METLEN Energy & Metals, with sustainability and social impact integrated into the core of its strategy, undertakes initiatives and commits to programs aimed at creating a more sustainable and inclusive future.
In this context, a nationwide initiative implemented in 2024 is the support of the organization "Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece" in the developing an upgraded version of the Hellenic White Cane. With METLEN’s support, the organization completed the production of a new, upgraded version of the Greek White Cane, featuring six foldable segments and a periscopic tip. This enhanced design offers greater durability and ease of use, and was developed in the organization's specialized and certified laboratories by employees with partial or complete vision loss.
It is worth noting that the beneficiaries of this initiative encompass the entire blind population of Greece, including children, adults, and individuals with additional disabilities, estimated at approximately 25,000.
This initiative not only strengthens the autonomy and safety of visually impaired individuals but also supports job creation for blind employees, promoting a model of social innovation and inclusion. Through this initiative, METLEN contributes to empowering the disability community, reinforcing principles of equality and social cohesion.
METLEN initiated its collaboration with the “Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece” in 2023, launching two innovative programs aimed at social inclusion, vocational training, and supporting the professional development of blind individuals to ensure their full social and economic integration as equal members of society.
Through the "Creation of Equal Opportunities for the education of Visually Impaired Young People in New Technologies" program, as well as a remote technical support service assisting blind individuals with essential computer operations, smartphone accessibility, and social media management among other digital skills, METLEN helped bridge a significant gap in access to information, knowledge, and personal development for this vulnerable group. This initiative significantly reduced technological exclusion and laid the foundation for equal and meaningful opportunities. Notably, through this program, 377 visually impaired individuals gained access to new technologies, enabling them to meet the demands of modern daily life. According to the SROI (Social Return on Investment) analysis, for every €1 invested in the training program, €5.37 of social value was generated.
In addition, with the implementation of the Innovative Experiential Educational Program “Contact” of the Tactual Museum, which is unique in Greece and one of the 5 museums of its kind in the world, it gave the opportunity to visually impaired people, as well as sighted people, of all ages, to approach equally Culture and art with a valuable tool, among others, the sense of Touch and to be informed-sensitized about visual impairment, through experiential experiences. In this context, and with the support of METLEN, 3 experiential workshops were included in the core of the Tactual Museum's activities "My First Book of Touch", "Reading Fairy Tales at the Tactual Museum" and "A Plagona (Ancient Greek doll) at the Tactual Museum-Toys in Antiquity".
These initiatives are of a great importance to METLEN. They are implemented within the framework of strategic partnerships with key social organizations to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 10 & 17).
