I started KeepTalkingGreece in spring 2010, as an alternative to Greek-bashing by international media shortly before Greece capitulated without battle into the hands of the International Monetary Fund.
From the very first moment, the main aim of this website and blog was to inform the English-speaking expats living in Greece but also the world about the effects of austerity on broad swathes of society as well as the sneaky tricks in times of economic crisis.
The critical approach to austerity and the European Union policies is as obvious as it can be, when humans were turned into numbers on technocrats’ spreadsheets.
Over the last six years, KTG has kept a large community of readers who were interested in Greece’s development informed, KTG’s reporting has been quoted by many international media as a source.
But the economic crisis and the austerity continue. Already in summer 2015, I realized it’s getting harder and harder for me to cover the monthly expenses for the server fees and the website maintenance, the fixing of occasional tech problems. For 2015, this cost amounted 1,500 euro V.A.T. of 23% incl. For 2016, this cost is more or less the same or even higher, it depends on unpredictable technical issues that will need to be fixed.
Furthermore, the template of the website needs to be “updated”, i.e. replaced by a new and modern one so that 1) it will facilitate an easy access via iphones, smartphones, what-ever phones, tablets and other technologically adventurous devices 2) it will allow more interactive features for the readers/users.
As for the so-called “moral support”… well.. running KeepTalkingGreece is at times a full time job and thus an unpaid one.
If you want to keep the website and blog alive and kicking also for 2016, please make a contribution, no matter how small or big. All contributions are highly appreciated. Then, Greece is drifting into an even deeper economic depression, anyway. So, “every euro counts,” as they say.
As of January 5th 2016, we’ve managed to cover the server and site maintenance expenses for 2015 incl the crowdfunding platform and paypal fees for the amount of 1.790 euro. By January 31st 2016, the total amount collected so far has stuck at 2,430 euro – which means that we are still away from our goal to cover expenses for 2016 and to have a new template. In fact this amount covers expenses for 2015 and the first months of 2016.
Do you believe that you can help us reach at least 50% of our original goal? We depend on you, much more than you think!
The original Goal amount on the Crowdfunding Campaign has been set higher in order to cover platform fees, payment methods, Paypal fees as well as transfer fees and expenses for “a guy to fix things”.
My friend Ailsa, who had this great idea of the campaign, thought that KTG deserves also a small reward for reporting tirelessly for the last six years and thus free of charge for the readers.
Dear KTG-readers, I am afraid that if we don’t achieve at least 50% -60% of the fundraising goal, KeepTalkingGreece will have to disappear from the internet, the blogosphere and your PC screen. I will be forced to migrate to some EU country and make use of the ’emergency break’ – Just kidding? well… I wouldn’t be that sure…
Thank you!
PS Shares of this post and cross-posts to other blogs and sites are also appreciated.
Hi,
Just sent a small contribution which I hope means that even if you don’t reach your target, you will continue! Very valuable work you do. Thanks
yes, I saw it, thank you so much. 🙂
Thank you so much, folks, for showing that you care :)))
I feel disappointed in the response you’ve had so far, mainly because I know how important were the news from Greece you and KTG brought into my home, all over the years.
I remember how funny it was for me to compile a few scenes from greek movies saying mainly “No Signal!?” when ERT was shut down by Samaras. I felt I was doing my part, since I couldn’t do much more here in Portugal.
But now I’m considering that you should have faithful KTGians (and I know that they’re many all over the world) paying a small monthly Subscrition/fee for the news that you provide.
Will you think about it? Perhaps it’ll easier that way than trying to save the boat from sinking with quite a lump of money.
thank you for your great support all these years, Bernardo. Depending on the outcome… well, yes… I will have to think several ways about KTG’s survival or not.
I am willing to pay a monthly subscription just to
Keep you
Talking about
Greece
All the best!
this is an option too: monthly subscription, a couple of cents per day. but then, KTG will have to leave non-payers out. I don’t know… I suppose I would need at least 100 subscribers to pay 5-7 euro per month to have the scheme working.
I wouldn’t mind paying, say, 10 euro a month. But I don’t want to put a price tag on your work…
hmm… 5 to 7 would do too. but others would mind – not even 50% reached 🙁
I hope you get a bigger response to this than you’ve had so far, I’m also surprised the donations aren’t rolling in!
you’re not alone in your surprise lol – yet, it’s a bit better since I made the “last call” – thanks
Hi,
also send a small contribution to support KTG. As a student in Germany (of Greek descent) I follow your blog since many years. I really appreciate the way you try to push through the media/political madness and inform people around the world despite the difficult times in Greece. Keep going! Euxaristw polu!
I ‘eyxaristw poly’! = unfortunately, I am not always able to identify the donation contributors. therefore Thank You through this site.