Profile
Background
“CALLISTO” is an Environmental NGO (a civil, not-for-profit society), which was founded in Thessaloniki, Greece, in July 2004.
Main activities of CALLISTO include:
▪ Conservation of biodiversity and of areas of high natural and aesthetic value, with emphasis on mountainous ecosystems and forests in Greece, the Balkans and other neighbouring countries.
▪ Study, conservation and management of wild fauna populations, especially of large carnivores (bear, wolf, lynx, jackal) that inhabit the above areas.
▪ Elaboration and implementation of projects for the protection and management of wildlife and the natural environment.
▪ Information, awareness raising, and activation of the public for imposing control on the decision-making centres regarding environmental issues.
▪ Development of environmental education and training programs.
▪ Development of voluntarism to serve conservation actions.
▪ Support for the establishment and operation of Protected Areas and Ecological Networks, in order to preserve biodiversity, as well as the natural and cultural heritage.
▪ Development of scientific research and its applications as well as building national, trans-Balkan and international cooperation and networking for the above purposes
Experience of key staff members in implementation of conservation and environmental projects
The staff members of CALLISTO include experts with long experience and specialisation in the field of nature conservation and practical knowledge on monitoring large carnivore populations (brown bear, wolf) using radio-telemetry and non invasive molecular biology methods.
Members of the society include also experts on other relevant fields: animation of volunteers, regional development, journalism, communication, vocational training.
Participation in National and International Nature Conservation Organisations or Networks
▪ The founding member and General Director/Coordinator of CALLISTO, Mr. Spyros Psaroudas, has been a Council of Europe consultant, Member of the “Committee of experts for the development of the Pan-European Ecological Network (STRA-REP)” and an Alternate Member of the National Committee for Protected Areas in Greece “Nature 2000”, representing the Greek Environmental NGOs from 2002 to 2005. Between March 2008 and March 2010, he was representing the larger Greek Environmental NGOs as full member of the National Steering Committee of the Greek Operational Programme “Environment and Sustainable Development” 2007-2013. From 2003 he is Full Member and from 2006 elected Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Managing Authority of the Rhodopes Mountain Range National Park, representing the Greek Environmental NGOs. He is also Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Park.
▪ The founding member and Head of the Scientific Department of CALLISTO Dr. Giorgos Mertzanis is full member of the Core Group of the Large Carnivore Conservation Initiative for Europe (IUCN/SSG group), which works for the conservation of the five most threatened species of large carnivores in Europe: Brown Bear, Wolf, Eurasian Lynx, Iberian Lynx, and Wolverine. He is also member of the Bear Specialists Group (BSG)/SSC under the IUCN, as well as Alternate Member of the Board of Directors of the Managing Authority of the Northern Pindos National Park, representing the Greek Environmental NGOs. He has been co-ordinating the scientific teams working on the project “Monitoring and assessment of Egnatia highway construction impact on large mammals and their habitats in Grevena Prefecture, Northern Pindos Mountain Range”, financed by the “Egnatia Odos S.A.” (first phase: 2003-2005, second phase: 2007-2009).
▪ The founding member and President of the Management Board of CALLISTO Mr. Constantinos Godes has been co-ordinator of the Balkan Large Carnivores Conservation Network, an informal network that interlinks many experts and NGOs in Greece and the Balkans. He co-ordinated the scientific teams working on the project “Monitoring and assessment of Egnatia Highway Construction Impact on Large Mammals and their Habitats in the Area between the East Opening of the Metsovo Tunnel and the Entrance of the Panagia Tunnel - section 3.5.1/2 of the Egnatia Highway”, financed by the “Egnatia Odos S.A.”. He is member of the Society for Conservation Biology – SCB, and substitute member of the Core of the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe – LCIE.
