EKO: Supporting Cyprus’s Mountain Communities

EKO invests more than €3 million in a three-year programme supporting Cyprus’s Mountain Communities

• Focus on the younger generation and families
• More than 7,000 people expected to benefit from the programme’s initiatives

EKO, a member of HELLENiQ ENERGY, is launching a comprehensive three-year programme to support Cyprus’s Mountain Communities, further strengthening its longstanding presence and contribution to society in Cyprus. With a total investment of more than €3 million over the next three years, the programme focuses on the specific needs of the Mountain Communities covered by the National Strategy for the Development of Mountain Communities (ESAOK), as well as communities in the Tilliria region.

The programme aims to create a long-term framework of support that contributes to improving everyday life and creating better prospects for people living in mountainous areas. With a focus on the younger generation and families, alongside initiatives for social care, environmental protection and the preservation of cultural heritage, EKO seeks to make a meaningful contribution to maintaining vital and sustainable mountain communities.

The programme and its new initiatives were presented on 12 September at a special event held at the Presidential Retreat in Troodos, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, the First Lady, Mrs Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides, Minister of Education, Sport and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, Undersecretary of Culture, Mrs Klea Papaellina, HELLENiQ ENERGY CEO Mr Andreas Siamisiis, EKO CEO Mr Giorgos Grigoras, as well as government representatives and officials.

Supporting families from the very first years of life
A central pillar of the programme is support for Families and Children, through two new initiatives developed in cooperation with the Office of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, based on the specific needs of residents in these areas.

Specifically, EKO is introducing a programme of financial support for young families in the Mountain Communities and the Tilliria region, providing €1,000 for the first newborn child, €1,500 for the second and €2,000 for the third, together with a fuel discount for each newborn child. The initiative is expected to provide practical support to more than 200 families every year.

The next initiative involves the provision of more than 120,000 breakfast portions to 660 children attending public kindergartens in these mountainous areas, making a tangible contribution to their everyday care and wellbeing.

Finally, through the “Warm Embrace” initiative, which EKO is implementing for the fourth consecutive year, the company is actively supporting vulnerable social groups by covering the heating needs of 17 institutions in the Mountain Communities. The initiative benefits more than 1,500 people every year, while the total contribution to date has exceeded 200,000 litres of heating oil.

Investing in the younger generation and equal opportunities
Particular emphasis is also placed on the younger generation and education, with the expansion to Cyprus of the HELLENiQ ENERGY Scholarship Programme for High-Achieving Graduates

The programme, which is implemented in Greece and is being expanded to Cyprus for the first time this year, recognises high-school graduates from the Mountain Communities for their efforts and outstanding academic performance. Its aim is not only to recognise excellence, but also to strengthen the opportunities available to young people from mountainous areas to continue their studies and pursue their goals.

A total of 61 high-achieving students this year were recognized at the Troodos event, in the presence of the country’s state and political leadership.

Cultural heritage and forest protection
The three-year programme extends beyond social care, incorporating two additional important dimensions for the future of the Mountain Communities: showcasing their cultural identity and protecting their natural wealth.

In this context, EKO is supporting the initiative of the Troodos Mountain Communities Cultural Foundation by funding the production of a documentary series entitled “Journeys Through Memory”, highlighting the cultural heritage of the mountain regions through the recording of more than 100 personal testimonies and experiences.

At the same time, in response to the increased needs of the Department of Forests, EKO will provide five water tankers, strengthening the capacity to protect the forests and natural environment of the Mountain Areas.

In this way, the individual initiatives come together to form a unified framework of social investment, supporting the fundamental conditions for the long-term resilience of the communities themselves.

In his address, President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, said: «At today’s event, I want to say that EKO, and others following its example, marks a milestone in corporate responsibility and in cooperation between the state and the private sector. EKO’s announcements reaffirm precisely how important it is to support initiatives and policies that focus on the wellbeing of citizens and on improving their everyday lives.».

