History

The GGA becomes a probationary member of the World Association of Guides.

The GGA disbands out of its own will because it refuses to violate its principles and to accept the interference of the Metaxas’ dictatorship in its programme and administration.

The GGA starts operating again.

First post-war Training of Leaders in Dionysus district.

• Establishment of the Sea Guides Troops.
• 1^st Panhellenic Conference of Commissioners.

• The GGA becomes a Regular Member of the World Association of Guides.
• The Chief Guide Olave Baden-Powell visits Greece.

1^st Conference of Leaders with a Diploma.

• Lena Zariffi is elected Member of the World Council – She is the first Greek woman in this office.
• Experimental Service Camp at Vatolakos, in Kozani.
• Establishment of Troops for children with special needs.
• 1^st International Congress of Women Trainers is held in Greece.

He “Donald Ross” International Award is nominated to the Guides of Zakynthos and Kefalonia islands for “showing spontaneity, composure and initiative in carrying our duties” during the earthquakes in the Ionian Islands.

Voluntary Services Competition launched in memory of Antonis Benakis.

“Hellenic Land” International Camp held in Agia Marina, Attica.

• The 17^th World Congress of Guides is held in Greece and the Chief Guide Olave Baden-Powell visits our country for the 2^nd
• Dora Vourloumi is elected President of the World Council.

The GGA is awarded the Academy of Athens Silver Medal for its 30 years of social activity.

1^st  Panhellenic Conference of  Women Trainers.

“Irini Tsimbouki” award is established on issues of Countryside, Sports, Kilometres of Love, Year of Friendship and Greek Treasures.

• The “Donald Ross” International Award is awarded to the Region of Thessaly for its contribution to three villages through the “Kilometres of Love” programme.
• Fani Hartoulari is elected Member of the World Council.

During the dictatorship emphasis was placed on the self-management of the Troops and a book was published to this end

• Experimental “Happy Forests” (Birds Branch Camps) in Agia Marina, Attica.
• International “Service Camp” (Senior Guides Branch Camp) in Asprokklisia village, in Kalambaka.

“Progress Marathon”, a programme designed to motivate personal progress.

Panhellenic motivation initiated by the GGA for the shipment of clothing, food and medicine to Cyprus.

“Quo Vadis” : a Panhellenic meeting of representatives of all the ranks of Guiding on the course of Guiding in Greece.

“Man-Nature-Machine” : the Senior Guides Troops research and study the interdependence of Man, Nature and Technical Progress.

Activity by the Birds Branch on the architectural heritage. It was concluded with an exhibition in the Athens Art Gallery and a commemorial publication.

Activity by the Birds Branch on the architectural heritage. It was concluded with an exhibition in the Athens Art Gallery and a commemorial publication.

1^st Panhellenic Birds Branch Troops Congress

• Panhellenic Athletic Games of the Birds Branch Troops.
• Thematic Game in 75 museums all over Greece with the participation of 5,500 Guides. This is the beginning of the educational programmes in the museums of Greece.
• “Anemi” (spinning wheel), a 5-day camp for Senior Guides with 12 workshops on traditional arts and crafts.
• Senior Guides’ trip to the Greek speaking villages of Southern Italy (Magna Grecia) and presentation of the programme and its results in Athens

Celebration of the 50^th anniversary of GGA’ s establishment with a   nationwide service campaign.

• Maria Konstantinidi is elected Member of the European Committee of Guides.
• The Senior Guides Branch organizes children’s lending libraries in many parts of Greece.

• Lena Levidi is elected Member of the World Council.
• The operation of Mixed Troops in the Birds and Senior Guides Branches starts experimentally in 5 Local Districts.
• Establishment of a Financial Support Committee.
• International Camp “OLYMPOS 1984” of the Guides Branch with the participation of 2,500 Guides.

1^st Panhellenic Leaders Conference (all 3 Branches).

The Golden Clover is published for the first time.

“Galaxy 1987” : Senior Guides Branch Symposium.

