On February 25, we organized a double online event to present the results of the projects of last year. In the Greek event we were honored by the participation of more than 130 people from collaborating organizations, members, volunteers and friends of ARCHELON from Greece. Later, in the English event, we got together with more than 300 volunteers and friends from abroad. The Over &Above Awards were presented to 30 people at the end of both events. For without them 2020 would have been even more difficult and perhaps more disappointing.

"These awards are a nominal thank you to those who came to our minds immediately. I apologize in advance to those we did not mention, because this year, in 2020, all those who offered to help, deserve the Award". said Thomas Arapis, President of ARCHELON. "We are grateful not only to those who were mentioned, but also to all the volunteers, the friends of and the members of ARCHELON who helped in Zakynthos and Kyparissiakos, the enthusiastic local volunteers in the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, in Lakonikos and Koroni, in Chania and Messara in Crete".

The unexpected pandemic made it difficult for people to be physically present on the nesting beaches and at the Rescue Center. Now that the overall picture of ARCHELON's actions for 2020 has been assessed, the difference with previous years is clear. So how many people helped with their physical presence in 2020?

The total number of volunteers last year reached 132. The number includes those who participated in the field programs and at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Center on a daily basis for 4 weeks or more. Volunteers from the United Kingdom represent 20%, followed by those from France and Greece with 18% respectively and 16% came from Germany.

"Over 70% of the volunteers came from countries of the European Union ", observes Hara Papailiou, Volunteer Officer of ARCHELON. "In the summer of 2020, most internships were canceled by educational institutions abroad, but we had the participation of internship students from Greek universities", she continues.

The special value that the physical presence of people brings in our actions continues in 2021. The voluntary projects for 2021 have opened and we are waiting for your applications. For reasons of protection from COVID-19, in the projects on the nesting beaches we accept participations from abroad for 5 weeks or more. For the Greek speakers who are in Greece the minimal participation period is 3 weeks. At the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Rescue Center we accept participations from abroad for 5 weeks or more for the same reasons.

More information https://www.archelon.gr/eng/volunt.php?mid=2