Greek tourism continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience, breaking one record after another, according to the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Anna Karamanli speaking at the Sports & Tourism Summit 2026. Focusing on special-interest tourism, the Deputy Minister referred to sports tourism, noting that Greece possesses all the comparative advantages needed to develop into a leading sports tourism destination: a unique natural environment, diverse landscapes, conditions that support sports activities throughout the year, a long-standing athletic tradition, and modern infrastructure that is continually being upgraded. (Cover photo: the 63^rd Aegean International Sailing Rally, 18-27 July 2026)

As Ms. Karamanli emphasized, 2025 was the best year ever for Greek tourism. "The first data for 2026 confirm that this momentum is continuing. During the first four months of 2026, tourism revenues jumped to approximately €2.791 billion, representing a 36.9% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, arrivals during the same period increased by 27.1% compared with the corresponding period in 2025," the Deputy Minister noted. At the same time, according to Ms. Karamanli, data from the Bank of Greece confirm Greece's gradual strengthening as a destination not only during the peak summer season but also in the winter and shoulder seasons. As she explained, extending the tourism season has been one of the Ministry of Tourism's primary objectives from the outset. "The data available so far show that we are on the right track to achieving this goal. Greek tourism withstands challenges, adapts to change, and continues to evolve with a focus on quality, sustainability, and resilience. From day one, we set a clear objective: not simply to attract more visitors or achieve better numerical results, but to build a tourism sector that creates greater value for the country, for local communities, and for future generations," Ms. Karamanli added.

The Sports & Tourism Summit 2026, "Sport and Tourism as a Vehicle for Social Development," is a new international forum for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas focused on the ecosystem of sport, tourism, and major events. The summit aims to showcase how sport, destinations, innovation, and contemporary experience-driven initiatives can contribute to sustainable development, international outreach, and the creation of a lasting social impact. Over the course of two days (30.6-1.7.2026), Athens hosted representatives from governments, sports organizations, Olympic institutions, tourism organizations, academic institutions, brands, media, and leading international experts, with the goal of fostering meaningful dialogue on the future of sport and tourism.

Speaking at the Sports & Tourism Summit 2026, the Deputy Minister said: "To support sports tourism, we are leveraging resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to fund major projects at tourist marinas, diving parks, ski resorts, and accessible beaches. These investments significantly enhance the potential for the development of sports tourism and other forms of thematic tourism throughout the country." At the same time, the Ministry of Tourism has consistently supported flagship sporting events, including the Athens Authentic Marathon, the Aegean International Sailing Rally, and the historic Acropolis Rally, which concluded successfully just a few days ago.

The Marathon Race has always had a prominent place in the hearts and minds of sports enthusiasts, as it represents the highest effort where the human body, soul and mind are tested to their limits as the runner presses himself/herself to reach the finish line. SEGAS, the Hellenic Athletics Association, has the honor and the historic responsibility to organize annually the Athens Authentic Marathon on the Original Marathon Course. Thousands of runners from all over the world are expected to participate in every year’s race. Apart from the sporting experience, they have the chance to enjoy the traditional Greek hospitality, discover the fascinating landscape of our country and explore a city which is constantly improving its standards (https://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/en)

The International Aegean Rally is a sailing race with a long and distinguished history, organized every year by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC). It is the oldest and most prestigious sailing event in Greece, often described as a Marathon at sea. The total distance covered each year varies depending on the islands selected as intermediate destinations, ranging from approximately 350 to 500 nautical miles. The race features a wide variety of sailing yachts, differing in length and sail area, categorized between performance racing yachts and cruising yachts. The rally takes place during the best season of the year, when ideal weather conditions prevail across the Aegean. Local winds and the well-known Meltemi, blowing steadily at 20–30 knots, dominate throughout the race. The sun shines over the deep blue sea, and summer is at its peak, with temperatures around 30°C. A major factor in the success of the Aegean Rally is the natural beauty and local character of the islands visited or passed by each year. The traditional Greek islands, with their picturesque scenery and hospitable inhabitants, offer participants moments of relaxation and tranquility during the event. (https://aegeanrally.gr/?lang=en )

The 2026 EKO Acropolis Rally, serving as the 8th round of the FIA World Rally Championship WRC, stood out as one of the most innovative and logistically ambitious editions in the event's 73-year history. Transitioning into a new era, the legendary "Rally of the Gods" relocated its main hub and Service Park south to the coastal town of Loutraki, introducing a refreshed route with nearly 75% entirely new stages. The event combined Greece’s distinct landscape with modern sporting entertainment. The spectacle commenced in Athens with an asphalt head-to-head Super Special Stage inside The Ellinikon Sports Park. Spanning 17 gravel stages across Attica, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese, the 2026 route put a massive technical premium on vehicle durability and tire management. Scorching summer temperatures and sharp bedrock tested the grid of 58 crews, reinforcing the Acropolis Rally's reputation as the ultimate test of endurance for modern rally machinery (https://www.acropolisrally.gr/2026/en/)

In the same spirit of international outreach, the Ministry of Tourism is also actively participating in European initiatives such as EuroVelo, the pan-European long-distance cycling route network, which promotes cycling tourism and sustainable mobility across Europe. In addition, new thematic sports tourism initiatives are being developed, including cycling tourism events under The Greek Gravel Experience initiative. These events are held in different regions of Greece, including Megalopolis, Amarantos (Karditsa), and Marathon.

