General direction, Developmental culture, Founder
Sotiris Bolis (1966) studied Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He worked for more than 10 years in information technology and computer engineering with major companies (IBM, Continent, Praktiker, Carrefour, etc.) in Greece and abroad (United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Bulgaria). Since 2004 he works as a consultant in local development, in cooperation with local authorities and development companies. In his objectives included are sustainable rural development, agri-food and gastronomy, alternative tourism, local history, culture and art.
His main interest is the discovery of special characteristics and features of an area and their targeted use in creating and promoting the local identity through a strategy and action plan. Among other things, he has designed and implemented several events and festivals, promoting the local identity of the areas (“Melitzazz” of Leonidio, “Estella festival” of Paralio Astros, “En sirmo” of Diakopto-Kalavryta, “Oinoxeneia” of Aigialeia), all of which have acquired the auspices and support of various ministries and agencies, have received several awards and recognitions and all four have been awarded the label of “European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018”. Some of his projects are presented in conferences and lectures as case studies or used as topics in postgraduate papers on culture and local development.
He has collaborated with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Hellenic Republic, the Region of Peloponnese and various municipalities and development companies in the Peloponnese.
He has created The green travellers team of professionals that work on the design and implementation of projects.
He is the founder of Primarolia NGO and the CEO of the organisation.
Website: www.thegreentravellers.com