• Establishment of the “Guiding Day”
• “Survival” camp for the Guides Branch Leaders on the uninhabited island of Tsougrias.
• Senior Guides Camp in Mykonos employing solar energy.
• The Senior Guides of Rhodes island are awarded the International “Olave Award” for planting trees in burnt areas.

• Panhellenic “Music Festival” by the Birds Branch. The book “Music is Friendship among the Notes” is published.
• Special Management Seminars for administrative and non-administrative GGA Leaders.

• The Stars Branch is established.
• The GGA is developing a broad communication programme.
• “Ariadne’s Thread”, creative workshops by the GGA’s Training Centres Groups and the Collaboration Teams.
• Alexandra Kalogera is elected Member of the Statutes Committee of the World Association of Guides.

• The Greek Guiding Association is helping in the re-establishment of the Romanian Guiding Association.
• Shipping an aid to Albania.
• Meeting of the International Scouts and Guides Fellowship (ISGF) in Chalkidiki.

Panhellenic Guiding Conference in Chalkidiki on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary since the establishment of Guiding in Greece.

• At the 28^th World Conference of Guides, Maria Konstantinidi is elected Alternate Member of the World Council, Alexandra Kalogera is elected Chair of the Statutes Committee and Katerina Basba is elected Member of the PAX LODGE Committee.
• The Guiding camps host Greek children from Pontus, Northern Epirus and Greek Diaspora Guiding.
• European Special Needs Troops Camp in Chalkidiki.

• February 22^nd (International Thinking Day) is celebrated under the theme “Peace”. It is organized in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
• The Guiding Camps host 15 Guides and Leaders from Bulgaria.

• Under the slogan “A tree grows with me” the environmental programme “Creating Forests with the aid of Guiding” starts all over Greece.
• Senior Guides Troops and their Leaders participate in the European Youth Campaign against Racism and Xenophobia, organized by the Council of Europe and the Youth Secretariat.
• GGA stands by the earthquake stricken areas of Grevena, Kozani and Aigio since the very first day.
• “Roots and History”, a programme of the Administration of the Eastern Aegean.

• The 29^th World Conference elects Manina Hadjikonstantinou as Member of the Chalet Committee and re-elects Katerina Basba to the PAX LODGE Committee.
• The GGA takes part in the celebrations of the Olympic Games Committee for the 100^th anniversary of the Olympic Games organization.
• The Academy of Athens awards the GGA with the “Samourkeio” Award for the environmental programme “Creating Forests with the aid of Guiding” and the commemorial publication “A Tree Grows with Me”.
• “Olympia 1996”: an International Camp of the Guides Branch, under the auspices of the President of the Greek Republic.
• “Amphictyony 1996”: Symposium of the Senior Guides Troops on “Quality of Life”.

• “Artists in Action”: Panhellenic programme motivating the Stars Branch members.
• “Solidarity and Companionship”: Euro-Mediterranean Conference of the Birds Branch Leaders.

• The first 3-day camps of the Stars Branch are held.
• Panhellenic Camp for Leaders-Campers on the island of Agathonisi, on the Greek borderline.

• On the occasion of the 30^th World Conference, Sophie Kotti is elected as an Alternate Member of the World Council.
• 1^st Thematic Game for the Galaxies of Attica. (all Star Branch Troops)
• 2^nd Panhellenic Conference of Birds Branch.

• On September 7^th, the founder of the GGA, Irini Kalliga, passed away. As a last tribute to her, the Board of the GGA establish the “Irini Kalliga” Award. 1^st prize (2000-2002) on “Guiding-Volunteering-Offering to the People” was awarded to Kifissia Local Committee.
• The Stars Branch with the “Peace Banner” wins a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in Greece.
• In order to promote the work of Guiding, but also to raise money, the Training Centres Department organizes a national activity.
• Panhellenic Special Needs Troops Camp for the 50^th anniversary of their establishment.

