The Egnatia Epirus Foundation

is a non-profit organization that was established in 1991 in the city of Ioannina, and aims at contributing to the integrated development of the region of Epirus through innovative activities compatible with the environment and the cultural heritage of the region. The founding objectives of the Foundation are: the support of the Arts and Letters and the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of Epirus, the promotion of advanced communication networks through the use of new technologies in the areas of telecommunications, information technologies and transport and the rational exploitation of the natural and human resources of the area. In order to achieve its objectives, the Foundation collaborates with persons and legal entities located both inside and outside Epirus. The Foundation’s working capital is derived from donations, endowments, Greek government and European Union subsidies, its own activities and assets in Greece and abroad. The Foundation is governed by a 5-member Board of Directors, whose Chairman is the former Mayor of Metsovo and former Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Yiannis Averoff. Receptive to new ideas, the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation created and operates an electronic information system, accessible via the Internet, intended for Epirots living in Greece and abroad and all those interested in learning more about the Region. EPIRUS CONNECTION (www.epcon.gr) contains reliable and up-to-date information on topics related to the Region of Epirus, as well as themes of general interest. The information is updated on a regular basis, depending on the subject category and enriched in order to provide better coverage.

Some of the categories presented at EPCON include a news section with regional and local political news, scientific, literary, cultural & social events and sports, as well as a weekly newsletter, which provides a quick overview of the latest news. In addition, the visitor may find a list of local organizations, Epirot recipes and desserts, Epirot music and folk songs, information on education, scholarships, studies and institutions as well as tourist information in terms of accommodation, restaurants, sights and transportation. Furthermore, the EPCON group prepares web pages and banners for anyone interested in advertising his/her products or activities. True to tradition, EPCON set up an online shop with products from the Region of Epirus, including crafts, jewelry and publications about Epirus.

EASYCRAFT: In an effort to familiarize professional craftspeople and anyone related with the crafts sector with the new information and communication technologies, the World Crafts Council (WCC) decided to create an innovative platform that would offer a wide variety of services to all actors in the crafts sector. In the framework of a European program, entitled IST Programme and in collaboration with WCC organizations, the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation implemented the Easycraft project, based on three objectives: to offer all European craftspeople a tool that would meet the demands of the crafts sector, to familiarize craftspeople with the use of computers and Internet, following a method that would be adjusted to their needs and to sensitize the entangled bodies, regarding the necessity of using new technologies. Easycraft’s philosophy focuses on bringing together all the related actors in the crafts sector through the use of an easy-to-use portal, where all friends of crafts and arts could exchange expertise and know-how, exhibit or sell their creations through the e-shop, communicate and make their activities known to the world. In addition, Easycraft members have access to a wealth of information on events and exhibitions, communication tools (chat, forum) and experts, covering legal and commercial issues.