MICHANIKI today has sponsored 24 regional villages in the Florina province (northern Greece) where construction projects along with cultural and social activities focus on improving the quality of life of the local communities, particularly the younger generation.
Similar activities are taking place in the Thrace region, in northern Greece. While promoting the region’s economic development, MICHANIKI is also addressing challenges faced by the minorities in Greece, like the Roma and Pomakoi (Bulgarian speaking Greeks). In this aim the company founded the Cultural-Athletic Center of Drosero in the city of Xanthi.
In order to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Greeks of southern Albania (Northern Epirus), MICHANIKI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, founded a Cultural Center in Koritsa, Albania. This Center housed the Koritsa Greek Language Preparatory Center and the “Adelfotita” (brotherhood) social club. The aim of the Cultural Center is to establish channels of communication and enhance opportunities for cultural, athletic and educational activities.
MICHANIKI has also responded to hardship caused by natural disasters. A recent example was the donation of 40 homes in the municipality of Aharnon-Attica to relieve the pain caused by the deadly September 9, 1999 earthquake that hit Athens.
The company’s Chairman, Prodromos Emfietzoglou has shown keen interest on supporting cultural development and social causes in the region of Macedonia, Thrace as well as in other Greek communities abroad.The Chairman’s concerns with regards to Greece’s demographic problem has resulted in specific actions to provide assistance for large families with more than three children, and the support of young couples especially in the remote areas of Greece.
Orthodoxy and Greece’s Christian heritage is another facet of Prodromos Emfietzoglou’s social contribution. His support of the convents of Agion Oros (Mount Athos) is reflected in the renovation of the Pantokrator Monastery, which serves as the library and conservatory of Byzantine icons, relics and artifacts, as well as the construction of a port at the Esfigmenou Monastery.
Moreover, he has contributed to the development of the Balkans through the settlement of problems in Eastern Europe, while he has represented the European Union in the cooperation meetings of the Union with Russia.
It was Prodromos Emfietzoglou’s idea to create a North – South highway from Helsinki-St Petersburg-Moscow-Kiev-Bucurest to Alexandroupoli that was later adopted by the European Union as the Intereuropean path with the title: No IX.
The group’s support of social causes extends beyond Greek borders. In Ukraine, MICHANIKI has established a cultural center for Greek communities in Marioupolis. Similar support is offered to the Greek communities in Bulgaria and Moldova.
