Our story through the years
The Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation was founded in 2011 in honor of two emblematic persons who devoted their lives to the progress and prosperity of Messinia. The Foundation’s mission is to create a model of sustainable development in Messinia that can serve as a paradigm for Greece and beyond, building innovative actions together with society. Placing people at the center of every action, the Foundation strives to achieve social equity, based on a dynamic and resilient agricultural sector and highlighting the vibrant cultural identity of the region within a healthy environment. The Foundation’s programs, which extend beyond Messinian borders, focus especially on innovative entrepreneurship, research, and education, the new generation, art, and social contribution. The Foundation’s activity is carried out in close cooperation with the local community, the business world, the academic community, institutional bodies, and civil society, making for a model of collective action towards the common good.
Captain Vassilis Constantakopoulos was born on 29 June 1935 and grew up in Diavolitsi, a small village in Messinia. On 2 February 1953, when he was 18, he embarked on a ship from the port of Piraeus on a six-month unpaid contract. During his 20-year naval career, he ascended all ranks of the naval hierarchy. In 1962, he met Carmen Kiritsi; they married in 1964 and had three sons together.
In 1974, Captain Vassilis founded Costamare Shipping Co S.A. and soon bought the first ship of the fleet: a small cargo ship he named “Carmen.” During the shipping crisis of the 1980s, he turned his focus on container ships, with the belief that “things are neither easy nor difficult; they are either known or unknown.” This decision led to the creation of the largest independent private container shipping enterprise in the world.
In the mid-1980s, he envisioned Costa Navarino, a quality investment that would place Messinia on the global tourist map and would also allow the locals to work and remain in their hometown.
Captain Vassilis was devoted to environment-oriented actions, and this was evident already since 1970; he was one of the first members of the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA) and a founding member of HELMEPA Junior. In 1998, HELMEPA Junior received the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) Global 500 award, and in 2008, Costamare became the first shipping enterprise in the world to fully comply with the new international guidelines for CO2 indicators.
Captain Vassilis was a member of the boards of directors of Greek and international organizations and was awarded and recognized for his activity and contribution by important bodies, such as the Academy of Athens, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Seven Chambers of the Peloponnese, the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, the Entrepreneurs Club, and others.
In 2005, after 57 years of service, Captain Vassilis announced his retirement, leaving the management and direction of the enterprises to his three sons. On 25 January 2011, he departed on his final voyage, having had the joy of meeting many of his grandchildren and seeing many of his dreams and plans come to fruition, both at sea and on land.
Carmen Constantakopoulos, known also as Carmen A. Kiritsi, hailed from a small village in Tirnavos, Thessaly. Though born in an era when the fate of young girls was mostly predetermined, through sheer determination she finished high school and went on to study French Literature at the University of Athens.
A few years later, in 1962, she met her husband-to-be, Captain Vassilis, and together they built a life based on mutual love and respect. Their three sons, Constantinos, Achilles and Christos, completed the close-knit family.
Although Captain Vassilis traveled for long periods of time all over the world, “his Carmen” remained his steadfast compass and harbor, inspiring and supporting his dreams and his rich environmental and social activity.
Carmen Constantakopoulos played a crucial role in the life and work of Captain Vassilis, and for that reason she was the ideal person to continue his vision when he died. With the valuable assistance of her board of directors, she systematically makes sure that the “Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation” preserves its authentically charitable character, in accord with Captain Vassilis’ vision: that Messinia become a model of sustainable development for the entire country.
