Interreg-Ristor: revitalise abandoned mountain villages in Greece and Albania
05/05/2026, Mary Drosopoulos
Separated by a border but united by the Pindus mountain range, the mountain villages of Demati and Dardha have been depopulated for decades due to emigration. Both are now being called upon to envisage a different path, thanks to the intervention of the cross-border Interreg-Ristor project, which aims to revitalise abandoned spaces, support local producers and demonstrate that a community can embrace new possibilities without sacrificing its identity.
Read more about this project here
Greenhouse in Demati where Christina and Antonis cultivate vegetables. Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
Greenhouse in Demati where Christina and Antonis cultivate vegetables. Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
The old school building in Demati to be transformed into a co-working hub – Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
The old school building in Demati to be transformed into a co-working hub. Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
An abandoned house in Demati. Photo Mary Drosopoulos
An abandoned house in Demati. Photo Mary Drosopoulos
The main square of Demati. Photo Mary Drosopoulos
The main square of Demati. Photo Mary Drosopoulos
The cultural association in Demati that functions also as a ‘kafene’. Photo Mary Drosopoulos
The cultural association in Demati that functions also as a ‘kafene’. Photo Mary Drosopoulos
The social clinic providing first care in Demati. Foto Mary
The social clinic providing first care in Demati. Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
The mountainous village of Dardha (Albania). Foto © Shutterstock Bardhok Ndoji
The mountainous village of Dardha (Albania). Foto © Shutterstock Bardhok Ndoji
An old traditional village house in Dardha. Foto © Shutterstock/Sualdo Dino
An old traditional village house in Dardha. Foto © Shutterstock/Sualdo Dino
Driving from Korça to Dardha, a winter panorama – Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
Driving from Korça to Dardha, a winter panorama - Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
Barbecue in the mountains- Local man welcoming visitors with regional delicacies: qebap (kebap) and home-made rakija – Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
Barbecue in the mountains- Local man welcoming visitors with regional delicacies: qebap (kebap) and home-made rakija - Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
A characteristic wooden house at the ski centre of Darda – Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
A characteristic wooden house at the ski centre of Dardha, one of the first to be constructed - Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
Sunset over the hills of the Dardha mountains – Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
Sunset over the hills of the Dardha mountains - Photo: Mary Drosopoulos
This publication was produced as part of the EuSEE project, co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the granting authority, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for them.
