On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, a particularly successful event was held at the Alexandria Innovation Zone in Thessaloniki (Dimitra Iordanidou Hall), the Local Partners Meeting of the European project DESICE – Enhancing Circular Economy through Innovative Design, implemented with funding from the Interreg Europe program.
DESICE aims to improve the implementation of regional and local policies in the field of circular economy, with a focus on supporting product designers and creating new, more sustainable approaches. It is a European collaboration that brings together 8 partners from 7 different countries.
The meeting was welcomed by the Deputy Mayor for Cleanliness, Recycling & Climate Protection of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr. Georgios Dimarelos, and the General Director of Anatoliki S.A. A.O.T.A., Ms. Vasso Papadopoulou, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in strengthening the circular economy at the local level.
In the first part of the meeting, the objectives and progress of the project were presented, while reference was made to the Operational Program as a policy tool of the Municipality of Thessaloniki. Reference was also made to the good practices recorded during the third semester of the project and presented at the Interregional meeting in Belgium.
Next, guest speakers took the floor to share their experiences and actions. Mr. Christos Mertzanakis, from the Laboratory of Engineering and Sustainability at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, presented the laboratory’s activities, while Ms. Anthoula Dota from the Region of Central Macedonia presented the European project Interreg Europe MINEV, which aims to improve the policies of the regions and cities involved in minimizing waste at large events. Finally, Mr. Stratos Bakalis, on behalf of TETRAGON S.A., presented the innovative “Green EOT Pavilion 2022-2026,” which is a prime example of sustainable design.
Of particular interest was the presentation of the 4th Thematic Module of Good Practices of the DESICE project by Anatoliki S.A. A.O.T.A., was of particular interest, followed by an open and fruitful discussion on the available funding resources that can further promote the circular economy and the support mechanisms that can strengthen it.
The event was another step towards strengthening local partners, offering valuable knowledge and tools that can be used to design policies aimed at achieving sustainable goals at the local level. For more information about the project, please visit its websites by clicking here and here.
