1. LOCAL AUTHORITIES NETWORK
For Social, Cultural, Tourist, Environmental and Agricultural Development

2. What is EFXINI POLI:
EFXINI POLI is a LOCAL AUTHORITIES NETWORK for Social, Cultural, Tourist, Environmental and Agricultural Development.
It was established in 1995 and today counts 24 Greek Local Authorities, as members.
EFXINI POLI is a Non-for-profit Organisation, public equivalent and a NGO.
It transfers know-how to Local Authorities, from other European countries (members and non members of EU) through the implementation mainly of EU funded projects.
Efxini Poli is certified for the Provision of Services in Design, Implementation and Project Management of EU and National Co-funded projects in accordance to EN ISO 9001/2000 from TÜV Rheinland Hellas S.A.
The Managing Authority of the Operational Programme “Digital Convergence” of the Greek National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) has validated its administrative competency for projects without technical character (Projects Category Type B).
It is an organisation of high status both among Greek organisations and among EU organisations as well. (Cooperation with more than 200 organisations in Europe within the last 5 years)
2/7/2011

4. FIELDS OF INTERVENTION:
Social: Support to vulnerable social groups, Promotion to employment, Support to SME, Sensibilization of Employees, Vocational training
Environment: Awareness raising on environmental issues, pilot actions (eg. home composting pilot action in 5 municipalities)
Education and Training: Development of instruments and educational material, Basic-continuous-specific training of tutors, employment advisors, people from vulnerable social groups (mediators’ training)
Information services: Provision of information to unemployed, to disadvantaged people and employers
Establishment, implementation, follow-up of support and protection services: Social Service Units, Home care, Primary health care and social support centres for Roma Community, etc.

5. Member of Networks on Local, National & European level:
1. Local Network for Employment & Development
2. Network of Centers providing supporting social services
3. Migrants Network “MIGRANET”
4. European Network for Drug Abuse and AIDS Prevention in the Rom Community (SASTIPEN)

6. Support to the Local Authorities members of the Network:
Information and use of Funding Resources
Development and Implementation of National and Transnational projects with the involvement of the members of the Network in order to transfer know-how regarding social, cultural, tourist, environmental and agricultural development.
Provision of consulting services and studies on local, rural, touristic, cultural and environmental management
Twinnings aiming to develop Cooperation among Greek Local Authorities and other authorities from the rest of EU and Third Countries.

7. Support to the Local Authorities members of the Network:
Establishment of the ASSOCIATION OF STRATEGIC PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT titled “Hellenic- Russian Transregional Cooperation”.
Two (2) cooperation protocols have already been signed, with two regions in North Western Russia.
The Transregional Cooperation aims at the mutual development of the areas of both countries participating to the cooperation, activating Local Authorities, chambers, Agricultural Unions, Research Institutes, Religious and Cultural Organisations.

8. Indicative List of Transnational Projects Implemented since 2001:
PROGRAMME MED Project “MEID”
PROGRAMME MED Project “CYCLO”
PROGRAMME INTERREG IV C – Project “SOLIDARCITY”
PROGRAMME MED – Project “ZERO WASTE, Low Cost Zero Waste Municipalities”
DG JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY, Directorate F Security, Programme Prevention of and Fight against Crime 2009 – Project “HOMO TRAFFICKENS”
EEA Grants, Project “Integrated Intervention for migrants: +DEVELOPMENT”
European Integration Fund 2008, Project “Healthy and Wealthy Together”
INTERREG IIIB MEDOCC Mimarmed, Rehabilitation of deserted military and maritime settings
INTERREG IIIB MEDOCC Bleumed, European Broad Band for the Mediterranean Sea
INTERREG IIIC SUD Vistoria, Historical Landscapes of Europe
PIC Equal II, +PRAXIS – Cooperation for Employment,
PIC Equal II, XENIOS DIAS
SASTIPEN Network: Reduction of health inequalities within the Roma Community
Grundtvig II Educational Partnerships: empowerment of mentors
2004 PIC Equal I, Project DESMOS – eQUALITY
2004 PIC Equal I, IPHAISTOS
PIC Equal I, COOPERATION PLUS
Leonardo da Vinci II Lingua – in – City

9. EFXINI POLI: Conversion to European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation - EGTC
The EGTC is a new European legal instrument designed to facilitate and promote cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation.
In 2nd July 2011, a transnational meeting for the Establishment of EGTC – EFXINI POLI SOLIDARCITY NETWORK took place in the Townhall of the Municipality of Acharnes.
The existing members of EFXINI POLI together with representatives of Municipalities from Bulgaria, Italy and Cyprus took part.
At the moment the procedures for the EGTC establishment are being finalised.

10. LOCAL AUTHORITIES NETWORK
For Social, Cultural, Tourist, Environmental and Agricultural Development 10