The Stavros Costopoulos Research Fellowship was created in 2007, with support from the J. F. Costopoulos Foundation. Through its establishment ELIAMEP sought to upgrade its research on traditional foreign policy issues, such as the European integration, Greek-Turkish relations, developments in the Middle East and the Balkans or transatlantic relations. At the same time, this new post furthered ELIAMEP’s efforts to create a supportive environment for the development of Greece’s research potential.

Manos Matsaganis, Professor of Public Economics at the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies of the Polytechnic University of Milan, and Head of the Greek and European Economy Observatory of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), began his role as “Stavros Costopoulos” Research Fellow on October 1, 2021, and continued until September 30, 2022.

In the context of his duties, he was concerned with the design, coordination and implementation of all the research and public activities related to the study of the dynamics of the Greek and European economy, and to the major challenges they face in the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth. This purpose is served by the Greek and European Economy Observatory, which promotes research, the exchange of views, and the formulation of policy proposals. During this period, Manos Matsaganis led ELIAMEP’s participation in the Recovery Watch international research project on the evaluation of the impact of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, and in the implementation of an evaluation study of the National Centre for Social Solidarity-ΕΚΚΑ (both projects are ongoing). He has also participated in several public events and produced a number of publications for academic journals or mass the media.

Stavros I. Costopoulos (1900-1968)
Stavros I. Costopoulos was born in Kalamata on 14 September 1900. He was the youngest son of Ioannis F. Costopoulos, founder of today’s Alpha Bank. He studied Law at the University of Athens and Political Science and Economics at the University of Paris, where he was also awarded his PhD. He continued his studies in the United States of America. After returning to Athens, he practiced law. Stavros I. Costopoulos was repeatedly elected MP in the prefecture of Messenia from 1928 to 1965. He served many times as Minister, including as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1964-1965) and Defense Minister (1965-1966). He actively participated in his family’s trade, industrial and banking enterprises. Among his other roles, he served as Governor of the National Bank of Greece (1951-1953) and President of the Board of Directors of the Commercial Credit Bank, the predecessor of Alpha Bank (1953-1968). He passed away in Athens on 23 June 1968.