About Us
About Sappho Women
Sappho Women is a non-profit organisation (AMKE) based in Skala Eressos, Lesvos. Established in 2010, the organisation provides the legal and administrative framework for international programmes, local initiatives, and community-based work.
History and Origins
The community of women visiting Skala Eressos predates the formal organisation by several decades. In 2000, the local business Sappho Travel initiated the first International Eressos Women’s Festival to provide a structured programme for this visiting community. For ten years, the festival was funded and managed as a private initiative within the travel business.
By 2010, the scale and complexity of the festival required a transition to a dedicated non-profit structure. Sappho Women was formed to assume full legal, financial, and operational responsibility for the event, ensuring its independence and long-term viability.
Organisational Structure
Sappho Women is registered under Greek non-profit law. The organisation is based in the village year-round, moving beyond seasonal delivery to maintain a permanent presence.
While we are best known for the International Eressos Women’s Festival, our structure is designed to hold a variety of activities. This includes funded projects, research initiatives, and international collaborations that align with our methodology of presence and accountability.
The International Eressos Women’s Festival
The International Eressos Women’s Festival takes place each September and is Sappho Women’s most visible programme.
The festival brings together women from Greece and abroad for a focused period of shared activity. It includes workshops, talks, cultural events, and social spaces designed to support participation and exchange.
While concentrated in September, the festival is developed through year-round planning and coordination. It grows out of relationships, experience, and practices that extend beyond the festival itself.
EmpowerHER Project (Past Initiative)
In 2024, Sappho Women delivered EmpowerHER, a short-term capacity-building project focused on women within the LBTIQ+ community.
The project combined staff training, participant workshops, and a networking event, and was funded through a grant from ELC (EuroCentralAsian Lesbian Community), co-funded by the European Union.
Governance and Finance
As an AMKE (Non-Profit Civil Partnership), Sappho Women operates with formal financial oversight. Our work is sustained through a combination of:
- Programme Income: Revenue generated through festival participation and activities.
- Grants and Partnerships: Funding for specific, time-limited projects (such as the 2024 EmpowerHER capacity-building project funded by EL*C).
- Donations: Contributions that support core organisational costs.
Looking Ahead
Our focus remains on maintaining the continuity of our work while adapting to the practical realities of our capacity and the local context of Skala Eressos. We prioritise durability over rapid expansion, ensuring that the organisation remains a stable anchor for the community it serves.