• Senior Guides Branch is awarded by the Women’s Rights Association for the 50 years of community service through Service Camps.
• The Municipality of Athens awards the GGA the Medal of Honor and Charity of the City of Athens.
• Senior Guides, under the motto “Building World Citizenship”, participate in “Eurolife”, the first pan-European Guides and Scouts Camp held in Switzerland.
• Collaboration with the “Citizens’ Movement for an Open Society” for the Collective Actions Award “Models of Excellence”.

• 1^st Inter-Balkan Youth Camp on “Olympic Reconciliation”, under the auspices of the Greek House of Parliament: 180 young people from 7 Balkan countries participate.
• A Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation is signed with the “Athens 2004” Olympic Games Organizing Committee.
• “Irini Kalliga” Prize (2002-2004 nomination) on “Guiding Sports” is awarded to Syros Local Committee.
• In cooperation with the Ministry of the Aegean, a one-day workshop is held on “Aegean: Network of Friendship-Cultural Institution”. Launching of the “Olympia International Badge” in view of the 2004 Olympic Games (GGA’s International Relations Department).

• “Travelling to the Olympic Games”, a programme launched by the Stars Branch aimed at making little kids realize that we are all part of this great celebration that will take place in Greece.
• “Young Volunteer”: a programme launched by the Birds Branch. The Ministry of the Aegean included the programme in the schools’ curriculum about the Olympic Education.
• “Patrols Marathon”: an annual programme of the Guides Branch through which they put “fair play” into practice.
• 1^st tele-conference of Guides Branch.
• “Relay to Life”, a 5-module programme of Senior Guides Branch including Olympic Sports, Culture, Olympic Truce, Special Olympics and Nature.

• “Stars Olympic Games”: a programme launched by the Stars Branch aiming at encouraging young members to discover and love sports from a very young age and making them aware of the Olympic ideals.
• “2004 Games Reporters”: a programme launched by the Birds Branch aiming at helping children experience the organization of the Olympic Games in a different way.
• “Travelling to Cultures in Your Own Caravan”: programme launched by the Guides Branch to enable Guides to set their own personal goals and move Faster, Higher, Harder (Altius, Citius, Fortius).
• “Life is a Road”: programme launched by the Senior Guides Branch, exploring Life through the “ways” of Spirit, Art, Nature, Technology, Giving, Communication, etc.
• “Irini Kalliga” prize (2004-2006 nomination) on “Guiding-Contribution to my Community” is awarded to Patra Local Committee.

• “Modern Technology – Vocational Orientation” programme launched by the GGA in a school complex in the region of Skopje (FYROM) under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Directorate General of International Development Cooperation – Hellenic Aid.
• Inauguration of the “Irini Kalliga” Museum of Greek Guiding in Thessaloniki, by the Greek Guiding Collaboration Team.
• Change of name: from “Greek Association of Women Guides” to “Greek Guiding Association”.

• Change of GGA’s logo.
• Celebration of 20 years since the Golden Clover publication.
• The GGA facilities in Vari are integrated in the Regional Operational Program, Framework for the Community Development III.

• Official celebration of the GGA’s 75^th anniversary and contribution to Greek society.
• Participation in the celebrations of the “Flame of the Scout and Guiding Spirit”
• Relief programme in the fire-stricken areas of Ilia County.
• “Irini Kalliga” Awards 2007-2009 on “Guiding – Contribution to the Environment”.

• “Gaea 2008”, a programme launched by the Senior Guides Branch on an environmental concept culminating in a big camping event.
• 10^th Panhellenic Conference of the Leaders of all 4 Branches in Volos.
• The Prefecture of Ilia County awards the GGA for its contribution to the fire-stricken areas.
• Design and implementation of the Ministry of Employment funded project and named as “Liquid Waste Recycling through Artificial Wetlands” in the Axios -Loudias-Aliakmonas Delta.
• Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MUA) with the organizers of the Special Olympics “Athens 2011”.

