The Heart of IDEA
Theodosios Tzanos
Co-Founder & President of IDEA - Mechanical Engineer - Master's Degree in Management
Athens, Greece
"IDEA keeps me optimistic about a fairer and freer future for all, offering me countless unique experiences through collaboration with thousands of people for important causes."
Elefterios Saftis
Co-Founder & Secretary of IDEA - Professor of Psychology & Psychoanalyst
Copenhagen, Denmark
"I am passionate about IDEA because the pillars of creating fairer and more inclusive democratic systems are something the world desperately needs. Furthermore, creating a platform where the issue of citizenship becomes a pivot for democracy to function in a different/better way."
Ghassan Chehade
Co-Founder & Member of the IDEA Advisory Board - Head of Project Control - Department of Culture and Tourism
Abu Dhabi, UAE
"I am fully committed to IDEA's mission to promote transparency and empower communities. As a founding member, I strongly believe in the organization's values and its potential to bring about meaningful change. I truly believe that when communities are informed and engaged, real change happens — and IDEA is a powerful force in making that happen."
Petros Katsogiannos
Co-Founder & Member of the IDEA Advisory Board - MD, PhD – Senior Consultant Endocrinologist & Diabetologist
Athens, Greece
"I am excited to see IDEA grow from the ground up and see how the values of the organization have touched so many people. Values that should be applied to everyday life and should be taken for granted, but unfortunately they are not. I truly believe IDEA can do it."
Tomás Mora
IDEA Advisory Board Member - International Projects Director, Trainer & Facilitator – Youth BCN & Di2
Barcelona, Spain
"I believe in IDEA's mission because I believe that a better world is possible. To achieve this, the first thing we must do is believe in people and, if we can, empower them."
Dimitroula Psimouli
Co-Founder & Treasurer of IDEA - Computer Science Studies
Athens, Greece
"I started as a volunteer to help with the actions of IDEA but seeing the misery and poverty of the homeless and needy families who had found themselves without jobs I could not ignore my fellow man and I began to offer whatever and however I could! Along the way I realized something magical! By offering to others you offer to yourself! Try it, play the game of giving too and I am sure that you will not regret it! "
Marilena Dyranis-Maounis
Co-founder & coordinator of the IDEA Advisory Board - Coordinator of Activities and Events & Psychology studies
London, United Kingdom
"As a founding member of IDEA, my passion lies in developing a sustainable community that supports people in bringing positive change to the world, while connecting with like-minded individuals. A space where everyone can contribute their skills and willpower and receive the support they need to bring their idea to life."
Kamel Chehade
Co-Founder & Member of the IDEA Advisory Board - Export Manager – Silverware Manufacturing Company "Pantazelos & Co." & Operations Manager – CPC Trading (Dubai)
Athens, Greece
"The enthusiasm and motivation of my colleagues who participate in IDEA and the satisfaction of belonging to such an organization. This is my way of giving back to humanity and helping as much as I can."
Georgios Christakopoulos
Co-Founder & Member of the IDEA Advisory Board - Fleet Manager at a Shipping Company
Athens, Greece
"My motivation to participate comes from a desire to contribute to initiatives that promote democratic values and empower individuals to make positive changes."
Karina Manukyan
IDEA Advisory Board Member - Entrepreneur & Project Coordinator for Youth in Non-Formal Education Locally & Internationally
Stepanevan, Armenia.
"I am inspired to be part of IDEA and collaborate with its members because IDEA creates a space where talented people can come together and strive for common goals, working together for the benefit of societies around the world."
Our roots are simple; our mission, realistic.
Meet our founder
Theodosios Tzanos
In 2006, he worked for WWF for 4 months on the streets of Athens,
researched the main reasons people
hesitated to support NGOs:
limits on volunteerism
Lack of trust
{Concerns about transparency}
We needed to create an NGO with complete transparency, one that is controlled by its members.
So in 2007, we began...
The 1st Project of IDEA.
