Working meetings of particular importance concerning the sustainability of communities in Messinia threatened with desertification were held on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in Diavolitsi, Zeugolation, and Desylla. The meetings were held as part of the ANIMA TERRA initiative of the cultural organization “Roads of the Olive Tree,” and the representation of the three communities was impressive.
Specifically, the first working meeting in Diavolitsi was attended by the President of the Local Community of Diavolitsi, Ms Olga Bourani; the writer Mr Efthymios Alexopoulos (MY Social Cooperative Enterprise); Ms Antonia Katerina Xourafa; the President of the Parents and Guardians Association of Diavolitsi, Ms Ioanna Dimopoulou; Ms Christina Boutri; Ms Monika Pistoli; and Ms Olympia Antonakopoulou.
The second working meeting in Zevgolatio was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Oichalia, Mr Kostas Dimitrakopoulos; the Vice President of the Community of Zevgolatio, Ms Panagiota Karabatou, Managing Director of the Zevgolatio pasteli company EYMELIN; Mr Kyriakos Paraskevopoulos, owner of the emblematic Station Café of Zevgolatio; and educator Mr Panagiotis Tsotsos.
The third working meeting took place in the community of Desylla, with the participation of members of the local group #WeLoveDesylla and its founding member, Mr Marios Gkrogkos.
During the meetings, the objectives of the ANIMA TERRA initiative, as well as the expectations and needs of the three communities, were discussed. Linked by the railway line that once connected them and gave them life, the discussion revolved around three main pillars:
- Cultural Promotion: Showcasing the history and traditions of the communities to a broader international audience.
- Sustainable Development: Utilizing local heritage in ways that respect the environment and society.
- International Networking: Creating communication channels with other Mediterranean communities for the exchange of know-how and best practices.
The representatives of the communities expressed their strong interest in cooperating with an internationally recognized organization such as The Olive Routes Cultural Organization and in joining the ANIMA TERRA network, considering it a significant opportunity to promote their communities and their comparative advantages. They unanimously agreed to immediately initiate the collaboration, emphasizing that the participation of people who work, collaborate, and share a common vision proves that there is still hope for villages and rural areas to remain vibrant and to maintain the place they deserve in the cultural and social landscape.
The desire for a shared path is formalized through Cooperation Agreements between The Olive Routes Cultural Organization – ANIMA TERRA and the three communities, laying the foundations for strengthening their sustainable future through new actions and proposals in cultural tourism and ecotourism.
