The E-learning programme “Circular Economy in Local Authorities” was successfully completed on Friday, 19 December. The programme was implemented within the framework of the integrated project LIFE-IP CEI-Greece “Implementation of Circular Economy in Greece” (LIFE18 IPE/GR/000013) by the Network of Sustainable Greek Islands (DAFNI), the Green Fund, Harokopio University, the Ecological Recycling Society, Terra Nova, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MoEE) and the Hellenic Recycling Organization (HRA), with co-funding from the EU LIFE Programme and the Green Fund.
The final webinar featured a highly engaging panel discussion entitled “Challenges and Opportunities for the Implementation of Circular Economy at Local Authority Level.” The panel brought together representatives of the project partners, including: Dr Alexandra-Sophia Togias, CEO of the Hellenic Recycling Organization; Ms Faye Nakou, Expert of the Ministry of Environment and Energy; Professor Kostas Ambeliotis, Harokopio University; Ms Zoi Gaitanari, Waste Management Expert at the Green Fund; Ms Maria Kamma, Mayor of Tilos and Chair of the Board of DAFNI; and Dr Filippos Kirtsos, President of the Ecological Recycling Society. The discussion was moderated by Mr Kostas Komninos, CEO of DAFNI.
From an institutional, financial and operational perspective, the discussion highlighted the key challenges faced by Local Authorities in implementing Circular Economy policies. These challenges range from the integrated operational deployment of Circular Economy policies, transition costs, and limited resources and technical know-how, to the need for citizen awareness and engagement, food waste prevention, and the organisational maturity of municipalities. At the same time, significant opportunities for Local Authorities were identified, including their active role in policy design and implementation, the mobilisation of funding instruments and resources, the reduction of waste
management costs, as well as the environmental, social and economic benefits generated by tools such as Pay-As-You-Throw schemes and Integrated Green Points.
This training action aims to promote Circular Economy principles and transfer know-how from the project’s pilot applications through free distance learning to participants from across Greece. The first training cycle was attended by more than 200 representatives and employees of Local Authorities nationwide, strengthening their knowledge on waste management, the institutional framework, new tools and best practices for implementing Circular Economy actions at municipal and regional level.
In 2026, two new E-learning training cycles on Circular Economy will be launched, focusing on the Tourism and Education sectors. Stay tuned.
Read here the Press Release.
