural

development of the region of Parnonas, through the development of complementary and alternative

economic activities associated with agriculture. Also, it aimed at the qualitative upgrading of the

character of the region (cultural tradition, the natural environment and architectural heritage).

B. Programs/ Projects implemented during the period 2000-2006

The Company, during the third programming period implemented projects and programs on rural

development, environment, social cohesion and employment with a total budget of 23.557.696,83 €.

More specific implemented the Community Initiative LEADER+ entitled “Eco-development of

Southeastern Peloponnese” with budget of 7.398.006,00 €.

Other programs/ projects were financed from European Social Funds (ESF) such as “Home Care”,

Community Programmes EQUAL and Technical & Scientific support of Local Authorities.

C. Fourth Programming Period 2007-2013

The Development Company of Parnonas during the Fourth Programming Period (2007-2013) actively

participated in working meetings in the framework of the National Strategic Development Plan 2007-

2013 and also in development conferences at regional and national level. Furthermore the

executives of the Company participated in consultations with local government bodies of the local

economy. The company implemented projects on agricultural development such as the Local

LEADER Program entitled “Eastern Peloponnese: From Eco-development to Innovation”, with

budget of 10.607.000,00 €, and other programs/ projects related to the promotion of employment,

tourism, culture and technical support to the local authorities.

C.1 Network for Employment in East Peloponnese

The Development Company of Parnonas was the coordinating partner of the

Development Partnership "Network for Employment in East Peloponnese".

The Development Partnership implemented integrated intervention actions

for the region of East Peloponnese, focused on supporting the beneficiaries

on the supply and demand of a labor. The project aimed to boost the employment, combat the

unemployment, to integrate the vulnerable social groups, to the local development and social

cohesion. The total budget of these actions 440.000,00€ and the funding source is the European

Social Fund (ESF). More Information: www.topeko-parnonas.gr

C.2 Local Network for Employment in East Peloponnese

The Development Company of Parnonas is the coordinating partner of the

Development Partnership "Social Network for Employment in East

Peloponnese". The partners of this network implemented individual

actions such as training programs for beneficiaries, electronic and physical

networking between actors, counseling of beneficiaries and enterprises

and preparation of business plans with the ultimate aim of ensuring job

creation. The total budget of these programs is 315.000, 00€ and the funding source is the European

Social Fund (ESF). More Information: www.topsa-parnonas.gr

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE - PARTNERSHIPS

A. Cooperation projects

The company, working with National Rural Networks and participating in transnational and inter-

territorial cooperation, has implemented the following projects:

http://www.topeko-parnonas.gr/http://www.topsa-parnonas.gr/

Under Measure 421 "Inter-territorial and Transnational Cooperation", of the local LEADER

Programme, the LAG Parnon has designed, submit funding folder and coordinate four cooperation

projects, two of which have been completed.

1. Inter-regional cooperation "Finest Greek Tastes" (LEADER)

The cooperation has been designed and coordinated by Parnonas S.A. and

funded by the LEADER program. The above plan concerns the nomination of fine

cuisine with recognized certified (PDO, PGI) and fine products from every region

of Greece, in order to elevate the culinary tradition for the benefit of the rural

economy and tourism. A long-term planning implementation tool will be the

Network "Fine Greek Tastes", which will set the TABs and productive institutions

of Greece. More Information: www.finestgreektastes.com

2. Inter-regional cooperation "ISLAND PELOPONNESE" (LEADER)

The project aims at highlighting the identity of the single

geographical Peloponnese Region as European economic, social and

cultural development. Five Development Companies of Peloponnese

participated in the project.

The objectives of the project are:

The utilization of assets of three representative areas of Peloponnese (wine sector, olive and

olive oil sector and culture sector) and their interconnection with the geographical

Peloponnese

The use and promotion of existing relevant infrastructure, events, alternative forms of

tourism and other resources,

The support of the promotional effort and the branding of Regions of Peloponnese and

Western Greece.

3. Transnational Cooperation Project “PARKS PROTECTION II: Management, Protection and

Economic Development in Protected Areas" (LEADER)

The transnational cooperation project had as its main objective

the development of economic activities through educational

tourism in important protected natural environment zones. The

strategy to achieve the main goal of the Project primarily related

to actions, was the implementation of a training week in each area, the creation of training

material and implementation of educational tour. Also the program could be viewed through a

website and e-brochure and the results of the Plan were disseminated and evaluated through the

implementation of the Plan presentation event. Project partners were: Parnonas S.A., "Dobele

District Rural Partnership" (LAG Latvia) and "Northumberland Coast and Lowlands" (LAG

England).

More Information: www.parksprotection.eu

http://www.finestgreektastes.com/http://www.parksprotection.eu/http://www.parnonas.gr/nisos-peloponnisos/http://www.parnonas.gr/parks-protection/

4. Transnational Cooperation Project "Short Mediterranean Stories (SMS): Action of culture,

gastronomy and art in the Mediterranean" (LEADER)

The transnational cooperation plan, aimed at creating a common cultural

action for the peoples of the Mediterranean, through the emergence of areas

that have important cultural and gastronomic stock and interesting natural

and social environment. The ultimate goal was the establishment of

institutions and events in the participating regions and the effective

networking of regions through the development of partnerships and

exchanges. The main tool for the implementation of these was the establishment of the Network

"Short Mediterranean Stories", which were members of the project partners, whose actions

aimed at highlighting the areas involved in the project and therefore contributed to the

promotion of tourism, gastronomy and culture of each region.