The Greek Gravel Experience is an innovative cycling initiative launched as an umbrella project to establish gravel bike racing and cycling tourism across Greece. Conceived by cycling experts and organized by the MBike team (the organizers behind the Athens Bike Festival), the initiative aims to combine competitive sports, sustainable tourism, and community building. (https://gravelchallenge.gr/)

For 2026, the initiative structures a trilogy of distinct events traversing different terrains:

• Megalopolis Gravel Classic: A mountainous weekend festival tracking through rural backroads and historic trails in Arcadia, featuring a special twin-destination partnership with Italy's GeoGravel Tuscany.
• Amarantos Gravel Experience: An adventure-focused, two-day mountain ride through the dense forests of the Thessalian Agrafa, where participants camp in a local village square and experience authentic hospitality.
• The Gravel of Marathon: The flagship event scheduled for November 15, 2026, which marks Greece's historical debut in the prestigious UCI Gravel World Series, acting as a direct qualifier for the 2027 World Championship.

"Sports tourism, however, is not limited only to major international events or European initiatives. It opens new paths for tourism development through the organization of sports events of local interest in popular tourist destinations, such as the Spetses Mini Marathon and the Santorini Experience," Ms. Karamanli stated, adding that "in this effort, the contribution of Local Government is decisive. In recent years, more and more Municipalities and Regions are systematically investing in sports events tailored to the identity and potential of each place. Events that highlight the natural and cultural wealth of each region and create substantial added value for local communities."

The Spetses Mini Marathon is Greece's premier multi-sport festival, held annually in October on the picturesque island of Spetses. Founded in 2011, it has grown into an international award-winning event that combines athleticism, culture, and high-end sports tourism. (https://spetsesmarathon.com/en/homepage-en/)

The Santorini Experience is a premier sports tourism event that showcases the raw, volcanic landscape of Santorini through high-level athletic challenges. Organized annually by the Municipality of Thira and ActiveMedia Group, the event attracts professional and amateur athletes from all over the world, significantly extending the island's tourism season. (https://santorini-experience.com/en/ )

The Visit Greece platform presents Greece as a year-round, four-season sports tourism destination, highlighting diverse land and water-based activities that cater to active travelers. The website, recently updated to promote sustainable travel, showcases options ranging from extreme rock climbing to international sailing events. Explore the full range of activities at https://www.visitgreece.gr/en/events/sports.

With so many amazing climbing spots and jaw-dropping scenery, Kalymnos has become a landmark for climbing enthusiasts from all around the world. (Source: https://www.discovergreece.com/ )

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/  )

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The new official Greek tourism portal VisitGreece.gr is now online!

The post Greece: A Premier Sports Tourism Destination appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The Digital Management of the Archive of the Hellenic Institute for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies of Venice has recently been completed and is already operating through the digital infrastructure of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, making it accessible to a global audience. It offers free access to an invaluable treasury of materials—including registers, documents, heirlooms, icons, works of art, miniatures, manuscripts, and early printed books—and sheds light on the historical trajectory of the Greek diaspora from the 15^th to the 20^th century.

As was emphasized during the events held following the completion of the project, the Archive of the Greek Community, and later the Archive of the Hellenic Institute of Venice, constitutes one of the most valuable cultural assets to have been digitized in recent years. The archival holdings date from 1498 to 1954 and document the history of the Greek Brotherhood in the city of the lagoons, as well as that of the broader Greek population under Venetian rule. These records, however, are far more than the documentation of routine administrative procedures—they are living history. (Cover photo: Deputy Minister of Education K. Vlasis and the contributors of the digitization program in Venice)

The reconstruction of the church of St George began in 1536, on land purchased a few years earlier by the Greeks of Venice and was completed in 1577. The work was supervised by the architects Sante Lombardo and Zuanantonio Chiona, while the well-known architect Andrea Palladio was the consultant for the construction of the women’s balcony. The church was decorated with icons brought by refugees from Constantinople, such as the Grand Duchess Anna Paleologina Notara, but also from other regions, with works by important painters such as Michael Damaskinos, Emmanuel Tzanes Bounialis, Thomas Bathas and others. The illustration of the dome was entrusted to John the Cyprian, who worked under the supervision of the remarkable Venetian painter Jacopo Tintoretto. (Photo: https://www.ertnews.gr/)

Thirteen years after the Fall of Constantinople (1453), the great wave of exodus from the Byzantine capital—a migration that would permanently alter the course of European history—carried thousands of scholars, philosophers, and theologians to the Italian peninsula. They brought with them precious ancient Greek manuscripts in what may be regarded as the first great "brain drain" to the West. They were followed by heirs of the Byzantine Empire, architects and mosaic artists, painters, craftsmen, aristocrats, members of the imperial court, descendants of noble families, former soldiers, and many others. Venice became their principal destination, owing both to its extensive maritime trade network and to the presence of an already established Greek confraternity. This community would soon develop into one of the most important strongholds of the Greek diaspora and the foremost center of Hellenism in Italy before the Greek War of Independence of 1821.

The formal establishment of the first Greek Community in Venice in 1498, at a time when approximately 5,000 Greeks lived in the city, and the construction of the Orthodox Church of St. George a few decades later, mark what historians describe as a milestone in the history of Hellenism. It was the first organized Greek community, founded some 333 years before the establishment of the modern Greek state.

For five centuries, the Greeks of Venice have maintained a continuous presence, preserving—as the Greek Deputy Minister of Education, Konstantinos Vlasis, aptly remarked in a public address—"the language, the faith, the educational tradition, and the identity of Hellenism." From the late fifteenth century onward, they played an active role in every major period of the nation's history. Following the end of the Second World War, the movable and immovable property of the Greek Community, together with its few remaining descendants, was transferred to the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice. Today, the Institute stands as the historical continuation of that Community, preserving its legacy across both time and place.

