Stavros Niarchos Foundation donates 6.7 million euros to Hellenic Armed Forces

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) has announced its approval of a 1.7 million euro grant that will go towards the Hellenic Army Academy and 5 million euros for new medical equipment at the Military Hospital in Athens, totalling 6.7 million euros.

SNF’s Co-president Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos, and representatives attended tactical exercises at the Hellenic Army General Staff – Engineer Directorate in the presence of the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis.

The visit was part of the Foundation’s evaluation of its recent grants towards the Armed Forces.

The tactical exercise is a multidisciplinary program highlighting the important role of the Armed Forces in supporting society in emergency situations.

“We would like to thank the staff of the Engineer Directorate for the program, which demonstrated the multidimensional role of the Army, as well as the high level of staff training. The social aspect of the Army’s role is not limited to emergency situations, but it actively supports the development of local communities as well. As such, any further utilization of the Army’s existing services and forces can positively contribute to the empowerment of Greek society and its citizens,” said Mr. Dracopoulos.

As part of its grant-making activity and support of Greek Society, the SNF’s Board of Directors recently approved a grant totalling €1.7 million for the complete renovation of the Hellenic Army Academy’s five dormitory buildings. In addition, the grant supports the Academy’s educational programs, specifically the participation of Cadets and Officers in foreign exchange programs and MA Degrees in collaboration with the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The activities of the Academy, in addition to teaching Military Science, include research in related applied sciences, as well as the social, cultural and political education of its students. Graduates of the Academy have distinguished themselves not only as Army Officers but also as top-level scientists. It is worth noting that the first civil engineers, as well as the first professors in Physics and Mathematics, came from the Academy’s ranks before the relevant faculties in Greek Universities were established.

In addition, the SNF has provided a grant totalling €5 million for the purchase of equipment, as well as the restoration and expansion of the Radiotherapy Department at the 401 Military Hospital of Athens. The SNF grant covers, among other things, the purchase and installation of two new state-of-the-art linear accelerators.

The 401 Military Hospital of Athens is the biggest military hospital in Greece, with a staff of 1,000 members and a capacity of 550 beds. In addition to military personnel, the Hospital’s Radiotherapy Department is accessible to the public, who account for 60% of all patients using the department’s services. The services of the two new linear accelerators, covered by the SNF grant, will be accessible to the general public.

*Source: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)