• The Stars Branch raise environmental awareness through the “Stars and Nature” programme and an anniversary publication is released.
• At the Olympic Cycling Stadium, the Birds Branch form a flat balloon made up from 4,810 children’s drawings from all over Greece, inspired by their local community.
• The Civil Protection Association, member of the GGA’s crisis management team, is created.
• A Panhellenic Camp of the Guides Branch is organized in Perdikovrisi (Parnassus Mountain) on environmental issues with the participation of 670 members (under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and the General Secretariat for Youth).
• Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to facilitate our camps in forest areas.
• The 26^th Panhellenic Conference of Commissioners and Members of Local Committees are held.
• Collaboration with the “Citizens’ Movement for an Open Society” for the Collective Action Award “Models of Excellence”.

• Cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the 3-year programme “Guides in the Society – Learning the past to build the future”.
• Celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the Stars Branch.
• Planting trees and cleaning up the Schinias forest in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
• Participation in the organization of the European seminar “The Academy”.
• Panhellenic Conference of GGA Trainers.
• Participation in a 10-day trip with the Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) sailing vessel of Stavros Niarchos (5 young leaders).
• Election of Eri Papadopoulou to the WAGGGS European Council.
• Participation of Nefeli Themeli as a WAGGGS representative at the UN General Meeting “Commission for the Status of Women”.

• Participation in the “Athens 2011” Special Olympics with volunteers and a stand.
• Activities in archaeological sites and museums throughout Greece as part of the “Guides in Society” programme.
• The “Irini Kalliga” Award on the development and strengthening of Local Districts.
• Collaboration with the “Citizens’ Movement for an Open Society” for the Collective Action Award “Models of Excellence”.
• Election of Nana Gentimi as Vice President of the WAGGGS World Committee of International Friendship.

• Celebration of GGA’s 80^th anniversary and its contribution to the Greek society with events throughout Greece and the main event at the Parnassus Literary Society.
• Participation in the homeless relief programme of the Municipality of Athens.
• 11^th Panhellenic Conference of the Leaders of all 4 Branches in Ancient Olympia.
• The International Commissioner’s Forum of WAGGGS and WOSM is hosted in Athens.
• 2^nd year of cooperation with the Ministry of Culture for the GGA’s programme “Guides in the society – Learning the past to build the future”, implemented with the support of OPAP. Within the framework of this programme, several programmes have been carried out for museums

• Exhibition of all GGA’s publications under the title “80 years of Guiding Publications”.
• Collaboration with the “Citizens’ Movement for an Open Society” for the Collective Action Award “Models of Excellence”.
• Completion of the final phase of the 3-year cooperation with the Ministry of Culture in the GGA programme “Guides in the society – Learning the past to build the future”, supported by OPAP.
• As part of the “People’s Projects 2013” programme funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and under the auspices of the Peloponnese Region, the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece and the Ministry of Education, 12 Community Development Camps were held in the Peloponnese with the participation of 418 Senior Guides from Greece, Lebanon and Portugal.
• Re-election of Eri Papadopoulou for a 2^nd 3-year service in the WAGGGS European Council.
• Election of Christiana Papailia to the Board of the European Alliance for Volunteering Platform.
• Nefeli Themeli takes over as Ambassador of the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 of the UN.
• The Panhellenic Conference of GGA Trainers takes place in Vari.
• Participation in the organization of the Marathon race against Breast Cancer by ALMA ZOIS “Race for the Cure”.

• needs created by the country’s economic crisis through the GGA’s programme “I care. What about You?”
• The “Irini Kalliga” Award under the theme “I care. What about You?”
• Participation in the “European Youth Capital” celebration in Thessaloniki.
• Organization of the Panhellenic Camp Meeting of the Leaders of the 4 Branches in Mount Parnassus with the participation of 350 Leaders.
• Launch of the 3^rd Annual Slogan “Put a Goal into Practice”.
• Participation in the organization of the Marathon race against Breast Cancer by ALMA ZOIS “Race for the Cure”.