The Institute’s Digital Repository now presents to the world hundreds of its rare printed books, most of them in Greek (148), Italian (123), Latin (105), and French (81). As reported to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (APE-MPE), the program coordinator, Professor of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ch. Arabatzis, stated that a total of 140,000 documented records are now accessible in high resolution and with thorough documentation to every student, specialized researcher, and interested citizen. This includes approximately 1,000,000 digital images, 10,000 items of images and ecclesiastical artifacts, 1,000 rare printed books, and 47 valuable Byzantine manuscripts. An important aspect of the program was the development of applications with a clear educational orientation. ‘Students and university learners no longer study copies or editions—they work essentially with the original sources themselves, in their physical form and chronological sequence.’ He added that the completion of the project represents an important step in linking Greek cultural institutions with corresponding European programs that are gradually being integrated into Europeana.”

"The Digital Management of the Venetian Archive is a project of exceptional scholarly and national importance," Professor Stratos Stylianidis, former Vice Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA). "It brings to light," he added, "through the use of advanced digital technologies, an invaluable archival heritage of Hellenism. It constitutes a unique testament to the historical memory, intellectual continuity, and cultural presence of the Greeks within the European world." According to Professor Stylianidis, a faculty member of the Faculty of Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Vice President of the International Scientific Committee for Heritage Documentation (CIPA – Heritage Documentation), the digital management, documentation, and dissemination of the archive "are far more than a technological intervention. They represent an act of safeguarding our collective memory and an investment in future research, education, and the dissemination of cultural heritage."

The Alexander Romance by Michael Damaskinos, Theodoros Poulakis, and the Cretan School: Portrait of Alexander the Great standing, dressed in the costume and crown of a Byzantine emperor (left); Alexander the Great dining with Darius (upper right); Alexander the Great conversing with the Gymnosophists (lower right)

Occupying a place of distinction in the new digital portal—as in the cultural heritage of the Greek Community as a whole—is the Alexander Romance, the celebrated and uniquely illustrated fourteenth-century Byzantine manuscript by Michael Damaskinos, Theodoros Poulakis, and the Cretan School (Codex 5, Narrative of Alexander, Pseudo-Callisthenes). The manuscript contains 250 remarkable miniatures embellished with gold leaf, depicting—and imaginatively narrating—the life and legendary exploits of Alexander the Great. Comprising 193 parchment folios bound into twenty-three quires (measuring approximately 32 × 24 cm), the codex recounts the principal events of Alexander's life. He is portrayed not merely as the ancient Macedonian king but as a Byzantine emperor and protector, embodying the cultural legacy of Hellenism while leading campaigns beyond the boundaries of his empire as both a military leader and a just ruler. The Alexander Romance is a work of imaginative literature that achieved worldwide renown and has been translated into eleven languages. The manuscript's extraordinary illustrations vividly portray Alexander's birth and upbringing, his military campaigns, battles, sieges, encounters with foreign rulers, and his death. It is also presented on the digital platform through an interactive application. The Institute also preserves a further forty-seven manuscript books, forty of them in Greek, all of which have now been digitized in their entirety.

Noah’s Ark, second half of the 17th century, work by Theodoros Poulakis (https://istitutoellenico.org/museum/)

At the top of the digitized and documented images and artifacts are the works of Michael Damaskinos, the distinguished Cretan painter of the 16^th century, who managed to ideally combine the strict Byzantine tradition (maniera greca) with the innovations of the Italian Renaissance and the Venetian School (maniera latina) during the period he lived in Venice. The digital archive also presents the entire collection of Orthodox art inherited by the Institute from the Greek Community. This includes masterpieces of Byzantine iconography, such as the icons brought from Constantinople in the 15^th century by Anna Palaiologina Notaras, as well as dozens of works by well-known painters: Georgios Klontzas, Emmanuel Lambardos, Victor (painter), Franghias Kavertzas, Theodoros Poulakis, Ioannis Moskos, and Emmanuel Tzanes and Konstantinos Tzanes, among others. This collection allows every visitor to follow the evolution of Cretan painting from the 15^th to the 17^th century and to be taken on a journey from Byzantium to Crete and Corfu during those centuries. Also available on the same website are impressive icons by unknown artists, such as The Descent into Hades (late 14^th  century, unknown Constantinopolitan painter), The Dormition of the Virgin (second half of the 15th century, unknown painter from a Cretan workshop), and The Ascension (second half of the 15^th century, unknown painter from Candia).

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/)

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“Alpha Beta: Learning Greek in the West: Byzantium – Italy – Europe”

The post Digitizing Five Centuries of Greek Heritage in Venice appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The new VisitGreece.gr, the official online portal for Greek tourism, officially launched on 1 July 2026, marking a new chapter in Greece's digital tourism promotion and communication. Presenting the new platform, Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni said it represents a new approach to showcasing Greece's tourism identity internationally and engaging with visitors through the possibilities of modern technology. The redesign of VisitGreece.gr is part of the "Digital Transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organisation" project, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

In her address, Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni stressed that Greece's natural and cultural heritage is now acquiring a new digital dimension, further highlighting the authenticity, quality and richness of the experiences the country has to offer.  She noted that Greek tourism is in a strong growth phase, with 2025 marking a third consecutive record year. Revenues rose by 10% compared with 2024, outpacing arrivals and reflecting an upgrade in travel quality. She also pointed to continued growth beyond the summer season, with the first four months of 2026 showing a 37% increase in tourism revenues year-on-year. "These figures give us reason for optimism, but not for complacency," she said, noting that the international environment is constantly evolving.

The Minister underlined the goal of turning strong performance into long-term value for local communities, businesses and workers, while boosting the competitiveness of Greek destinations through diversification and special-interest tourism. These efforts are supported by Recovery and Resilience Facility-funded projects, including investments in infrastructure, accessibility and skills. Referring to the Digital Transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, she stressed that it goes beyond a new website, aiming to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem connecting information, culture, technology and the visitor experience.

(Source: https://mintour.gov.gr/  )

The new “VisitGreece.gr”

As the Minister explained, the project is developed along three main pillars:

• The Digital Tourism Map, which through extensive recording, organisation and documentation of Greece’s tourism assets will serve as a tool for planning, promotion and the sustainable development of each destination.

