The 3rd DESICE project partnership meeting of the Interreg Europe project, held in the magnificent Ghent, Belgium, on 04-05 June 2025, was a great success. ANATOLIKI S.A., as lead partner, was dynamically present with its representatives, Ms. Iordanidou Eleni as project manager and Ms. Balmadaki Stavroula, member of the project team, as well as Mr. Koubakis Dimitrios, Electrical Engineer and PhD candidate at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as a stakeholder.
The two-day meeting was a focal point for the promotion of circular planning and the strengthening of cooperation between partners and experts. Participants exchanged knowledge, practices and experiences, actively contributing to the formulation of policies and strategies for the transition towards a sustainable and innovative future.
On the first day, the project partners carried out study visits to Stad Aalst where they had the opportunity to get to know impressive circular initiatives such as Walstroom Aalst, De Keet, Broeikas and various eco-designers in the city. Then in Stad Sint -Niklaas , they visited Cocon , a social-circular hub where entrepreneurs such as Baby On The Move and Re-sound shared their sustainable story through BAAS.
The second day of the meeting included presentations and analysis of good practices. ANATOLIKI, in cooperation with the Municipality of Thessaloniki, presented to the partners three good practices related to Innovation and Research. The first good practice, “The Sustainables” from the Sustainable Engineering Laboratory of Aristotelio University of Thessaloniki, was presented by Mr. Koubakis . The second good practice, “Innovative Peach Yarn”, was presented by Ms.Balmadaki. The third good practice, “Loop Lab: innovation in green education” presented online by the students of the Experimental high school of the University of Macedonia in Neapolis, Thessaloniki.
The discussion then focused on innovative approaches that can be integrated into local and regional policies, the progress of the project and the next steps to be taken.
The day ended with a unique educational tour of the Arteveldehogeschool, with exciting ideas from Fablab, Schouder and PackLab , all about impact, collaboration and circularity.
After a constructive and inspiring meeting, the project partners agreed to meet again in the 4th half of 2025. There, the collaboration will gain even more momentum by aiming to influence the identified Policy Tools of the DESICE study areas.
The DESICE project is co-funded by the INTERREG Europe Programme and has a total budget of 1.585.500€. It has a duration of 48 months, until 31/03/2028.
The partnership is as follows:
- ANATOLIKI S.A.- (LP)
- Economic Council of East Flanders (Belgium)
- BSC, Business Support Centre Kranj, L.t.d., Kranj (Slovenia)
- Thessaloniki Municipality (Greece)
- Public Institution Lithuanian Innovation Centre (Lithuania)
- UPI Emilia Romagna (Italy)
- South Muntenia Regional Development Agency (Romania)
- Association of Municipalities of Tartu County (Estonia)
For more information about the project please visit the project websites by clicking https://anatoliki.gr/desice-2/ and https://www.interregeurope.eu/desice
