Risk Assessment

The dominant issue in the assessment of possible risks within the territory of Mastorochoria is the recent economic crisis that has exacerbated and exposed all the structural weaknesses. However, the same economic crisis has also had an unexpected result, a demographic paradox. Although previous research had predicted the ‘death’ of the mountain communities, the Mastorochoria villages maintained a minimal and stable population due to the return of pensioners. The MaNet Project views these developments as a challenge and addresses the negative aspect of population aging from a positive perspective, as an opportunity and a starting point for the area’s re-inhabitation. However, the depopulation problem had various side effects that have to be taken into account while planning any actions (Nitsiakos 2008:126-127; Torre 2002:25). All the physical threats stemming from a variety of factors ‘and social, cultural, or political forces that produce changes in meaning and valuing’, can be resolved to a great extent given time and strict prioritization, strategically designed plans and a continuous open dialogue and collaboration of the various stakeholders with public sector and scientific institutions. The MaNet Project’s aim is to assume a central role in resolving procedures of such risks, by supporting the local communities of the Mastorochoria territory (Torre 2002:25).

Overall, as an experiential approach to the historical, environmental, ethnological and cultural assets of Mastorochoria territory, the MaNet fieldwork is a methodology of identifying and understanding local values. This value-centred research is a fundamental element for the design of the MaNet Strategic Plan.