• The Digital Repository and the Digital Interactive Tourism Museum. For the first time, a vast volume of the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s (GNTO) historical archive has been organised and digitised. A valuable part of the history of Greek tourism is now preserved and made accessible to citizens, researchers and future generations.

• The complete redesign of VisitGreece and the creation of a unified digital experience through the new website and the VisitGreece app.

The Minister also referred to the cooperation between the Greek government and ElevenLabs, one of the world’s leading companies in voice AI. Through the new VisitGreece platform, this technology is brought directly to the public, offering multilingual communication and a new personalised information experience. At the same time, it serves as a valuable tool for regions, municipalities, local communities and tourism businesses.

The new VisitGreece leverages Artificial Intelligence, enabling users to interact with digital assistants, receive personalised recommendations, organise their trips and access real-time information through a more natural and human-like communication experience.

Artificial intelligence is at the core of the new digital ecosystem, powering the AI Recommendation Chatbot and the Virtual Tourist Office. Operating through two complementary modes—Chat Mode for personalized trip planning and InfoDesk Mode for verified information on visas, ferry services, accessibility, and other travel essentials—the system provides visitors with reliable, official guidance throughout their journey. The redesigned mAI Greece application has also been fully integrated into the new Visit Greece app, creating a seamless digital experience.

Going beyond traditional text-based interaction, the AI assistant now supports natural voice conversations through speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies, developed in collaboration with ElevenLabs. Visitors can speak in their own language, ask questions naturally, and receive spoken responses, significantly improving accessibility and making trusted travel information more immediate and intuitive.

The new Visit Greece portal and app further enhance the visitor experience by offering a fully personalized digital companion. Users can plan itineraries with the AI Trip Planner, navigate using their device's GPS, and receive live updates on events and activities. Greece's cultural heritage is brought to life through the Visit Greece AR App, which enables visitors to explore 3D models and digital reconstructions of cultural assets and reliefs, both on-site and remotely. The experience is completed with Traveler Stories, an interactive platform that allows visitors to share their own travel memories and experiences through intelligent content creation tools.

The Digital Transformation of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)

This is the most comprehensive and sophisticated digital infrastructure programme ever undertaken in the history of Greece's public tourism sector, creating a unified, interoperable ecosystem of national scale. The project encompasses the simultaneous development of multiple interconnected digital solutions, including the new VisitGreece.gr portal, its companion mobile application, and AI-powered assistants—the AI Trip Planner and AI Chatbot—designed to deliver personalized visitor services.

The programme also integrates a Digital Geographic Map featuring 15,000 documented points of interest, alongside initiatives to preserve and showcase the historical archive of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) through a 3D Interactive Museum and the Visit Greece AR App. Supporting this innovative digital ecosystem is a robust backend infrastructure powered by advanced Big Data Analytics and digital management systems for local tourism businesses.

The history of Greek tourism is preserved through the platform by means of two interconnected tools: the Digital Repository and the Digital Interactive Tourism Museum. Thousands of historical assets from the archives of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO)—including iconic posters, photographs, publications, and films—have been digitized, catalogued, and preserved. This unique collection is now accessible to the public, while the 3D Digital Interactive Tourism Museum allows users to explore the evolution of the Greek tourism brand from the 1950s to the present day through an immersive virtual experience, accessible directly from their computer.

The history of tourism campaigns in Greece demonstrates the evolution of the country’s destination branding, as tourism itself has been transformed over the years searching for experience and authenticity in a digital globalized world 

With its long coastline, islands and warm climate, Greece is an ideal destination for summer sports. Visitors can enjoy activities such as sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving, running and beach sports throughout the summer season from May to October across the mainland and the Greek islands.

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A journey to Greece’s tourism campaigns: from archaeology to sharing authentic experience and values

Memorandum of Understanding Between Greece and AI Company ElevenLabs for Digital Government

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«Ὡς χαρίεν ἔστ’ ἄνθρωπος, ἂν ἄνθρωπος ᾖ» - How beautiful—mature—a person is when they are truly humane

94 archaeological sites, monuments, and museums - 12 regions - 190 events – 95 productions featuring music, theatre, visual arts/performance (1 July to 31 August 2026)

The Ministry of Culture’s initiative “All of Greece, One Culture” returns for a seventh consecutive year in the summer of 2026 to present its richest and most diverse programme to date. An inextricable part of Greece’s cultural map and a vibrant meeting point where cultural heritage and modern creativity intersect, the initiative has been substantially enhanced this year, with the number of productions increasing, more than 900 artists featured in the programme, and greater participation from local communities. For two months, from the 1st of July to the 31st of August 2026, emblematic archaeological sites, monuments, and museums across Greece will come to life through original works of the performing arts, offering audiences a unique cultural experience. The Ministry of Culture provides free admission to all events in the “All of Greece, One Culture” 2026 programme.

Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, the Ministry of Culture’s “All of Greece, One Culture” programme has become one of Greece’s leading cultural institutions. Every July and August, it presents high-quality events at archaeological sites, monuments, and museums, creatively connecting contemporary art with cultural heritage. The programme also supports cultural professionals and local communities, attracting enthusiastic audiences from Greece and abroad. The initiative has its own website (www.allofgreeceoneculture.gr ), which is compatible with all mobile devices. Through the platform, users can be informed about the full programme of events and about each production separately, as well as make the necessary bookings for all the events. At the same time, this website offers an interactive map showing all performances by region, and in the “Sites & History” section, one can find presentations of all the archaeological sites that have hosted the events from 2020 to the present day.