The Project partners were: Parnonas S.A., Dimosynetairistiki Company Evros S.A., Gal Valle Del

Crocchio (LAG Italy). More Information: www.shortmedstories.com

Transnational Cooperation Project “Eurovillages - Network of European

villages”

The aim of this project is the development of an authentic, high-quality

tourism in Europe, in terms of sustainability and with respect to the

environment. Special emphasis is given in order to develop an integrated

package which includes the accommodation and the local gastronomy combined with the use of

local, pure traditional products and generally discovering the values of life in the countryside.

More Information: www.eurovillages.info

B. Enhancement of Cultural Heritage projects

The company has organized actions that enhance and promote the Cultural Heritage of the area

or general. Indicatively:

1. Melitzazz festival

Melitzazz festival is a colorful, multi-national gathering of cultures, in

the capital of Tsakonia, Leonidio. Invited artists and chefs convey the

atmosphere of their homeland, contributing to the celebration with

music, dance, culture and tastes. Different events take place in the

streets, at squares and in the chateaus of the picturesque traditional village of Leonidio.

Numerous open stages are set up throughout the city of Leonidio, the streets are transformed

into open air bars and street food reaches a new dimension, where music and dances tangle with

scents and flavors of local and international gastronomy.The festival is dedicated to the

famous PDO Tsakonian eggplant of Leonidio. Leonidio and Tsakonia celebrate, highlighting their

rare qualities, the Tsakonian language with its foundations in the Doric dialect, the Tsakonian

dance with its roots being in the myths of Apollo, the local tradition, hospitality and excellent

natural environment. The theme of the festival, inspired by hosted cultures, includes dances and

music from rebetiko, oriental, flamenco and Serbian brass, to gypsy swing, jazz, Balkan, Cyprus,

tarantella, operetta and many more. More Information: www.melitzazz.gr

http://www.shortmedstories.com/http://www.eurovillages.info/http://www.melitzazz.gr/

2. Festival of Peloponnese

The festival of Peloponnese had as its object the organization and realization of a

Festival with the aim to establish an institution that creates cultural events at local,

regional, national and international level in the region of Peloponnese. It concerns

the support of local culture structures as well as the preparation of a program with

culture events ranging from the level of municipality to the Regional Unit of the

Region, making Peloponnese a place of culture production with a national and international scope.

3. Estella Festival

The Estella festival has been included as part of events in archaeological sites and

museums in Greece of the Central Archaeological Council and the Ministry of Culture,

Education & Religious Affairs. The festival is funded by the local LEADER program of

Parnonas S.A. and takes place in Astros (North Kynouria) and its old castle named

“Estella”. More Information: www.estellafestival.gr

LOCAL PROGRAM CLLD / LEADER 2014-2020

Under submission of the Local Strategic CLLD / LEADER 2014-2020 of the Ministry of Rural

Development and Food, it was approved the Local Program of LAG Parnonas entitled “Eastern

Peloponnese. Biosphere Reserve and Business Innovation Zones”, total public expenditure budget

11.700.000 €. The program will include activities of private and public interest, financed by the

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Maritime and Fisheries

Fund (EMFF).

Aims of the Local Program

1. The emergence of local identity with the identification, management and development of

"Biosphere Reserve", to improve the quality of life and the creation of tourism destination

infrastructures.

2. The promotion of local entrepreneurship with the cooperation, transfer of knowledge and

strengthening of innovation and extroversion.

The vision of Parnonas S.A. reflected briefly as follows: "We create biosphere reserve and business

innovation zones in East Peloponnese - Facing the economic crisis by investing in knowledge and

create jobs and collective social goods"

Proposed Biosphere Reserve Mount Parnonas – Cape Malea

From 1997 until now, interventions have been carried out as an initiative of local communities for

the period 1997-2000 while in the course, the design is molded into a six-year time horizon with

central aim: the period 2000-2006 the eco-development of the South Peloponnese, the period 2007

– 2013 the eco-development and innovation in the Eastern Peloponnese. Today in an attempt to

promote the relationship between man and biosphere, a new program designed until 2020, with

central axis the Biosphere Reserves target in the eastern Peloponnese.

http://www.estellafestival.gr/

The region of Eastern Peloponnese including valuable nature elements, culture and productive

activities in the area of intervention, may be a new Biosphere Reserve in Greece.

Combined with the management and conservation of the landscape of the Protected areas and the

preservation of diachronic Cultural wealth (local dialect, customs, local products etc.) this

coexistence of human culture and nature is ready to receive international recognition and become

part of a network of similar important regions. The proposed Biosphere Reserve covers approximately

320000 ha and has about 45000 inhabitants.

Proposed Biosphere Reserve

For more information about our region (products, archeological sites, NATURA 2000 sites,

wildlife refuges, traditional settlements, and etc), view the map here or follow the link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lIkKWAeIEe5_xAHoVaGh8wRCNy4&usp=sharing

View 3 alternative projects that were implemented by the LAG Parnonas here or follow the

link: http://www.parnonas.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Photos.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lIkKWAeIEe5_xAHoVaGh8wRCNy4&usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/open?id=1lIkKWAeIEe5_xAHoVaGh8wRCNy4&usp=sharinghttp://www.parnonas.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Photos.pdfhttp://www.parnonas.gr/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Photos.pdf