First Stakeholder Meeting in Western Greece on 16th June!

Our project partner the University of Patras held the 1st Down to Earth Stakeholder Meeting in Western Greece on the 16th of June! It was in effect Down to Earth very first Stakeholder Meeting! 

This meeting focused on presenting the Down to Earth partnership and addressing the topic of year 1, eg. Demographic challenges to improve resilience against environmental risks in rural areas. Attendees included representatives from local authorities, development companies, protected area management units, civil society organizations, and researchers. 

Professors Evangelos Papadakis and Nikos Koutsias welcomed stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of exchanging experiences with other European regions facing similar rural development challenges. Prof. Papadakis outlined the project's methodology, which involves annual thematic reports prepared by each regional partner, culminating in a synthesis report that showcases commonalities and best practices, which is then presented during a thematic conference. He highlighted that Down to Earth will contribute to the preparation of a regional action plan with specific policy proposals for the ESIF Operational Programme "Western Greece 2021-2027."

• Mayor Ioannis Triantafyllakis of Xiromero highlighted the project's significance in addressing the severe demographic crisis faced by smaller municipalities, including Xiromero, which experienced a population decrease of up to 13% according to the 2021 census. "The extreme weather events and climate change have put a strain on agricultural production and livestock farming, the risk of fires has been increased by late rainfall, while floods and earthquakes are a risk factor", he said.He mentioned the potential for innovative interventions through the Regional Operational Programme and the new Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) strategies.
• Mrs. Iro Tsimpri, Director of the Development Company "Achaia," praised the University's initiative for connecting research and analysis with local development. She emphasized the importance of cooperation, synergy, and understanding to achieve multiplier effects through the Down to Earth project and the broader development agenda supported by the LEADER Programme.
• Mr. Charalambos Michalopoulos, Director of the Aetolia Development Company, highlighted the significance of inter-regional cooperation and the developmental impact of the LEADER programme, particularly for areas with a shrinking population.
• Mr. Nikos Antonopoulos, representing the NGO Lapatochoria, stressed the importance of recording problems, mapping the situation, and developing proposals, while advocating for the establishment of a permanent observatory for population and resilience at the regional level.
• The Head of the Management Unit of the Protected Areas of Messolonghi-Aitoliko and Western Central Greece addressed environmental challenges in the NATURA 2000 sites, including issues related to drilling in Arakynthos and waste disposal.
• Mr Alexis Gourzelas on behalf of the Municipality of Kalavryta and Ms Georgia Grammatika on behalf of the Municipality of Thermo also attended the discussion. 

Prof. Papadakis announced that Down to Earth first thematic conference on Environmental risks related with depopulation and ageing population in rural areas will be held in Western Greece in early 2024!

As Down to Earth continues its mission to foster sustainable rural development, these stakeholder meetings serve as crucial forums for collaboration and exchange of ideas and ensure actual impact on rural communities.