The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG and the Bodossaki Foundation announce the beginning of their collaboration to identify, prepare, implement and monitor social and environmental initiatives (SEI) in Greece.
As a good neighbour and “pipeline of good energy,” TAP continues supporting its host communities – now with the Bodossaki Foundation as its valued partner. The Bodossaki Foundation is one the most respected public-benefit organisations in Greece. As such, it brings to the partnership extensive experience and many years of expertise in planning, assessing, implementing and monitoring social, educational and environmental activities. From its establishment in 1972 until today, the Foundation has managed more than €400 million for projects with a positive social impact.
The initiatives underway or about to be implemented via the TAP-Bodossaki Foundation collaboration are part of TAP’s overall SEI programme, focusing on projects that:
– support improved quality of life for communities located along the pipeline route
– enhance the livelihoods of people living in these communities
– improve skills and enhance capacity via education and training
– contribute to the improvement of environmental management, emphasising on biodiversity conservation
TAP’s Country Manager for Greece, Katerina Papalexandri, noted: “We are very pleased to inaugurate yet another significant collaboration for the implementation of TAP’s voluntary social and environmental investments programme. We are closely cooperating with the Bodossaki Foundation and its experienced staff, in order to realise initiatives with an actual impact on the everyday life and future of the people of Northern Greece, bringing benefits to all affected communities.”
On his part, Sotiris Laganopoulos, Secretary of the Bodossaki Foundation, stated: “The Foundation’s mission is to create added value for society, dedicating the knowledge and experience of its people to the management of socially beneficial projects. We are especially pleased for the opportunity we have, through our collaboration with TAP, to focus on Northern Greece, an area with particular needs and demands; and to contribute so that the initiatives implemented there will have the largest possible impact on local societies.”
The TAP-Bodossaki Foundation collaboration falls under the extensive €32 million SEI programme that TAP has voluntarily committed to implementing in all three Northern Greek Prefectures traversed by the pipeline.
These investments aim to support all local communities affected by the project. To select them, TAP has been collaborating with people living in these communities, with competent authorities, as well as other local stakeholders – always taking into consideration the effectiveness and sustainability of each initiative.
ENDS
About the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The 878km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
TAP’s routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.
TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow in 2020.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam S.p.A. (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).
About the Bodossaki Foundation
The Bodossaki Foundation was established in 1972 from Prodromos – Bodossakis Athanasiadis, who decided to use his wealth to promote education, health and the protection of the environment. In addition, the Foundation supports NGOs working with socially vulnerable groups.
The Bodossaki Foundation has a deep knowledge of the socially conscious non-profit sector in Greece, and since its inception has managed more than €400 million that have been disbursed placing a great emphasis on decreasing the inequality of opportunities; on contributing to the education of young people; on improving medical and research infrastructure; and on promoting environmental protection.
Media enquiries for TAP: media_gr@tap-ag.com
Media enquiries for the Bodossaki Foundation:
Maria Fola, Head of Communications, tel (+30) 210 722 5823, email: mfola@bodossaki.gr
More about TAP: www.tap-ag.com | www.twitter.com/tap_pipeline
More about the Bodossaki Foundation: www.bodossaki.gr/en