All of Greece, One Culture 2026 - Locations & history: 94 archaeological sites, monuments, and museums - 12 regions. With the unique privilege of presenting its events at archaeological sites, monuments, and museums across Greece, the programme has been enhanced this year with 19 new venues, further expanding the initiative’s map. Through the inclusion of new archaeological sites, monuments, and museums, the programme strengthens its presence across the country, bringing to light locations of special historical and cultural significance as venues for modern artistic creativity and cultural dialogue.

The programme’s seventh run centers on a thematic focus inspired by the famous line from Menander’s play O Dyskolos (The Difficult), “How beautiful—mature—a person is when they are truly humane.” Creators and artistic groups have been invited to measure themselves against the enduring question of humanity and the need to return to humanity as a measure of artistic creativity in modern times, and to create original works of performing arts, as well as hybrid forms of artistic expression in dialogue with the specific thematic field. At a time when humanism and meta-humanism, live spectacles, and the digital condition coexist and confront one another, the return to humanity as a measure of artistic creativity is a necessary gesture. The context of “All of Greece, One Culture,” grounded in a dialogue between modern culture and the cultural repository of emblematic archaeological sites, is the ideal framework for creating works that explore the broad scope of wonder opened by Menander’s quote.

The programme includes 95 new productions featuring music (23), theatre (34), performances/events for young audiences (13), dance (14), visual arts/performance (8), and music theatre (3). The productions will be showcased in two performances each at 94 archaeological sites, monuments, and museums across 12 regions of Greece, excluding Attica, highlighting each place’s uniqueness and enhancing cultural decentralization. A total of 190 events will be held at various venues, including ancient theatres, Roman Odeons, Byzantine monuments, museums, castles, mosques, mansions, and sacred monasteries.

The events featured in 2026’s programme were selected by a special evaluation committee of the Ministry of Culture, following an open call issued via the Ministry’s online portal: drasis.culture.gr. In line with the initiative’s philosophy, these events are directed towards innovative and hybrid forms born of the dialectical pairing of multiple art forms in each event. The productions were developed from original proposals submitted by artistic groups. The evaluation committee, in collaboration with the pertinent authorities of the Ministry of Culture, selected the archaeological sites to showcase the productions across 12 regions of Greece.

This year’s TV spot for the “All of Greece, One Culture” programme draws inspiration from human nature. Filming took place at the National Archaeological Museum and features two students from the GNO Professional Dance School, Georgia Dimou and Georgios Tsiggos. The video was created using 3D animation techniques. Among the museum’s precious exhibits, human figures depicted on ancient statues come to the fore. In the spot, as the statues crack, the human figures within them come to life, move, experience emotions, and create. The campaign’s main concept highlights the connection from ancient times to the present, with humanity serving as the common thread linking all cultures and the driving force of creation throughout the centuries.

Events On Demand: The “All of Greece, One Culture” 2026 platform also offers audiences 30 selected filmed productions from 2024 and 2025, available on demand and free of charge

Booking for events is open through the programme’s official website:

www.allofgreeceoneculture.gr

The post All of Greece, One Culture 2026 appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

With its focus firmly on the future of Greek entrepreneurship, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), together with the Athens Startup Business Incubator (THEA), participated in BEYOND EXPO 2026, the leading technology exhibition in Southeast Europe. Through a rich program of events held at its exhibition booth, the Chamber highlighted the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, and international collaborations, providing Greek businesses and the startup ecosystem with practical tools to thrive in the new digital era.

Beyond Expo has rapidly evolved into one of the most influential technology and innovation platforms in Southeast Europe. Its positioning extends beyond a traditional exhibition format, functioning as a regional convergence point for technology, investment, digital policy and innovation ecosystems. It brings together: Technology companies, Startups & innovation organizations, Research and academic institutions, Institutional representatives, public organizations and local authorities, Innovation ecosystems from Greece and abroad. Beyond Expo therefore represents a knowledge triangle with a quintuple helix model – a meeting point of technology, innovation, and public policy.  This makes the platform particularly relevant for international business communities seeking strategic visibility and engagement in the region.

The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry is one of Greece's leading business organizations, representing and supporting enterprises across a wide range of sectors. Established in 1841, it promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, internationalization, and sustainable economic development. Through various initiatives, services, and business support programs, ACCI helps strengthen the competitiveness of Greek companies and contributes to the growth of the national economy.

The Athens Startup Business Incubator (THEA) is one of the most important initiatives of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (A.C.C.I.) aimed at supporting entrepreneurship. It focuses on nurturing innovative new business ideas with strong growth potential and an outward-looking orientation. Through THEA, the A.C.C.I. seeks to strengthen entrepreneurship in sectors related both to new technologies and technological innovation, as well as to traditional industries that demonstrate strong growth potential and international orientation.

In his welcoming address, the President of ACCI, Yiannis Bratakos, emphasized, among other things: “The next phase of the country’s development will depend on our ability to transform knowledge into products, technologies into business activity, and innovative ideas into export potential. This year, we chose to place special emphasis on Biotechnology and Health Sciences, a sector that combines scientific excellence with the creation of substantial added value. It embodies all the characteristics required for the country’s new productive model: innovation, outward orientation, high specialization, and the generation of strong added value.”

During the session “The Biotechnology and Life Sciences Ecosystem in Greece and Its Potential,” co-organized with Enterprise Greece and Bioinnovation Greece, participants examined the role of Artificial Intelligence in pharmaceutical development, , as well as issues related to sustainability and the transfer of research from the laboratory to the marketplace. The event concluded with the Biohealth-Biotech Competition, during which the sector’s most innovative ideas were presented and awarded.

Enterprise Greece is the official investment and trade promotion agency of the Greek State, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It serves as the gateway to the opportunities Greece offers. Its mission is two-fold: to provide foreign investors with a one-stop shop for information, consulting, and assistance through every phase of their investment project, and promote Greek products and services in international markets.

