Campaigning street paper for Greece

HOMELESS and unemployed people in Greece are to earn a living by selling a Big Issue-style street paper, backed by a Scottish charity.

The paper called Shedia (meaning “Raft”), to be launched this week in Athens, is a member of the Glasgowbased International Street Paper Network (INSP). It will be the 122nd paper in the network and Greece will be the 41st country represented.

Backers of the project say the concept is already well-known to many in Greece because of the large Greek population in Australia, which has its own Big Issue.

Given the impact of the financial crisis in Athens, the new magazine has not been short of would-be vendors and has already signed up more than 70, who will buy the magazine for €1.50 and sell it to members of the public for €3, keeping the difference themselves.

Shedia also plans to offer vendors other help, including access to medical and legal services.

Chris Alefantis, founder of Shedia, said Greece’s first street paper would be campaigning in style: “Fighting poverty and social exclusion is at the forefront of our campaign, particularly considering the desperate economic hardship Greece and its people are currently faced with.”

Lisa Maclean, INSP executive director, said: “The launch of Shedia will offer crucial employment and support to some of Greece’s most vulnerable people.”