BUSINESS: 477 PRACTICES
Founded in 1998, HELLENiQ ENERGY (https://www.helleniqenergy.gr/en) is one of the leading energy groups in South East Europe, with presence in 6 countries and activities spanning across the energy value chain, namely: oil refining and fuel marketing, exploration and production, renewable energy sources, petrochemicals, power and gas.
The study, planning and implementation of the Playgrounds were done with the basic concern of their accessibility and safe use, mainly by children with special needs and disabilities, so that they never feel lonely and less happy than their other peers.
In addition to being practical, this move also has a symbolic value, as a playground, accessible to all, provides equal opportunities and inclusion in society and promotes coexistence, acceptance and integration of diversity in everyone's everyday life.
At the same time, Renewable Energy technologies were used for the construction, setting as a priority the reduction of their environmental footprint.
This specific donation is another targeted initiative of the ELPE Group to improve the quality of life of the residents of local communities and to optimize their infrastructure with RES technologies.
- Children with special needs
-Parents/caregivers of children with disabilities
-Local community
The project took seven months to complete in December 2021.
The offer and the responsible attitude of the HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group and its subsidiary companies towards society are an integral part of its business course and operation since its foundation. In this context, emphasis is systematically placed on the support of vulnerable and vulnerable groups, with the aim of upgrading their quality of life.
The construction of three (3) fully equipped playgrounds, in the Municipalities of Aspropyrgos, Elefsina and Ampelokipi - Menemeni, for children with disabilities, is an initiative of the HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group, in the context of the actions and events for the 200th Anniversary of the Revolution, which is under the auspices of the "Greece 2021" Committee. This is because, apart from meeting a practical need, accessible playgrounds symbolically embody modern Greece as a society that is constantly progressing, with values such as respect, acceptance and the need to all evolve together, without inequalities and exclusions.
The Group, showing respect for the children of the local communities and their needs, offered three new playgrounds, which were designed and built with the strictest criteria. The special equipment is designed for individual or group play of minors with disabilities. The specifications, regarding the safety requirements of instruments, safety equipment and their installation, have received certification of compliance with the applicable standards in their entirety. In particular, all the play equipment and the corresponding falling surfaces in all three playgrounds have been manufactured in accordance with the applicable technical specifications (EN 71, EN 11756, EN 1177 standards) and the play equipment meets the specifications provided for in the ELOT EN 1176 series of standards :2017. At the same time, during their creation, Renewable Energy Technologies were used, such as the solar lights that annihilate the operating costs for the Municipalities, acting as a permanent reminder of the need to save energy. In addition, special waste bins were installed for use by people with disabilities, environmentally friendly, which operate through a photovoltaic panel. These bins are activated automatically and only during their use, so that the user's contact with the bin is zero and at the same time the maximum possible energy saving is ensured.
For the implementation of the project, the HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group collaborated with its subsidiary companies, ASPROFOS TECHNICAL COMPANY SA. and ELPE APE S.A., which always support the strategic direction of the Group and its approach in the context of Corporate Responsibility actions.
The inauguration of the three playgrounds took place in December 2021, in the presence of the local governments and executives of the HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group. The presence of the President of HELLENIC PETROLEUM, Mr. Yiannis Papathanasiou, was honorable, and he said: "The ELPE Group is constantly present where needed, with actions that contribute to the continuous improvement of conditions in local communities. The delivery of modern, perfect and fully accessible playgrounds in three municipalities neighboring our facilities is one of the many actions of the Group that prove in practice and not in words that we are interested in improving the daily life of citizens in the areas where the heart of our activities is located. In this particular case, our satisfaction is twofold, because our offer is addressed to the most valuable members of our society, the children."
The President of the "Greece 2021" Committee, Ms. Gianna Angelopoulou - Daskalaki, said: "The specific initiative of the company "Hellenic Petroleum" to create children's playgrounds accessible to the disabled is of great importance to the Committee. And that's because from the first moment it was requested for us to carry out actions that would leave an important legacy, not only in infrastructure but mainly in attitudes and attitudes. Therefore, the implementation of actions that address the exclusion of vulnerable groups, especially when it comes to children, is of enormous importance. They remove barriers from people's lives, making it easier for them to integrate and develop their talents and skills. It was one of the actions whose implementation gave us particular joy and the company deserves warm congratulations for the sensitivity it showed by supporting it."
The three new disabled playgrounds welcome children with disabilities and have:
Alongside the playground of the Municipality of Elefsina, the ELPE Group renovated an existing playground located next to the playground for children with disabilities, while all the above playgrounds are adjacent to other sports areas, so that children can coexist and play together.
These three new playgrounds promote creative and experiential play, with an emphasis on full accessibility for children with special needs, creating spaces for interaction and shared play for all children, with total respect for diversity and disability. The interventions that took place give new life to the areas, as modern places of hospitality and inclusiveness for children and parents of the wider area of each Municipality.
With this initiative, not only has the daily life of citizens in the areas where the Group operates improved, but it also leaves a huge legacy, both in terms of infrastructure and attitudes. The implementation of actions that address the exclusion of vulnerable groups, especially when it comes to children, is of great importance. They remove barriers from people's lives, making it easier for them to integrate and develop their talents and skills.
The impact is multifaceted and important, especially for children with special needs who enjoy playing and creating, but also for parents who are now empowered to provide their children with entertainment safely.
The employees of the Group and its subsidiary companies, who participated in this important project, responded immediately and efficiently, understanding their role in an organization with a sense of responsibility towards Society.
The ELPE Group is constantly present where needed, with actions that contribute to the continuous improvement of the conditions of the local community. With this initiative, the Group proves in action and not just in words that it is interested in improving the daily life of citizens in the areas where it operates. Also, with this initiative, the Group proves in practice that it harmonizes its business activities with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by prioritizing Safety, Health and Environmental Protection (reducing the environmental footprint).
Interventions that promote creative and experiential play, but also values such as respect, acceptance and the need to all develop together, without inequalities and exclusions, demonstrate not only the role of the HELLENIC PETROLEUM Group as a responsible Social Partner, but also the significant benefits which are created for a sensitive part of society such as that of children with disabilities.
