GreCO Workshops
Bringing together policymakers, businesses, and citizens to build a more sustainable urban destination
1st GreCO Workshop on Sustainable Route Development
The 1st GreCO Workshop on Sustainable Route Development (October 8, 2025) focused on improving mobility and tourism sustainability in the Municipality of Elliniko–Argyroupoli. Experts analyzed existing traffic conditions and mobility challenges to better understand how residents and visitors move through the area. The workshop explored the design of sustainable routes connecting key cultural and local points of interest. Participants tested these routes in real conditions to evaluate safety, accessibility, and overall travel experience. The initiative highlighted the importance of collaboration between research institutions, local authorities, and project partners to promote greener and more inclusive urban tourism.
2nd Workshop of the GreCO Project
The 2nd Workshop of the GreCO Project (October 20, 2025) was held on event hall in the Municipality of Elliniko–Argyroupoli, bringing together policymakers, SMEs, local stakeholders, and residents. The event aimed to present the vision, goals, and activities of the GreCO project while encouraging dialogue and community participation. Participants explored opportunities to strengthen local entrepreneurship and support sustainable tourism development in the area. Presentations from researchers of the University of Piraeus highlighted the project’s framework and its expected social and economic benefits. The workshop concluded with an open discussion that emphasized collaboration and community engagement to build a greener and culturally vibrant municipality.
3rd workshop - GreCO Project at the “Value-Driven Tourism: From Theory to Practice” Conference
The GreCO Project was presented at the “Value-Driven Tourism: From Theory to Practice” Conference, held at the Zappeion Megaron as part of the Athens International Tourism & Culture Expo 2025. The event served as a national platform where the discussion on the future of Greek tourism advanced from theoretical approaches to practical implementation. During the conference, the GreCO Project was highlighted as a key example of sustainable and data-driven urban tourism, demonstrating how smart tools, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainability metrics can support more resilient and people-centered destinations. The session addressed key themes such as destination management best practices, the use of artificial intelligence and innovation in tourism, sustainability and climate transition, cultural identity and heritage, and investments that enhance the tourism product.
4th GreCO Project workshop
The 4rth GreCO Project workshop (February 2, 2026) was presented at the HORECA Business Lab during HORECA Expo 2026, one of the leading events for the hospitality sector. The session highlighted the GreCO project’s innovative approach to sustainable urban tourism and destination planning. It created opportunities to interact with a wide audience of HORECA professionals, entrepreneurs, and visitors, fostering dialogue around sustainable practices in tourism and hospitality. Participants explored how collaboration between tourism, technology, and sustainability can strengthen urban destinations. The workshop also emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in shaping the future of the hospitality ecosystem. The EUI external expert also participated in the event, highlighting the importance of effective destination management in the area.
5th GreCO Project environmental education workshop
The 5th GreCO Project environmental education workshop (March 2, 2026) engaged children aged 4–6 and families in an interactive experience focused on nature and sustainability. Held at the outdoor premises of SPAY, the activity introduced young participants to Mount Hymettus through storytelling, sensory exploration, and experiential play. Children learned about local plants, the natural cycle of nature, and composting as a process of regeneration. Through the interactive game “Hug – Stop,” they discovered behaviors that protect or harm the forest while symbolically becoming “Forest Guardians.” The event highlighted the power of community participation in fostering environmental awareness and inspiring collective action for protecting nature.
6th GreCO Project environmental education workshop
The 6th GreCO Project environmental education workshop (March 26, 2026) was held in the forested area of Mount Hymettus, engaging high school students. Through hands-on participation, observation, and interaction, students explored the forest ecosystem, connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world experience and fostering a sense of environmental responsibility. Activities included a site clean-up highlighting the impact of waste on ecosystems, discussions on natural cycles and decomposition processes, and an introduction to forest protection practices. The programme also featured interaction with volunteer firefighters and a demonstration of digital forest monitoring systems, offering students a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem management and protection.
7th GreCO Project environmental workshop
The 7th GRECO Workshop (April 24, 2026) brought together local communities, NGOs, and corporate volunteers to support the protection of Mount Hymettus through a collaborative, hands-on action. Organised under the Memorandum of Cooperation between SPAY and Humanity Greece, the workshop combined environmental awareness with practical engagement, including a clean-up in a high-risk natural area and educational sessions on pollution, waste management, biodiversity, and fire prevention. Participants also gained insight into firefighting practices through local volunteer teams, while employees from Siemens Healthineers contributed through a corporate volunteering initiative, reinforcing the importance of collective action, prevention, and connection with nature.
8th GreCO Project environmental workshop
On 30 April 2026, an experiential environmental education activity for the protection of Mount Hymettus was organized by SPAY within the framework of the European GreCO Programme, in collaboration with Humanity Greece. The initiative combined environmental awareness with hands-on participation through waste cleanup activities in one of the mountain’s most ecologically sensitive areas, while also informing participants about the impacts of pollution, the importance of biodiversity and forest protection, and the need for systematic prevention during the fire season. The action additionally included interaction with forest firefighting and protection teams, highlighting the role of volunteerism and community engagement in safeguarding the natural environment.
9th GreCO Project workshop
“ANASKAFES – ROOTS & ROUTES: Culture, Tourism, Future” was successfully held in terms of GreCO on May 19, 2026 at the University of Piraeus, bringing together students, professionals, and cultural enthusiasts to explore the connection between culture, tourism, sustainability, and innovation. Organized by the Department of Tourism Studies in collaboration with archaeologist and digital creator Konstantinos Loukopoulos, creator of The Mythologist Project, the event featured interactive discussions and activities focused on cultural heritage, local identity, social innovation, and sustainable development. Participants exchanged ideas on the evolving relationship between culture and tourism, the role of education and digital communication in preserving cultural identity, and the importance of collaboration between academia, creators, and professionals. The event highlighted how cultural heritage can serve as a driving force for community engagement, creativity, and a more sustainable future.