BioInnovation Greece (BiG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Greece’s biotechnology and life sciences ecosystem. Through innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic collaboration, it connects academia, industry, government, and international partners to drive scientific progress and economic growth. BiG’s goal is to position Greece as a regional hub for biotech innovation by supporting research, technology transfer, startups, and cross-sector partnerships. BioInnovation Greece Forum 2026, to be held on October 1–4, 2026 at Technopolis City of Athens, will convene leading figures from biotech, healthcare, research, startups, investment, and public policy.

The Greece–Slovakia Business Forum was co-organized by Enterprise Greece and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), with the support of EEN Hellas.

The Open Innovation Challenge, a joint initiative of ACCI and the Ministry of Digital Governance, was launched by Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence Dimitris Papastergiou and ACCI President Yiannis Bratakos.

The session on the “Positive Agenda Greece–Turkey” carried particular political and economic significance, highlighting the role of ACCI and THEA in strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation between the two countries. The discussion featured Mr. Bratakos, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Haris Theoharis, the Ambassador of Turkey to Greece H.E. Çağatay Erciyes, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital Governance, Konstantinos Karantzalos. Emphasizing the new dimension of economic diplomacy, Mr. Bratakos noted: “Economic diplomacy through innovation is gaining particular importance, as partnerships are no longer built only in official offices, but also in incubators, startups, and technology communities. Initiatives such as the Greece–Turkey Hackathon go beyond a simple activity. They function as platforms for collaboration and knowledge exchange with long-term impact. Most importantly, they are not limited to the duration of a competition, but create the conditions for continuity, building relationships of trust among young people who are shaping the future of the economy.” In this context, the upcoming Greece–Turkey Hackathon 2026 was also presented, with this year’s central theme being Artificial Intelligence.

The activities of ACCI concluded with the Ready 4 Invest: Investment Readiness Toolkit (EEN2EIC) workshop and the event “Strategies for the Internationalization of Tech Startups and SMEs,” co-organized with Enterprise Greece.

Throughout the three-day event, visitors also had the opportunity to meet 10 innovative startups supported by the Athens Startup Incubator (THEA) of ACCI: EmAIRging, Brainfood Intelligent Media Cloud, Papertrail, Wocap, Oinovation, Synergy Accounting Intelligence Network, CloudSignals, HORECA360, Run4More, and KORI.

(Source: https://acci.gr/ )

The post The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry at BEYOND EXPO 2026 appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

Leading representatives of the political, business, and investment communities from Greece and abroad gathered in Athens on June 22 for the third consecutive year for the Growthfund Investor Summit 2026. Under the theme, "Navigating the New Geoeconomic Order: Greece as a Strategic Hub for Capital and Growth," the summit highlighted the opportunities emerging for Greece from the evolving global geoeconomic landscape. Discussions focused on the forces shaping the next chapter of growth for the Greek economy, spanning investments and strategic infrastructure, artificial intelligence, energy, innovation, and tourism.

Growthfund, the National Fund of Greece, is the asset manager of a major portfolio of state-owned enterprises (https://growthfund.gr/en/)

Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis delivered the opening remarks, while Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas also spoke at the event. The summit concluded with an address by National Economy and Finance Minister and Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis. Representatives of major international organisations and investment institutions also took part, including the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), along with executives from leading Greek and international corporate groups.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/en/  ,  https://www.naftemporiki.gr/english/ )

Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis stated at the GFI Summit 2026, among others, that the Greek Innovation and Infrastructure Fund is now fully operational, with its first investment in digital infrastructure expected to be announced shortly. The Fund aims to mobilize more than €1 billion in investments over the next three years, while projects financed in the longer term are expected to reach €20 billion. He noted that the Fund, established under Law 5131/2024, forms part of a broader reform of Growthfund and its subsidiaries, supporting co-investments in strategic sectors and strengthening Greece’s development prospects. This is an instrument that has existed for years in most European countries but was missing from Greece. “Growthfund is no longer a vehicle serving the repayment of public debt; it is gradually being transformed into a major national development fund,” he said. Hatzidakis also highlighted the progress achieved by Growthfund and its subsidiaries in upgrading public services, improving the management of public assets, and accelerating investments in strategic infrastructure through the Strategic Contracts Unit.

Kostis Hatzidakis highlighted investors’ strong confidence in the Greek economy, noting that Foreign Direct Investment has exceeded €44 billion since 2019 and that Greece has recorded the highest increase in investment in the EU over the same period. He stressed that the country is increasingly attracting long-term capital and establishing itself as a stable and reliable investment destination.

He also announced the signing of the concession agreement for Kalamata International Airport with the consortium of Fraport, Delta Airport Investments, and PILEAS Holdings. The project is of particular importance for Messinia and the Peloponnese as a whole and is expected to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure and services, create jobs, and boost the local economy, while complementing the successful concession model already implemented at Greece’s 14 regional airports and soon to be extended to 22 smaller regional airports.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/)

Concession agreement for Kalamata International Airport

The panel “Scaling Up Greece’s Investments Pipeline” brought together Giannis Papachristou, CEO of Growthfund, Nikos Stathopoulos, Chairman of Europe at BC Partners, and Giovanni Callegari, Head of Economic Risk Analysis at the European Stability Mechanism (ESM). The discussion focused on investment opportunities emerging in Greece and Europe, the role of artificial intelligence, competitiveness challenges, and the conditions needed to create the next generation of business champions, against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and evolving global economic challenges.

Giannis Papachristou, CEO of Growthfund, highlighted Greece’s emergence as a pillar of stability and an increasingly important hub for energy, logistics, transportation, and digital infrastructure in the Eastern Mediterranean. He noted that the country’s EU membership, skilled workforce, and strategic location continue to strengthen its investment appeal, while estimating that an additional €15 billion in annual investment is needed to accelerate economic transformation.

