Fourna, Evrytania: Large family leaves village citing bullying and isolation

A large family of eight, including six children, has decided to leave the village of Fourna in Evrytania after two years. The family, led by Stefanos Kostopoulos and Vasiliki Emmanouil, was the first to respond to the ‘New Life in the Village’ initiative, which aimed to combat rural depopulation by encouraging families to relocate to remote areas.

While the move was initially seen as a symbol of hope for revitalizing Greek villages, the family reported significant hardships that led to their departure for Naxos. Vasiliki Emmanouil alleged that they faced severe economic difficulties, inadequate housing conditions, and social isolation. Most notably, she claimed their child experienced bullying from members of the local community and that their small business, ‘Ligo ap’ Ola’, was boycotted by locals.

In response, Panagiota Diamanti, president of the ‘New Life in the Village’ initiative, stated that the family received extensive support, including rent coverage for the first year, educational assistance, and help with job placement. Despite the family's departure, some members, including the grandmother, have chosen to remain in the village.