ATHENS, Greece—“Back to the origins” is the philosophy Dimitris Tsoukalas, employed to win the battle against anarchy that was overwhelming his village 15 years ago.
Tsoukalas is the mayor of Greece village, Anavra. In the 1990s, he created a model of what other Greek governors now hope to see expand across Greece—a green economy.
By taking advantage of every opportunity that the European Union and national programs offered, the village today has zero unemployment, the population has doubled to roughly 800 people, and locals are earning an annual income ranging from 30,000–100,000 euros ($42,000–140,000) from his technological and nature-based initiatives.
The village has three modern husbandry parks, making animal breeding the primary source of income. Its wind farm earns approximately $140,000 per year by selling its surplus electricity to the Public Power Corporation of Greece, where Tsoukalas used to be a top executive.
Anavra also has an environmental and culture park promoting the area’s well-preserved natural beauty, eons-old trees, water sources, and rock bridges.
The left wing PASOK party of Greece, would like to see such a green model spread across the country. At their 12th Annual Symi Symposium held on July 12, the party discussed how if such methods were used in villages and islands around the country, the whole economic situation in Greece could change tremendously. Greece could lead Europe in producing and selling alternative energy, helping countries which have limited power facilities of their own.
The village’s next projects include a hydro electricity plant, an animal manure and woodchip-fed biomass teleheating system, processed livestock products, and cultural constructions such as 17th century rock bridges.
Anavra is located on the western side of Mount Othrys, at an elevation of approximately 2,600 feet. The closest towns are Larisa, Magnisia, and Fthiotida.
Tsoukalas is the mayor of Greece village, Anavra. In the 1990s, he created a model of what other Greek governors now hope to see expand across Greece—a green economy.
By taking advantage of every opportunity that the European Union and national programs offered, the village today has zero unemployment, the population has doubled to roughly 800 people, and locals are earning an annual income ranging from 30,000–100,000 euros ($42,000–140,000) from his technological and nature-based initiatives.
The village has three modern husbandry parks, making animal breeding the primary source of income. Its wind farm earns approximately $140,000 per year by selling its surplus electricity to the Public Power Corporation of Greece, where Tsoukalas used to be a top executive.
Anavra also has an environmental and culture park promoting the area’s well-preserved natural beauty, eons-old trees, water sources, and rock bridges.
The left wing PASOK party of Greece, would like to see such a green model spread across the country. At their 12th Annual Symi Symposium held on July 12, the party discussed how if such methods were used in villages and islands around the country, the whole economic situation in Greece could change tremendously. Greece could lead Europe in producing and selling alternative energy, helping countries which have limited power facilities of their own.
The village’s next projects include a hydro electricity plant, an animal manure and woodchip-fed biomass teleheating system, processed livestock products, and cultural constructions such as 17th century rock bridges.
Anavra is located on the western side of Mount Othrys, at an elevation of approximately 2,600 feet. The closest towns are Larisa, Magnisia, and Fthiotida.
