HOPEgenesis NPO is a Greek non-profit organization active in the field of medicine and social welfare that addresses the issue of the low birth rate in Greece. We want to draw your attention to the fact that Greece has been moving towards a demographic deadlock and research indicates that the birth-to-death ratio in Greece is negative. It is estimated that by 2050 Greece’s population will have fallen to 8.000.000 citizens from 10.800.000 million today. According to official data from the Greek Ministry of Interior, in 2017, Greece reported 88.132 births compared to 123.079 deaths, resulting in a dramatic population decline.

HOPEgenesis NPO’s vision is to reverse the birth deficit and the main objective is to provide free medical care and treatment to women who are pregnant and live in isolated regions in Greece. In other words, we enable women living in remote areas of the country, regardless of their financial situation, to travel to to one of our Medical Units and be properly monitored during their pregnancies by a team of obstetricians-gynecologists.

Currently, HOPEgenesis NPO operates in 354 areas, 317 villages in the regions of of Karditsa, Kozani, Ioannina, Arta, Evrytania, Fokida, Fthiotida, Viotia, Evia and Thesprotia and 37 islands: Agathonisi, Agios Efstratios, Alonissos, Anafi, Antikythira, Arkioi, Astypalaia, Donousa, Elafonisos, Folegandros, Fournoi, Gavdos, Halki, Irakleia, Kalamos, Kalymnos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Kastos, Kimolos, Koufonisia, Kythnos, Leipsoi, Meganisi, Nisyros, Oinousses, Patmos, Psara, Pserimos, Schinoussa,  Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Skopelos, Skyros, Thimaina, Tilos.

Τhe network of affiliated hospitals of the organization consists of 18 medical centers, whereas the doctors in our program are 82 in 15 different locations throughout Greece.

Up to now, we have supported more than 200 families in areas where the number of births was very low or even zero.

Furthermore, HOPEgenesis offers fertility services in 28 islands, in collaboration with major Greek Fertility Centers, aiming to cover the needs of women who want to become pregnant but due to fertility reasons are not able to. The islands included in this first stage of the program are the following: Agathonisi, Agios Efstratios, Anafi, Antikythira, Arkioi, Chalki, Donousa, Elafonisos, Folegandros, Fournoi, Gavdos, Irakleia, Kalamos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Kastos, Kimolos, Koufonisia, Leipsoi, Meganisi, Nisyros, Oinousses, Psara, Pserimos, Schoinousa, Sikinos, Thymaina, Tilos.

In addition to these actions, HOPEgenesis tries to raise awareness on the demographic issue, by undertaking relevant studies and holding press conferences. At the moment, we are conducting a research in coordination with the Department of Statistics of University of Piraeus regarding the birth deficit phenomenon in Greece from a statistical and economic perspective. Our aim is to analyze the causes of the demographic problem in rural and urban areas and suggest comprehensive solutions to both the Greek Government and to the European Council. Moreover, in cooperation with the medical team of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, we are conducting a survey regarding the social parameters of the birth deficit in Greece.  Lastly, in cooperation with the Economist, HOPEgenesis is organizing the Economist Forum on the Demographic Crisis in Greece, a conference with exceptional speakers and guests from Greece and abroad, which will take place in Athens on December 2019.

We would also like to inform you that the European Parliament awarded HOPEgenesis with the European Citizen’s Prize 2018. This year’s winners are organizations with remarkable social work and this award shows the appreciation of both the Greek MEPs and the EU Parliament’s Central Evaluation Committee. This distinction honors us and gives us the strength to effectively continue our work against the major issue of birth deficit in Greece.

In addition, HOPEgenesis was honored by The Hellenic Initiative (THI) at the THI’s 2019 Annual London Gala on May 2019 for its commitment to women who live in remote, rural areas and its initiative for the revival and the gradual increase of Greece’s population. Moreover, THI financially supported our cause and invited the Greek Diaspora community to support us as well for the benefit of our country.

Kindly note that HOPEgenesis has a 501(c)(3) status, after meeting all necessary requirements by the American Law, therefore US contributions to the organization are tax-deductible: https://kbfus.networkforgood.com/projects/22550-h-kbfus-funds-hopegenesis-npo-gr

At the moment, HOPEgenesis collaborates with more than 200 international, Greek companies, public authorities and major Greek Foundations, such as:

• Vodafone
• Eurolife ERB Insurance Group (Fairfax Company)
• Stoiximan
• Yotis S.A.
• SARACAKIS GROUP OF COMPANIES
• EKO S.A.
• Region of Central Greece
• Stavros Niarchos Foundation
• Bodossaki Foundation
• John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation

HOPEgenesis next steps fall into five basic objectives:

• Operational expansion (free obstetric services) to more areas in need, areas with zero or very few births.
• Raise awareness campaigns.
• Provide clinical health care remotely to the beneficiaries of our program through bluetooth medical devices and a custom-made platform to ensure the safety of the beneficiaries and their babies at all times.
• Pilot programs of daycare centers in HOPEgenesis’ action regions.
• Pilot programs “Grandpa and Grandma of the neighborhood” for children care in urban areas.

Below you may find a descriptive video from our action:

• Motherhood is a right (English subtitles) –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWlFGyhzOu8&t=2s

For more information about ΗOPEgenesis and the demographic problem in Greece please visit: http://hopegenesis.org/en/