The story of Enaleia began with a personal realization by Lefteris Arapakis, a young economics graduate and fifth-generation fisherman. Confronted with the harsh reality of overfishing and marine pollution threatening both the ocean and the livelihood of coastal communities, he envisioned a model that could tackle both.To turn his idea into reality, Lefteris joined ACE Compass Cycle 2015-2016 and in 2016, he founded Enaleia, Greece’s first professional fishing school.
What began as a training initiative for young, unemployed individuals soon grew into a powerful social enterprise, turning traditional fishers into protectors of the sea.
From Education to Environmental Innovation
Enaleia initially focused on promoting sustainable fishing practices among the next generation. However, as fishers began unintentionally collecting plastic waste during their fishing activities, the Enaleia team identified a new purpose—transforming this effort into a structured environmental mission.
This led to the creation of the Mediterranean CleanUp, a flagship initiative engaging fishers to actively retrieve marine plastic and integrate it into the circular economy.
Key Achievements
- Global Impact:
Enaleia now collaborates with over 3,000 fishers daily across Greece, Spain, Italy, Egypt, and Kenya, having removed over 1.5 million kilograms of marine plastic from the sea since 2018. - Circular Economy Initiatives:
Enaleia partners with sustainable brands to give a second life to the collected plastic waste. Indicative projects include:- Enaleia x Nelo Kayak: A kayak constructed from marine plastic with blockchain traceability, enabling consumers to follow the plastic’s path from sea to product.
- Enaleia x Ena Athletics: For every pair of Ena shoes sold, an equivalent weight of marine waste is removed from the Aegean Sea—connecting fashion with environmental action and supporting local fishers.
- International Expansion:
In 2024, Enaleia established Enaleia International in the Netherlands, aiming to scale its operations, design digital solutions such as traceability tools, and expand product development using marine plastic. - Recognition:
Founder Lefteris Arapakis was named a UN Young Champion of the Earth in 2020, one of the highest global honors for young leaders in sustainability.
Empowering Communities and Protecting Oceans
Enaleia combines education, environmental action, and economic empowerment. By turning marine pollution into an opportunity and fishers into ocean stewards, Enaleia is building a future where sustainability and livelihood go hand in hand.
Its journey is a clear example of how one bold idea—rooted in empathy and innovation—can lead to global environmental impact.