When the Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Albanians of Greek Descent first went into operation, its social action was chiefly directed to the realms of health, social welfare and agricultural and vocational development for Albanians of Greek descent who were permanent residents of Albania. Indicative examples of this activity during the early period of the Foundation’s public benefit work include:
- Covering needs for medical and pharmaceutical treatment
- Providing financial assistance to distressed Albanians of Greek descent
- Providing free equipment to farmers and local businessmen of Greek origin in Albania
- Financing adult education programmes for the vocational training or re-training of Albanians of Greek descent, as well as
- Multiple forms of financial support to welfare organisations, charitable funds, foundations, educational agencies and associations of Albanians of Greek descent.
A landmark in the history of the Foundation was the year 1992, when the Vocational Training Centre was established (link on the relevant page of the site) in the border town of Pogoniani, Epirus. Targeted vocational training and rehabilitation was the Foundation’s main priority, based on the criterion of the long-term benefits of investment in education to Albanians of Greek descent. The Centre, especially in its early years, served as an education barrier to the unchecked and large-scale influx of hundreds of Albanians of Greek descent into Greece’s large urban centres. In addition to cultivating knowledge and skills, the Centre was instrumental in reconciling different social, religious and cultural practices.
Since its inception, the Foundation’s primary goal has been to adapt its public benefit action to the needs of Albanians of Greek descent as these needs have been shaped and amended over the years, always with respect for the vision of its Founder for social and vocational rehabilitation.
In this direction, the IAOA has in recent years extended its public benefit action to financing educational initiatives aiming to enhance educational opportunities for Albanians of Greek descent and to promote the Greek language and culture in collaboration with educational institutions and agencies in both Greece and Albania.