The REGIONAL UNION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF EPIRUS (GREECE) is a not for profit organisation of local authorities, the aims of which include:

• collaboration with institutions and bodies of Local and Regional Authorities of the European Union and international organizations and countries,
• cooperation with organisations in the public and private sector who are active in local government issues: culture, decentralisation and development,
• participation in institutions and organizations, planning, helping and supporting initiatives that strengthen decentralisation, local development, culture , economy and tourism,
• participation in actions and measures for the improvement of life, environmental protection and social cohesion.

PED EPIRUS is staffed by university and postgraduate scientists with extensive experience, and uses extra assistance of external partners - experts from various disciplines required for the implementation of national and European programmes.

Connection with dry stone

Stone structures are a "trademark" of the Epirus region.. Traditional (stone) settlements, bridges and dry stone structures, both ancient and modern, constitute our natural and human environment. We have a duty to preserve this particular environment and, above all, to highlight it. As an important element of our cultural and tourism product, it must be an element of the sustainable environmental management of our area.

Our organisation has been systematically engaged in the preservation and enhancement of the landscape and stone buildings. In the framework of European projects it has implemented many transnational projects (stone bridges, traditional settlements, stone and tradition, promotion of mountain areas and their characteristics, traditional stone construction techniques, training of young people in dry stone construction etc.).

PED Epirus manages information systems, conducts workshops, conferences and seminars on the subject. It has published works on the inventory and promotion of stone monuments.

Finally, it coordinates collaboration networks of national, regional and local bodies (local government, universities, education and training structures, professional bodies, local and voluntary organizations, etc.), with the aim of promoting such techniques and exploiting them for tourism and environmental sustainability.

www.pedepirus.gr