Page 50 - EPLO ACTIVITY REPORT 2023

transformative CCA pathways and accelerate the implementation of transformative solutions required to increase
their resilience over the long term.

[New] “Dialogue4Tourism” (Euro-MED Governance project for Sustainable Tourism): A
7-year project of the Interreg Euro-Med program, belonging to the “Governance” type of
projects as well as to the Program’s Mission 4 “Enhancing Sustainable Tourism”, which is
its biggest, overarching mission. EPLO/CC is leading the ambitious work package of
“Coordination”, which aims to promote policy transformations, enable multilevel
governance, and support the Program’s Joint Secretariat create alliances with other programs (Interreg, Horizon
Europe, Urban Agenda, etc.) and connect with developments at the EC level and beyond. For this purpose, it
collaborates with over 50 partners from the Mediterranean area.

[New] “CRESCENTO – CiRcular Economy Skills Enhancement Network”: It has been
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approved in the framework of the 5 Extraordinary Call of Interreg ADRION Program with
the aim to develop a Master Program on Circular Economy, involving Universities,
Research Institutions, and other key-stakeholders of the Adriatic and Ionian region.
EPLO/CC is in charge of one of the two key tasks of CRESCENTO: the establishment of a
Circular Economy Transnational Cooperation Network of over 300 members, while it also contributes to the
development of the Master Program and the implementation of a Summer School in its premises.

[New] “Asphalt Art Initiative” funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies: EPLO/CC supported the implementation
of this project in the Municipality of Kessariani – the only Greek city and one of the 19 European that has been
selected, among over 300 applications. EPLO/CC was in charge of the road safety, inclusion and environment
aspects of the project, and contributed to the stakeholder engagement and community activation – especially the
children.

[Ongoing] “BLUE-GREENWAY Innovative solutions for improving the environmental status of eutrophic and
anoxic coastal ecosystems” funded by EEA and Norway Grants: During this year an e-green procurement tool has
been developed, alongside a database of solutions and tenders. EPLO/CC organized a Living Lab in Larissa to
disseminate the tools among key stakeholders in Thessaly, while it is preparing an EU-wide White Paper on Blue-
Green approach, as well as the final Capitalization Event of the project.

[Ongoing] The EPLO/CC continued its work in other projects, such as aiD –aRTIFICIAL iNTELLIGENCE for Deaf,
SEACAP4SDG, LIFE B2E4SustWWTP, and it joined the Advisory Board of the TANGENT H2020 project.

Flagship events and initiatives

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EPLO/CC in the 27 Conference of the Parties (CoP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt:
EPLO/CC was honored to participate in CoP27, and had a strong presence there, contributing and participating to
several sessions, as well as liaising with important organizations and individuals. Mr. George Kremlis and Ms.
Alexia Spyridonidou attended on behalf of the Institute.

Event: “Cultural Heritage and Climate Risk: Putting Copernicus earth observation data to work in the
Mediterranean region”, Mediterranean Pavilion (Blue zone) of CoP27: This important event was the result of a
partnership synergy, among the Union for the Mediterranean, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather
Forecasts and Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth observation program, together with the Greek Initiative at
UN level “Climate Change Impacts on Natural and Cultural Heritage” of the Hellenic Republic, in collaboration
with UNESCO, WMO and UNFCCC. EPLO/CC President Mr. George Kremlis was in charge of the organization of
this session and one of its panelists.

Event: “European Climate Leadership and the Path Forward”, Zero Carbon Future Pavilion (Blue zone) of CoP27:
This event was moderated by Mrs. Lee Beck from the Clean Air Task Force (CATF), and focused on the path of the
European Countries to achieve the climate goals in 2030, 2050 and beyond, and the role of innovation and
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