Completed projects (October 2010)
▪ “Monitoring and assessment of the impact on wolves (Canis lupus) from the construction of a new railway line between Lianokladi & Domokos, Central Greece”. Implementation of this four months project was completed on March 2006. For this work CALLISTO was subcontracted by a consortium of environmental studies offices (source of financing: ERGA OSE S.A., a state owned construction company, which is responsible for all technical works concerning development of the railway network in Greece).
▪ “Development of Cooperation on environmental issues through the Youth Programme” in the framework of the European Programme YOUTH”. This project realised in the Protected Area of the Rhodope Mountain Range in July 2005, and was financed by the Greek General Secretariat of Youth.
▪ “Production of a kit of school education materials about wolves (Canis lupus)”. The activity was performed as a consultancy service one in the framework of the LIFE-Nature Project “Improving Coexistence of Large Carnivores and Agriculture in South Europe” – COEX, N. LIFE04NAT/IT/000144, carried out by the Istituto di Ecologia Applicata (IEA) and co-financed by EU. For this work CALLISTO was subcontracted by IEA.
▪ “Capacity building of staff members of the NGO ERINA with assistance provided by the Greek NGO CALLISTO”. This project, financed by EC/DG Environment, Directorate E.3 “Enlargement and Neighbouring Countries”, lasted from December 2005 to October 2006 concerning consultancy services to the NGO ERINA, based in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
▪ “Guidelines for Population Level Management Plans for Large Carnivores in Europe”: The “Istituto di Ecologia Applicata”, Rome, Italy, who granted by EC/DG ENV for the implementation of this project, offered a contract to CALLISTO, for its contribution to the preparation of the aforementioned guidelines, concerning particularly the Management Plans for Large Carnivores in the South-Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
▪ “Training for the development of international cooperation in environmental issues” in the framework of the European Programme YOUTH”. This project realised in Protected Areas of Gramos and Voio Mountain Ranges, Prefecture of Kastoria, Region of Western Macedonia, in July 2006. It was financed by the Greek General Secretariat of Youth.
▪ “Cultural Egnatia”: The Hellenic Ministry of Culture (beneficiary of a project in the framework of the European Programme “Information Society”) offered a contract to “Callisto”, in order to contribute to the development of a bilingual website including information for the cultural heritage, the natural environment and the today’s culture of the areas the highway connects. The work of “Callisto” (collection of scientific data, preparation of texts and development of a database regarding sites of environmental interest along the Egnatia Highway) was completed on April 2007.
▪ “Development of Cross-Border Cooperation as a Basis for Effective Conservation of Brown Bear Population and Habitats in Western Rhodope Region”. A twelve-month cross-border cooperation project between Bulgarian and Greek NGOs and Municipalities for conservation of brown bear in Western Rhodope. The project was financed by the European programme PHARE and completed successfully in November 2007.
▪ “Application of Environmental Education Programmes in the Rhodope Mountain Range Protected Area”: CALLISTO undertook the task of designing and applying Environmental Education Programmes in the area. The “Management Authority of the Rhodope Mountain Range Protected Area” cooperated with CALLISTO on the implementation of this project in situ, which was completed in June 2008. In the framework of the specific project, CALLISTO implemented 17 environmental education programs in the protected area of Rhodope Mountain Range, in cooperation with the Managing Authority, the Municipality of Paranesti and the local Environmental Education Centre. More than 700 students participated in these programmes.
▪ “Institutional entrenchment and legal status for the Protected Areas in the Balkans and in the European-wide networks”: Organisation of a one-week international seminar on the “Legal and Institutional status of the Protected Areas and the Management Authorities established by the Balkan states”. Participants of the seminar will be fifty (50) young people that will be selected by nine (9) organisations from seven (7) Balkan countries: Greece (“Callisto” NGO), Bulgaria ( “Rhodope- a mountain for everyone” NGO, EcoArk NGO and “Agrolink” Association), the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (“Erina” - Journalists’ Legal Environmental Center), Albania (EDEN - Environmental Center for Development, Education and Networking), Bosnia & Herzegovina (“Livno” Youth Center), Croatia (Biology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb), and Serbia (Young Researchers of Serbia). The seminar implemented in March 2008, and its cost was covered by a grant provided to “Callisto” by the European Programme “YOUTH”, Action 3.1.2.