• The 3^rd Bird Branch Conference under the title “All I Want Is a Tree” shows that democratic processes can be perfectly understood and applied at this age.
• The new Birds Branch progress book “Steps in the World” is published.
• Panhellenic meeting of the Senior Guides Branch in Kipseli, under the title “Meet You at the Square and Play it by Ear!”. The Senior Guides interacted with the people of the area putting Community Development into practice in a most effective way.
• 1^st Leaders’ Training for Guides with Special Needs (OmeA).
• The Efi Pipinopoulou scholarship is enacted to commemorate her important work in the GGA Training Section.
• Learn and Serve Albania-Greece, a programme co-funded by the European Union. It aims to strengthen cross-border relations between the countries and exchange useful practices on issues concerning young people and their involvement in the development of local society.
• The Greek Guiding Association is actively supporting refugees and immigrants all over Greece.
• “Refugee flows, human rights and interculturality”, a programme under the auspices of the UNHCR and the Central Union of Greek Municipalities. It was implemented in schools throughout Greece, with the aim of shaping positive attitudes and behaviour towards the refugee issue, among children and teenagers of Primary, High and Senior High Schools.

• Celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the Birds Branch with a publication of a limited edition album under the title “80 Years of Spreading Our Wings”.
• Participation in the WAGGGS Refugee Campaign, in cooperation with the UNHCR. Honorary presentation of the Greek Guiding Association for the successful Refugee Programme.
• The Greek Guiding Association, in cooperation with the Slovenian Guiding Association (ZSKSS), the Catholic Guiding Association of Belgium (GCB) and the Spanish Guiding Federation (FEG) carry out the programme “Co-education that works” (with reference to the co-education of boys and girls).

• Celebration of the 85^th anniversary of Guiding in Greece.
• In cooperation with the General Secretariat of Civil Protection and the Municipalities, the Greek Guiding Association has responded warmly to help those affected by the severe flooding in Western Attica.
• Panhellenic Meeting of the Senior Guides Branch, under the title “Parodos 17” in Metaxourgio with activities on Culture, Tourism, People and other issues of the area.
• Election of Katerina Agorogianni to the WAGGGS World Council.

• Official Commendation from the Institute of Natural and Man-made Disaster Management in recognition of the GGA’s voluntary contribution and commitment to promoting volunteerism.
• Award from the Region of Attica for GGA’s voluntary contribution to the fire devastated areas in Eastern Attica.
• Launching of a new Civil Protection Badge called “Be Ready for You and Those Around You”: a programme of hands-on activities that prepare children to respond to natural disasters. The programme was implemented at the Primary School of the Athens College.
• Evaluation of the Educational Programme “Refugee Flows, Human Rights and Interculturalism” and the corresponding activity “Packing my Life in a Suitcase”. It travelled to 3400 students, 130 volunteers (not counting volunteers who were informed and participated in the Regional meetings), 229 teachers in seminars and 120 teachers in the classroom.
• Award from the Region of Attica for the contribution of the Greek Guiding Association especially in the affected areas of Western Attica.
• The 16^th Mediterranean Friendship Meeting and the 5^th Southern Europe Meeting are held in Athens.

• Press conference at the Benaki Museum amphitheatre on the Civil Protection Programme “Be Ready for You and Those Around You”. Keynote speaker, Professor Efthymios Lekkas, President of the Organization of Antiseismic Planning and Protection (OASP)
• 2019 “Bravo” Sustainability Award in the field of Environment for the Civil Protection Programme “Be Ready for You and Those Around You”.
• Greece takes part in the International Olave Camp in Sussex, England, as an honorary guest, with the participation of the 1^st Troop of Guides of Agria, Volos.
• 5 puppets from the Special Needs Troops of the Greek Guiding Association travel in Greece to inform the leaders of the troops about the integration and inclusion of people with special needs, as well as to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the special needs troops in the Guiding Family.
• Re-launch of the Civil Protection of the Greek Guiding Association under a new name: Civil Protection Network “Be Ready”.
• Participation in the Thales II Programme of the University of Peloponnese: “Mapping and Evaluation of Greek NGOs”. The results of the survey featured the Greek Guiding Association in the 2^nd place among Organizations with the most regular volunteers. Also, in the field of “Training” activity, the Greek Guiding Association managed to gather the highest evaluation (4 stars).