Emphasizing Growthfund’s role in attracting capital, Papachristou said investors look for three key factors: credibility, speed, and a strong project pipeline. He pointed to strengthened corporate governance standards, including merit-based board appointments and performance-based management evaluation. He highlighted the contribution of Growthfund’s Strategic Contracts and Projects Unit, which has launched more than 850 tenders, awarded projects worth €2.5 billion, and built a pipeline approaching €10 billion. Papachristou also pointed to the successful listing of Athens International Airport and the improved performance of Growthfund’s portfolio companies, with eight out of ten now profitable. Looking ahead, he said Growthfund is shifting its focus from successful divestments to strategic investments in sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure. He also highlighted the Invest10 initiative, developed with McKinsey, which identified 30 mature investment opportunities from an initial review of around 100 sectors. The next step is to select ten fully investable projects to be presented to the international investment community.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/ )

A Memorandum of Understanding between Growthfund and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) was signed as part of Growthfund’s conference. Giannis Papachristou said that Greece has all the conditions to significantly strengthen its position in the global meetings and exhibitions industry. He highlighted the country’s strong brand, strategic geographic location, highly skilled workforce, and rich tourism experience, as well as a unique cultural legacy spanning more than 40 centuries.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/  )

Dimitris Papastergiou, Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, described the Pharos AI Factory as a tool capable of creating real value, speaking at Growthfund’s Investor Summit 2026. He noted that the initiative will serve as an open hub for artificial intelligence in Greece. “We are not simply building a supercomputer. We are building the country’s capacity to develop, test, and deploy AI solutions with a Greek footprint and in line with European standards,” he said, outlining the structure of the Pharos AI Factory, which is being developed in Lavrio around Greece’s first national supercomputer, Daedalus. Papastergiou added that “Daedalus is only the beginning,” emphasizing that the ecosystem of training, access, and expertise being built around these infrastructures will be expanded through new facilities currently being developed by GRNET in Kozani. “Artificial intelligence requires talent, and Greece has an abundance of it. It also requires data, which is why we recently made available 22,000 open, high-quality datasets through data.gov.gr, as well as the necessary infrastructure,” said Papastergiou, emphasizing the importance of AI for productivity, competitiveness, and the country’s long-term development prospects.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/  )

Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, speaking at the Growthfund Investor Summit 2026, emphasized that strengthening supply chain resilience, facilitating international trade, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and safeguarding the free and secure movement of people and goods are key priorities for Greece. Describing Greece as a “bridge of stability connecting Europe, the Balkans, the Black Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Middle East,” Dimas highlighted recent efforts to advance regional connectivity. He noted that, during a meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania reaffirmed their commitment to completing the Black Sea–Aegean axis as part of the Baltic–Black Sea–Aegean (BBA) Corridor. He also said he held discussions with representatives from the Western Balkans, Moldova, Ukraine, as well as investors and financial institutions, on accelerating the infrastructure projects needed to ensure the smooth and profitable operation of the Western Balkans–Eastern Mediterranean corridor.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/  )

Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Minister of National Economy and Finance, announced the renaming of Growthfund to the National Development Fund, describing it as both a symbolic and substantive reflection of Greece’s transformation beyond the crisis years. He said the organization’s mission is now to convert public assets into productive capital, mobilize investment, and support long-term economic growth. “The time is now,” Pierrakakis stressed, calling on Greece to invest, accelerate reforms, and seize new development opportunities.

Pierrakakis said Growthfund’s transformation marks a shift from crisis management to a strategic development role, acting as a catalyst for investment and long-term growth. He noted that Growthfund currently manages assets worth approximately €12.3 billion, with a portfolio of 23 subsidiaries and holdings, operations across 11 strategic sectors of the economy, and more than 25,000 employees within its companies. These assets span critical national infrastructure in energy, transport, logistics, real estate, and networks. Growthfund provides the institutional framework needed to align investments, infrastructure, productivity, and public administration reforms into a coherent engine for long-term economic growth.

Pierrakakis said this is precisely Growthfund’s strategic role: to mobilize capital, mature projects, and accelerate investment in key sectors of the economy. He highlighted the Invest10 initiative, developed jointly by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, Growthfund, and McKinsey, which identifies priority sectors on both emerging industries—such as semiconductors, data centers, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and high-tech startups—and established strengths, including infrastructure, energy, logistics, agrifood, medical tourism, and the “silver economy.” He also stressed that competitiveness depends on concrete factors such as energy costs, financing access, licensing speed, logistics efficiency, and productivity, with Growthfund positioned at the center of these dynamics as Europe advances integration in capital markets, energy, and infrastructure.

(Source: https://www.amna.gr/)

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Greece continues to make significant progress in its digital transformation, as reflected in two leading international assessments by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Commission. The latest reports confirm improvements in public digital services, the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and the country’s steady progress toward achieving the objectives of the Digital Decade 2030.

OECD (2026), Digital Government Outlook. According to the OECD’s Digital Government Outlook 2026 report, Greece ranks among the countries demonstrating strong performance in the digital transformation of public administration, achieving an overall score of 0.71, compared with the OECD average of 0.70. Greece’s performance surpasses that of several advanced economies.

Greece also outperforms the OECD average across four key indicators:

User-Driven: 0.77 vs. 0.71

Government as a Platform: 0.75 vs. 0.71

Proactiveness: 0.70 vs. 0.67

Open by Default: 0.63 vs. 0.59

The report highlights several flagship initiatives, including the Interoperability Center of the Ministry of Digital Governance, gov.gr with more than 2,250 digital services, the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hellenic Cadastre, the digital assistant mAigov, and the new national open data portal data.gov.gr. These initiatives underscore Greece’s commitment to modernizing public administration, improving service delivery, and fostering greater transparency and accessibility through digital technologies.

