The opening event of the project “TIME TO TALK II” was held with great success on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the packed Public Central Library of Drama.
The event was opened by the President of the Ladies’ Union of Drama – H.O.H., Mrs. Aliki Tsiamoura, who warmly welcomed the audience and expressed her satisfaction for the inclusion of the project in the Sustainable Urban Development Plan of the Municipality of Drama. She stressed that this inclusion is a recognition of the credibility and the long-lasting social contribution of the organization, referring to the long-lasting cooperation of LUD- HOH both at national and international level. Particular reference was made to the innovative actions implemented for the prevention of gender violence, but also for the holistic support of both victims and perpetrators. In conclusion, he wished the project team good luck, underlining that it is the belief in the importance of the mission that gives the strength to continue.
Then, the Mayor of Drama, Mr. Georgios Papadopoulos, took the floor, who referred to the development and the work of the LUD – HOH, emphasizing its value for the local community, characterizing it as “a beacon of love and an oasis of social responsibility and care”.

This was followed by the Deputy Regional Governor of EMTH, Mr. Konstantinos Kontos, who in his turn referred to the multifaceted social contribution of LUD – HOH, stressing that its work is not only visible but also intangible, going beyond geographical boundaries.
Immediately, a brief review of the “TIME TO TALK I” project was given, through the presentation of the results of the first cycle, in order to lay the foundations and to bridge the gap with the new project.
The first speaker of the workshop was Mrs. Sevasti Hadjifotiou, Dean of the Department of Social, Political and Economic Sciences of the University of Thessaloniki, and scientific collaborator of the LUD – HOH. Ms. Chatzifotiou, as the scientific leader of the new project, presented the targeting and methodology, the target groups and the forms of gender-based violence on which the project is going to focus.

Then, a speech was given by the Police Officer A’ and Head of the Domestic Violence Prevention Office of the Security Department of Drama, Mr.Anastasios Giagouzidis, who presented alarming statistics on domestic violence incidents in the Prefecture of Drama, highlighting the need for effective prevention and support interventions.
The conference concluded with the presentation of a School Psychologist, Mr. Lazaros Vlahopoulos, who clearly described the situation in school communities, stressing the urgent need for systematic prevention of violence phenomena already from childhood and adolescence.

You can watch the whole ceremony on : https://youtu.be/aiQm7hj_46A?feature=shared

The project “DEVELOPMENT OF PREVENTION-ACTIVITY ACTIVITIES FOR PREVENTION-TO-COMBAT VIOLENCE – PREVENTION-INTERVENTION OF VIOLENCE II”, implemented by the Ladies’ Union of Drama – HOH., is carried out under the “Eastern Macedonia, Thrace 2021-2027” Programme and the priority “Social inclusion and poverty reduction (ESF+)”. The operation is co-financed by the European Social Fund. The project is part of the Sustainable Urban Development Strategy of the Municipality of Drama.