Forest Fires in Zaharo, Greece
2007
Following the large fires in Greece, Theodosis and Efi helped
distribute food, clear woods, and plant trees in Zaharo,
marking the first organized I.D.E.A. project.
Behind the scenes:
Initially, the idea was to gather a large group of volunteers, but when the time came, only Theodosis and Effie showed up.
This didn't stop them—they drove for hours to Zacharo, distributing food and cleaning up debris. This project sparked the idea that small groups can have a big impact.
On May 29, 2009, 22 people founded the association IDEA.
2009
I.D.E.A. becomes a legal entity as Theodosis gathers 21 of his closest friends to sign and create the foundation for the organization.
The signing was not just a formal procedure—it became a celebration of unity and a shared mission.
As each person signed, the room filled with optimism, laughter, and a sense of hope. Each signature symbolized trust in the future of IDEA, marking the beginning of something greater.
2010
Clothes for All, Hand in Hand.
I.D.E.A.'s first action involved
collecting and distributing second-hand clothes for free
at Omonia Square in Athens.
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2012
Food for All by night.
By the end of 2012, IDEA had completed its 27th action, "Food for All by night."
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2013 ~ 2016
The Meritocratic Method Begins
I.D.E.A. initiates around 15 actions per month, entirely on a voluntary basis,
while beginning the development of the meritocratic method, which aims to resolve ego clashes and foster cooperation through skills-based leadership.
2017
Milestones in
Actions & Transparency
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I.D.E.A. completes
its 120th project "Food Door-to-Door",
its 199th project ‘’Food for All by Night’’ and
its 34th project "Clothes Hand-in-Hand" projects
testing its transparency method through 450 projects with thousands of volunteers.
The huge number of actions was sometimes overwhelming.
Each action was documented in detail, with every euro and purchase receipt in plain view.
The transparency system evolved to the point where everyone could see how every penny was spent.
Volunteers embraced it, knowing that their contributions were handled with complete transparency.
2018
Peaceful Revolution book published by IDEA
The Peaceful Revolution is a thought-provoking book by Theodosis Tzanos, founder of IDEA.
"Η Ειρηνική Επανάσταση" (Peaceful Revolution) explores the transformative power of nonviolent action in creating a fairer and more balanced world. Based on personal experiences and reflections, the book provides insights on how individuals and communities can catalyze positive change through peaceful methods. Published by I.D.E.A., this work serves both as a philosophical guide and a call to action for those seeking to empower themselves and others in the pursuit of a better future.
2019
Youth Participation in Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Projects
I.D.E.A. had sent over 250 young people to more than 50 Erasmus+ Key Action 1 youth exchanges and seminars, providing participants with life-changing experiences through international collaboration.
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These exchanges empowered young people to share ideas and create meaningful connections across borders, fostering a new generation of socially active individuals.
2020
16th National & International Conference (HSSS)
A talk by Theodosis Tzanos.
Topic: Extreme Monetary and Organisational Transparency in the NGO Sector
Behind the scenes: This talk marked a significant moment for I.D.E.A., showcasing the transparency model to a broader audience and emphasizing the need for complete financial openness in NGOs.
Theodosis shared insights into the methods and challenges faced by I.D.E.A. as it implemented this radical transparency.
2023
Speech on the benefits of being an active citizen.
Theodosis Tzanos gave a speech at ISA school, inspiring students to chase their dreams while actively contributing to a better future for all.
Speaking to the students at his alma mater, Theodosis felt a sense of fulfilment, knowing that he was inspiring the next generation to take charge of their future and their communities.
2024
First Coordinated Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Project
I.D.E.A. successfully coordinated its first Erasmus+ Key Action 1 project in Armenia, marking a milestone in leading international projects in collaboration with its Armenian partner.
Behind the scenes: The culmination of years of hard work, this project reflected I.D.E.A.'s growing capacity to take on large-scale, impactful initiatives on a global stage.
Global Testing
2024
IDEA completed two projects in Japan and the Philippines, proving that its processes have no geographical limitations. The organization is now working on two more projects: one in India and one in Nigeria.
Japan
Philippines
