Beneficiaries

The Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems and Forest Products Technology (IMFE) is one of the oldest research institutes in Greece and falls under the Hellenic Agricultural Organization “DEMETER”.  The mission of IMFE is to support forest management actions in Greece through research, development of technology and the transfer of knowledge. IMFE is responsible for the general coordination and management of the Project. Its main duties involve analysis of the current situation regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation needs in the partner municipalities (Amarousion and Heraklion) and elaboration of the Communication Plan of the Project (Actions A), the elaboration and implementation of guidelines for the strategic planning and management of urban green areas in response to climate change (Actions C.1 & C.3) and the replication and transfer plan of the project results (Action C.5). Moreover, it participates in the monitoring actions of the Project (Actions D), while is also responsible for the dissemination of the Project results and networking with other research entities and similar programmes (Actions Ε).

Constantinia Tsagari-Coordinator of the programme, e.mail: director[AT]fria.gr

Alexandra Solomou, e.mail: alexansolomou[AT]gmail.com

HOMEOTECH is a private company that elaborates studies, provides consulting services and support related to the protection and development of forests and natural environment in general, as well as landscape restoration and aesthetic enhancement. It addresses public and private entities, local government bodies, universities and research institutions, as well as individuals and was founded in 2001 in Thessaloniki. The mission of HOMEOTECH is to collect, process, analyze and present data relating to forests, natural environment, and landscape.

HOMEOTECH will participate in the Project administration and is also responsible for its financial management. It will take part in the preparatory actions for the analysis of the current situation of urban green areas in the participating Municipalities (Action A1), as well as in the development and implementation of guidelines of strategic planning of urban green areas in the Municipalities in regard with climate change (Actions C1 & C3). It is also responsible for the planning and development of the cooperation platform that will serve as a register of urban green areas (Action C2), as well as for the replicability and transferability strategy of the project (Action C5). Moreover, it has an active role in monitoring the Project’s impacts and the assessment of indicators (Actions D), as well as in the communication and dissemination of the Project’s results (website development etc) (Actions E).

Nikolaos Gounaris, e.mail: ngounaris[AT]homeotech.gr

Despoina Vlachaki, e.mail: dvlachaki[AT]homeotech.gr

The Central Union of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) is a legal entity of private law, supervised by the Ministry of Interior and is represented by the Mayors of all Municipalities and representatives of the Regional Units of the country. It  is a entity representing the 1^st  level of self government which aims at the cooperation between municipalities, the research and study of issues related to local authorities, the gathering and processing of data and information, necessary to local authorities, the training of municipal staff and elected representatives, the cooperation with relevant international and European institutions and bodies and the empowerment of local development and economy, environmental protection and social cohesion. The role of KEDE in the Project implementation focuses on the dissemination of the objectives and results of the Project, not only in all Municipalities of the country through its interaction with the wider public and citizens of the Municipalities, but also in a European level through the liaison with the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and the Covenant of Mayors Initiative. For this reason contribution of KEDE is crucial in the elaboration of the replicability and transferability strategy of the project  (Action C5), as well as for the dissemination actions  (Actions Ε).

Despoina Chamakioti, e.mail: chamakioti[AT]kedke.gr

The Municipality of Amaorussion is a is a municipality of the Prefecture of Attiki, located 12 kilometers northeast of Athens. Its population is 72.333 inhabitants according to the 2011 census and its area 13 km². The Municipality has signed the Covenant of Mayors Initiative in 2011 against climate change aiming at a viable model of urban development in the city of Amarousion. The Municipality has a rich record of participation in many European programmes and actions referring to environmental management and climate change mitigation, while in progress is the implementation of projects particularly related with the upgrading and energy-saving actions in the City Hall and other municipal buildings, as well as the bioclimatic upgrading of neighborhoods and the increase of RES use. The contribution of each Municipality in the implementation and monitoring of the Project’s Actions is important because they actually represent the Project areas. The Municipality of Amarousion will initially take part in providing data for the analysis of the current situation of urban green areas within the Municipality (Action A1), and also mainly in the implementation of the Concrete Actions (Actions C). In particular, these refer to the implementation of greening works (Action C3), in compliance with the strategic management plans for urban green areas in the context of climate change. Finally, the Municipality will have an active role both in carrying out the Stakeholder Forums and Stakeholder Committee meetings towards the participative interaction of citizens in developing new policies in the context of Action C4, as well as in the actions of the Project’s results dissemination in the wider public (schools etc) (Actions E).

Nikolaos Tsolkas, e.mail: tsolkas[AT]maroussi.gr

Thanasis Merkouris, e.mail: thmerkouris[AT]maroussi.gr

The Municipality of Heraklion is the largest in Crete, the capital of the region and the trading, economic and scientific center of the island. Its population is 173.993 inhabitants according to the 2011 census and its overall area 245 km². The Municipality of Heraklion has participated in the implementation of many European projects aimed at protecting the environment and cultural heritage and promoting social awareness. The Municipality has signed the Covenant of Mayors Initiative and has also received the ‘Smart City Award’ for the implementation of projects in the fields of e-Governance, Energy Consumption,  Environmental Management, Cultural Heritage and Development.

The contribution of each Municipality in the implementation and monitoring of the Project’s Actions is important because they actually represent the Project areas. The Municipality of Heraklion will initially take part in providing data for the analysis of the current situation of urban green areas within the Municipality (Action A1), and also mainly in the implementation of the Concrete Actions (Actions C). In particular, these refer to the implementation of greening works (Action C3), in compliance with the strategic management plans for urban green areas in the context of climate change. Finally, the Municipality will have an active role both in carrying out the Stakeholder Forums and Stakeholder Committee meetings towards the participative interaction of citizens in developing new policies in the context of Action C4, as well as in the actions of the Project’s results dissemination in the wider public (schools etc) (Actions E).

Manos Trantas,  e.mail: prasino[AT]heraklion.gr

Manolis Paraskevas, e.mail: prasino[AT]heraklion.gr

The Ministry of Environment and Energy works towards the protection of the natural environment and resources, improving life quality, mitigation and adaptation against climate change and empowering mechanisms and bodies of environmental governance. The Directorate General of Forests and Forest Environment is responsible for the management and conservation of forests and the elaboration of guidelines for the protection and creation of urban parks and woods as well as for the development of forest policies and its implementation at a national level. Moreover, contributes at providing guidance and financial support to local Forest Services. Regarding the implementation of the Project, the Directorate General of Forests and Forest Environment actively participates in the planning and constitutes the final recipient of the cooperation platform that will serve as a register of urban green areas at a national level (Action C2). Moreover, the Ministry of Environment and Energy will promote the incorporation of results and guidelines that will emerge from the pilot implementation of the Project as well as from the public consultations in the development of improved local and national policies for creating urban green areas in the context of climate change (Action C4).

1. Attica Decentralized Administration (http://www.apdattikis.gov.gr/)
2. Crete Decentralized Administration (https://www.apdkritis.gov.gr/)