Deloitte Prepares Action Plan to Revive Population on Chalki Island

Chalki island, Greece. Photo source: Visit Greece

International services network Deloitte has agreed to support the Municipality of Chalki in its efforts to increase the population on the remote Greek island.

The isle of Chalki in the Dodecanese is hoping through the implementation of the plan, prepared pro bono by Deloitte, to revive the historic settlement of “Horio” by increasing the permanent population. Horio is a historic settlement which has suffered neglect and abandonment while remaining one of the island’s key attractions.

In this direction, Deloitte has undertaken to develop a strategic plan for the revitalization of the settlement as well as a study on the socio-economic impacts should the plan be implemented.

The project is part of Deloitte’s Corporate Social Responsibility actions on the back of a similar pro bono study prepared for the island of Astypalea under the “Astypalea 4.0” program in collaboration with Axion Hellas for the sustainable development of the island.

“We are very pleased for both the social and economic impact on the inhabitants of our island and on the environment. This innovative project, will not only benefit Chalki’s population but will also attract new residents, [the island] will be revived and become a model not only for Greece but for Europe,” said Chalki Mayor Angelos Fragakis.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Chalki. Photo source: @PrimeMinisterGR

Last year, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis launched the national GR-eco Islands initiative aiming to kickstart the energy-saving transition of the country’s islands starting from Chalki. The government hopes through the pilot project to establish sustainable and energy efficient island communities, address climate change and lead the way in sustainable development and innovation. Chalki is set to serve as model for other islands to follow.

Among others, Deloitte will assess the current condition of buildings and possible uses, road infrastructure, electricity network, telecommunication reach, monuments of archaeological interest, and identify long-term strategic goals for the development of Horio formulating a model of sustainable economic development based not only on tourism, but also on sustainable agrifood, processing and services, as well as identify a “target population” willing to live on the island.