On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the non-profit organization Safe Water Sports, in collaboration with the Municipality of Mytilene and with the valuable support of Eurobank—a long-standing supporter of initiatives with strong social impact—organized a special awareness event focused on enhancing safety in aquatic environments and preventing drownings.

The event, titled “Safe Access to the Sea – Presentation of the Safe Water Sports App for Accessible Beaches for PwDs,” took place at the Old Town Hall of Mytilene, in the presence of representatives of the Municipality of Mytilene. The aim was to present the new section of the Safe Water Sports app, which allows users to locate and search for beaches throughout Greece that are accessible to persons with disabilities (PwDs).

Through this event, participants had the opportunity to learn about the app’s new feature, which enables the mapping and display of beaches accessible to people with disabilities—thus promoting equal access to the sea and enhancing swimmer safety.

During his address, the President & Founder of Safe Water Sports, Mr. Panagiotis Paschalakis, emphasized:

“This new section of the Safe Water Sports app significantly enhances the existing platform. It is aimed at everyone—tourists and residents alike—people with disabilities or elderly individuals with mobility challenges, with the goal of presenting a comprehensive framework for safe and accessible seaside enjoyment for all. It is the shared duty of the State, local authorities, private stakeholders, and civil society to support such initiatives that not only promote safety and awareness but also make Greece an accessible and welcoming destination for all.”

Mr. Paschalakis expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Municipality of Mytilene and Eurobank for their support of this initiative, highlighting the Bank’s consistent and active role in promoting social equity and accessibility. He also warmly thanked Paralympic swimming champion and Safe Water Sports ambassador Antonis Tsapatakis for his ongoing support of the organization’s work and for championing this specific initiative.

Mr. Panagiotis Kardasis, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility & Special Projects at Eurobank, stated:

“Accessibility is not merely a social responsibility for us—it is a fundamental pillar of our strategy toward an inclusive society. Our support for the new section of the Safe Water Sports app reflects this commitment: to contribute to a world where everyone, regardless of physical or other limitations, enjoys equal opportunities—including the right to carefree moments by the sea. At Eurobank, we continuously invest in initiatives with real impact, and we are especially proud of the contribution of Paralympic swimmer and Eurobank accessibility ambassador Antonis Tsapatakis, whose work helps shape policies and tools that truly make a difference.”

At the end of the event, a specially produced video featuring Antonis Tsapatakis was presented, highlighting this new initiative.

The Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, had been invited to attend the event. The Ministry was represented by a member of the Hellenic Coast Guard.

The new section of the Safe Water Sports app is already available through the platform, aiming to improve the everyday life of citizens with disabilities and their families, as well as to inform visitors to Greece.