The island of Samos at the border between Greece and Turkey experienced a devastating earthquake that destroyed the buildings of local schools, leaving the community without proper educational facilities for the past 5 years (see video link above). In the wake of the disaster, the local municipality resorted to using containers from the island’s refugee camp—designed for humanitarian initiatives—to provide makeshift classrooms for over 350 children. Since then, primary, middle, and high school students have been learning in these containers. The lack of reconstruction, largely due to concerns over corruption and mismanagement of funds, has left the island’s education system in dire need of innovation.
Enter the Pythagoras Academy, a groundbreaking project born out of collaboration between international helpers and help seekers on the Cosmopolis app. This initiative aims to go beyond merely replacing what was lost, offering a forward-thinking approach to education tailored to the 21st century. The Academy is designed not only to meet the needs of local students but also to inspire solutions for the unique challenges faced by peripheral communities in Europe.
A New Vision for Education
The Pythagoras Academy is redefining schooling with a focus on digital and practical skills that empower students to address real-world problems. Its curriculum includes:
• Data Science & Research: Teaching students to collect and analyze data to better understand local challenges and design effective solutions.
• Coding & Technology: Daytime coding classes equip participants with essential skills for the digital economy.
• Online Degrees: Flexible programs in management, design, and languages allow students to pursue formal qualifications.
• Extended Learning Opportunities:Afternoon sessions provide deeper dives into specialized areas, complementing the degree programs.
Creating a Global Connection
Education at the Pythagoras Academy doesn’t stop with classes. In the evenings, participants engage in pitch training sessions to refine their ideas and present them to investors and experts visiting the Academy. These sessions are recorded and shared with an international network of investors, offering students the chance to showcase their innovations on a global stage.
Who Can Join?
The Academy welcomes participants aged 13 to 30, creating a dynamic, intergenerational learning environment that bridges the gap between youth and young adults, empowering them to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Why Samos? Why Now?
Samos, a focal point for migration and humanitarian challenges in the Mediterranean, is uniquely positioned to become a hub for innovation and problem-solving. Personally, I also live and work here together with my family. By equipping the local community with the tools to gather data, develop solutions, and engage with the broader world, the Pythagoras Academy seeks to transform the island into a lighthouse of resilience and progress.
This initiative is more than a school—it’s a call to action for the next generation of thinkers, builders, and leaders. For Samos and for the world, inspired by Pythagoras and brought together by Cosmopolis App as a matchmaking service between helpers and help seekers. If you’re inspired to learn more or support the Pythagoras Academy, join me in building a future that redefines education on the periphery of Europe. Contact the Pythagoras Academy on the Cosmopolis App to get involved as a teacher, sponsor, volunteer, workshop coordinator or in many other ways. Thank you for your consideration!
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