TAP AG implements soil studies and financial management training

Having paid in full compensations for the land easement and acquisition in Greece, the project continues to support households affected by the construction of the pipeline, with actions aiming to enhance their existing standards of living.

TAP applies the principles of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as other international standards. Both initiatives have been developed in the robust framework of these rules, in order to ensure that affected households will restore and – improve where possible – their income streams, crop production levels and living standards as compared to before TAP’s construction.

For the soil studies, TAP is collaborating with specialists from the Agricultural University of Athens. The team of scientists produces soil analyses of the affected agricultural land that the pipeline crosses in Greece and has already conducted relevant studies for approximately 18% of TAP’s Greek section (more than 100 km out of the 550 km). The results of these studies will provide TAP with useful information that will assist in the monitoring of the land reinstatement process and in the development of suggestions for improved soil quality.

Once completed, the findings are also shared with land owners and users, together with accompanying proposals for enhancing the productive and added value of their crops, as well as cultivating alternative, yet equally yielding and/or profitable, crops.

The financial management training pertains to seminars implemented with the collaboration of Deloitte, for households affected by the project’s land easement and acquisition process. The training covers topics such as family budgeting and economics; savings and investment options; insurance for farmers; as well as information about tax obligations and deadlines.

The first seminars have been held in Antheia (Alexandroupolis Municipality), Kosmio (Komotini Municipality) and Chrysoupoli (Nestos Municipality). Additional seminars have been scheduled to assist locals in the wider communities along the pipeline route improve their livelihoods.