▪ “Awareness Raising and Information Campaign for the Mountain Ecosystems and Large Carnivores in the Transborder Area of Rhodope”. Implementation period: November 2005 – September 2008. For the implementation of this project, CALLISTO was financially supported by the EC (European Initiative INTERREG III A, Greece/Bulgaria) and by national funding. CALLISTO accomplished successfully the following tasks/actions in the framework of this project: (1) Elaboration of a joint plan for the promotion of tourist destinations of natural value and aesthetic interest; (2) Joint information campaign on coexistence of large carnivores (brown bear, wolf) with rural people; (3) Publication of a book on large carnivores and printing-dissemination of posters, leaflets, and other information material; (4) Publication and circulation of a newsletter concerning transborder mountain areas and large carnivores; (5) Production-circulation of TV spots and articles/news releases to the media; (6) Setup and operation of a website promoting the project tasks; (7) Organisation of daily meetings and participation in public events and exhibitions; and, (8) Awareness and Information actions supported by volunteers in the project area
▪ “Actions for Increasing Employment with active participation of NGOs – FIRST CIRCLE”. A twelve-month programme funded by the European Social Fund and the Greek Ministry for Employment and Social Protection. In the framework of this programme CALLISTO implemented the following Action Plans: (1) «Networking of Teachers, Pupils and Parents for promoting Environmental Awareness Raising, in Municipality of Eleftherio-Kordelio, Prefecture of Thessaloniki», (2) «Awareness Raising and Application of Prevention Measures in Areas Recently Decolonized by Brown Bear», (3) «Information of Animal Breeders and Visitors on Implementation of Management Actions for Minimizing Conflicts between Large Carnivores and Humans in the Protected Area of Rhodope Mountain Range», (4) «Awareness Raising Campaign with participation of Volunteers for Mountain Ecosystems of the Kastoria Prefecture, NW Greece» and (5) «Intervention actions for Protection of Riparian Ecosystems around Pineios River, Thessaly».
▪ “Actions for Increasing Employment with active participation of NGOs – SECOND CIRCLE”. A ten-month programme having similar content with the previous set of actions implemented by CALLISTO (see “Actions for Increasing Employment with active participation of NGOs – FIRST CIRCLE” above). It was also funded by the European Social Fund and the Greek Ministry for Employment and Social Protection. In the framework of this programme CALLISTO implemented the following two Action Plans: (1) «Awareness Actions and Motivation of Volunteers for Environmental Sensitisation of local Farmers, Animal Breeders and Visitors in Sidironero, Drama» and (2) «Interventions for Protection of Protected Areas in Western Thessaly». Implementation period: 1/3/08 – 31/12/08.
▪ “Master Plan for minimization of the habitats fragmentation caused by road construction and accompanying works”: CALLISTO won contract from the Hellenic Ministry for Environment, Land Planning and Public Works, after a relevant public tender. The study, which was completed in 2008, was financed in the framework of the Measure “Technical Assistance” of the Operational Programme “Environment 2000-2006”, and has been contributed substantially to the development of technical standards for minimization of the impact of highways on wildlife, especially mammals.
▪ “Consolidating the civil society on the Balkans for effective implementation of the environmental acquis””. The Bulgarian NGO “EcoArk” asked from “CALLISTO” to participate as partner in this project, aiming at capacity building of the EcoArk NGO and its local partners to help reconcile the interests of the tourist industry with the principles for conservation and sustainable use of the natural resources in areas of high biological diversity in the Rodopi Mountain Range. Specifically, CALLISTO provided staff members / experts who participated in the implementation of the Project and in the Seminar “Strengthening the capacity of environmental NGOs for successful nature conservation actions - Sustainable tourism development” held in Smiljan, Bulgaria, 28/7-30/7/2008.