For his part, HELLENiQ ENERGY CEO, Mr Andreas Siamisiis, referred to the importance of providing practical and long-term support to the Mountain Communities, and particularly to the children, young people and families living there.

As he noted:
“Cyprus is not only a very important market for HELLENiQ ENERGY. It is also a place where we feel the need to leave a strong social footprint, as a legacy for the younger generation. We believe that meaningful support for society acquires real value when it is long-lasting, creates opportunities and responds to real needs. That is why we have chosen to invest in the Mountain Communities of Cyprus over the long term: in children, families, people who are most in need, as well as in protecting the natural and cultural wealth of the country.”

“Through a comprehensive programme that is expected to positively impact the lives of more than 7,000 people, we are investing more than €3 million over the next three years. Our aim is to contribute, consistently and continuously, to creating better prospects for people and maintaining vibrant and sustainable communities.”

EKO CEO, Mr Giorgos Grigoras, underlined that the programme for the Mountain Communities is a continuation of the company’s broader social contribution in Cyprus:
“All these initiatives share one common denominator: our commitment to creating long-term value for society. To invest in the younger generation, support families and those in need, protect the environment, and promote safety and sport.”

Mr Grigoras also congratulated the students who were recognised for their achievements, noting that “your success is the result of your efforts and, at the same time, the starting point for all that you can achieve in the future.” As he emphasised, “At EKO, we will continue to stand alongside Cypriot society and the mountain communities, with consistency, continuity and actions that make a meaningful impact.”


About EKO CYPRUS LIMITED

EKO CYPRUS LIMITED is a wholly owned subsidiary of HELLENiQ ENERGY. The company operates in the import, storage, distribution, and supply of liquid fuels, lubricants, and LPG, both in bulk and in cylinders, to commercial and industrial customers. EKO CYPRUS LIMITED’s retail network firmly holds the leading position in transportation fuels. The company undertook the relocation of petroleum and LPG facilities from the coastal front of Larnaca to Vasilikos, an investment that, upon full development, will exceed €50 million. EKO CYPRUS LIMITED also makes a significant contribution to the job market: more than 1,500 people are employed directly or indirectly by the Company and its partner businesses and service stations operating under the EKO brand.

About HELLENiQ ENERGY

HELLENiQ ENERGY is one of the leading integrated energy groups in Southeastern Europe. It was founded in 1998 as Hellenic Petroleum, with a history that traces back to the first refinery in Greece, established in 1958. Today, it is the largest company in the country and one of the most important in Southeastern Europe in terms of annual revenues. By consistently implementing an ambitious transformation strategy, the Group has emerged as a regional leader in the energy sector, with a presence in 8 countries and continuously expanding international activities.

HELLENiQ ENERGY operates in the production, supply, and trading of all forms of energy, increasingly focusing on new, cleaner energy solutions and Renewable Energy Sources. Its portfolio includes refining, supply and trading of liquid fuels and petrochemical products, hydrocarbon exploration and production, and fuel marketing, while at the same time rapidly expanding its footprint in the renewables sector.

A strategic pillar for HELLENiQ ENERGY is the development of a fully integrated “green” utility. In this direction lies Enerwave — the new name of Elpedison — the company responsible for electricity and natural gas production and supply in Greece.

The new business unit will produce and directly supply the Greek market with electricity, primarily from renewable sources, strengthening the Group’s commitment to a fair, affordable, and secure energy transition.

At the core of HELLENiQ ENERGY’s strategy is the development of its human capital, with the goal of being an employer of choice in the countries where it operates. At the same time, Corporate Responsibility remains one of its key operational pillars, through which the Group designs and implements multifaceted programs to support the younger generation and society at large, positively impacting more than 2 million people every year on an international scale.

HELLENiQ ENERGY is headquartered in Athens, is listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (ticker: ELPE), and maintains a secondary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: HPLD) through Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). www.helleniqenergy.gr

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