▪ “Protection of Forests and forest-fire prevention with the active participation of volunteers”. This project was implemented in co-operation with WWF-Greece and a local NGO named “Pindos Perivallontiki”. Groups of volunteers were trained, animated and co-ordinated for organizing complementary to the Forestry Service wardening activities in Northern Pindos (Valia Calda) and Grammos Mountain Range, Western Macedonia. CALLISTO’s activities were sponsored by Latsis Foundation and OTE, the Greek Telecommunication National Company. The project was implemented between July and September 2008.
▪ «Monitoring of Wildlife in the National Park of Northern Pindos». CALLISTO was selected as beneficiary of a grant provided by the National Operational Programme “Environment” through the Management Authority of the Northern Pindos National Park, after a relevant public tender. CALLISTO provided the Park Authorities with the following services: (1) Inventory on and evaluation of the conservation status of the most important animal species and its habitats within the Park (including distribution and population numbers); (2) Development of a proper framework (platform, standard forms, databases etc.) for the future monitoring of the most important animal species within the Park; and (3) Recommendations for implementation of conservation actions concerning the most important animal species and its habitats in the Northern Pindos National Park. The project implemented between May and December 2008.
▪ “Exchange of experience and cooperation with Albania, on awareness raising and sensitization of local people on issues related with nature conservation”. In cooperation with a Consultants Company (“NEXT.COM”), CALLISTO won a contract from the Management Authority of the Northern Pindos National Park, funded by the INTERREG IIIA Greece-Albania programme, after a relevant public tender. In the framework of this project CALLISTO undertook the following tasks: (1) Preparation of a report on the National Park of Hotova (Albania) including information on important features of the natural environment and wildlife in the area. The report was used as main input for the printing of informative leaflets and the preparation of a multimedia application, in both English and Greek languages; (2) Preparation of an advisory report on the proper management of the National Park of Hotova including guidelines on the conservation of the Park; (3) Preparation of guidelines for the development of a Management Plan of the National Park of Hotova; (4) Participation in three meetings, one in Greece (N. Pindos N.P.) and two in Albania (Hotova N.P.), which were held in order to provide technical and scientific consultation to the Management Authority of the Hotova N.P. The project implemented between June and November 2008.
▪ “Monitoring and assessment of Egnatia Highway’s Construction Impact on Large Mammals and their Habitats in the Area between the East Opening of the Metsovo Tunnel and the Entrance of the Panagia Tunnel - segment 3.5.1/2 of the Egnatia Highway” (2007-2009): CALLISTO was subcontracted by the state owned EGNATIA ODOS S.A. Construction Company (sources of financing: Greek Government - Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Land Planning & Public Works, and European Commission - EC/DG Regio). The project completed successfully in February 2009.
▪ “Monitoring and assessment of Egnatia Highway’s construction and operation impact on large mammals and their habitats in the area between Panagia and Grevena (segment 4.1)” (2006-2009): CALLISTO co-ordinated the implementation of the project and monitored-assessed the impact on large carnivores. The NGO ARCTUROS participated also monitoring-assessing the impact on ungulates. For the necessary works, in Grevena Prefecture, Northern Pindos Mountain Range, CALLISTO was subcontracted by the state owned EGNATIA ODOS S.A. Construction Company (sources of financing: Greek Government - Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Land Planning & Public Works, and European Commission - EC/DG Regio). The project completed successfully in March 2009.
▪ “Awareness Raising Campaign for Conservation of Large Carnivores in Greece and their Coexistence with Humans” (2007-2008): A fourteen-month project, approved for a grant in the framework of the Operational Programme “Environment” (EPPER III) financed by the EC (75%) and the Greek Government (25%). Main actions of this project included printing information material, organization of public events and meetings, and production of a 50’ minutes video film, covering topics such as prevention of damages made by large carnivores on agriculture, and mitigation measures for minimising the impact of roads on large carnivores. The project completed successfully in December 2009.