European Commission’s Digital Decade 2026 Report

According to the European Commission’s Digital Decade 2026 Report, Greece continues to consistently implement its national strategy for the digital transformation of public administration and is steadily converging with the broader European Union digital agenda. The country addressed 83% of the European Commission’s recommendations, maintaining its steady progress toward achieving the Digital Decade targets throughout 2025. Public digital services for citizens reached 79.4% in 2025, while digital services for businesses rose to 86%, exceeding national projections of 76.2% and 84.4%, respectively.

Particularly strong performance is evident in digital infrastructure. 5G network coverage now reaches 99.5% of the population, effectively approaching the national target of 100% by 2030 and significantly surpassing the 2025 projected milestone of 90%. Similarly, coverage in rural and island areas has reached 99%, making a substantial contribution to reducing geographical disparities in digital connectivity. At the same time, Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and Very High Capacity Networks (VHCN) are expanding at an annual growth rate of 29.7%, more than five times the European average. From virtually zero coverage in 2019, Greece has increased FTTP and VHCN coverage to 59.8%, exceeding the projected 2025 benchmark of 51% and reaffirming its steady trajectory toward universal coverage by 2030.

The European Commission’s report also highlights Greece’s strengthened geostrategic role as a digital hub for Southeastern Europe, driven by investments in submarine cable systems, international telecommunications infrastructure, and data centers. At the same time, the implementation of the country’s national data governance policy and the new National Cybersecurity Strategy are enhancing the resilience, reliability, and security of Greece’s digital infrastructure. The report further underscores Greece’s growing presence in advanced technologies. Key initiatives include the establishment of the “Pharos” AI Factory, one of the first seven AI Factories in the European Union, Greece’s participation in European initiatives for quantum infrastructure, and the creation of the Hellenic Microchip Competence Centre, aimed at strengthening expertise and innovation in semiconductor technologies.

The “Pharos” AI Factory

The Hellenic Microchip Competence Centre

(Source: 2026 digital decade eHealth indicator study. Annex : country factsheets )

Digital health

The country’s progress is also evident in the field of digital health. According to the eHealth Indicator Study 2026 by Capgemini Invent, Greece recorded one of the largest annual improvements in Europe, with its composite digital health index increasing by 20 percentage points in a single year to reach 94%, compared with an EU average of 87%. With this performance, Greece ranks among the leading EU member states in digital health.

The progress reflected in international assessments is accompanied by areas where Greece is expected to accelerate its efforts further. The Digital Decade 2026 Report identifies the strengthening of digital skills as a key challenge for the coming years. Currently, 51% of citizens aged 16–74 possess at least basic digital skills, compared with 60.4% across the European Union. The report also highlights the need to further expand the pool of professionals in information and communication technologies (ICT) and to accelerate the digital transformation of businesses. At the same time, the report acknowledges that Greece is advancing at a faster pace than the European average in several critical areas, including fiber-optic deployment, public digital services, electronic identification (eID), access to electronic health records, and the adoption of advanced digital technologies. These achievements confirm that Greece is steadily converging with the European Union’s digital standards and objectives.

Observed Key Performance Indicators as Percentage of the EU 2030 targets. The graphs represent the observed Key Performance Indicators in Greece as a percentage of the EU 2030 targets.  (Source: https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/factpages/greeces-2026-digital-decade-country-report )

(Source:https://www.amna.gr/mobile/article/1002163/Diethnis-anagnorisi-gia-ton-psifiako-metaschimatismo-tis-Elladas-,  https://www.mindigital.gr/ ) 

Read also:

Speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the “AI Impact Summit”, at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition Centre, New Delhi, 19.2.2026

Memorandum of Understanding Between Greece and AI Company ElevenLabs for Digital Government

Greece’s “Pharos”: A landmark proposal for Europe’s AI Factory Initiative and for the creation of a Greek Large Language Model

DAEDALUS Supercomputer Enters Final Implementation Phase

The post Greece’s Digital Transformation Receives International Acclaim appeared first on Greek News Agenda.

The International Training Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ) organized a two-day joint training program at the facilities of the School of Advanced Training and Professional Development (Continuing Education) of the Hellenic Police in Northern Greece in Veria, creating a shared training environment for media professionals and security personnel.

The initiative, supported by the OSCE and conducted under the scientific supervision of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, brought together representatives of the security services and media professionals, focusing on the exchange of best practices and a practical approach to crisis management. Its objective was to develop common practices and strengthen cooperation in the field during the coverage of crises and high-risk incidents. The training concluded with participants gaining practical tools and collaborative strategies for covering high-risk events safely and effectively.

(Photo: https://www.facebook.com/dkirmikiroglou )

Secretary General for Communication and Information, Dimitris Kirmikiroglou, addressing the trainees, noted, among others, that the joint training of journalists and security personnel brings together two professional communities that are often required to operate under conditions of tension, such as demonstrations and social mobilizations. Through this process, both sides gain a better understanding of each other's roles and needs.

He stressed that the ICSJ has successfully translated ideas and proposals into practical initiatives with tangible results, while highlighting the role of training and systematic cooperation in fostering a culture of mutual respect and a deeper understanding of each other's roles. The Secretary General further emphasized that the State consistently supports initiatives that strengthen the safety of journalists and promote institutional dialogue among all stakeholders, noting that safeguarding freedom of information is a fundamental prerequisite for the proper functioning of democracy.

Professor Nikos Panayiotou of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Director of the Peace Journalism Laboratory and Head of the ICSJ, stressed that this training forms part of a series of initiatives implemented since the establishment of the ICSJ. As he explained, these initiatives not only enhance the country's international profile but, more importantly, bring to the forefront of public discussion the issues facing journalists, particularly those related to their safety while carrying out their professional duties and fulfilling their vital role.

He noted that the initiative, implemented with the support of the OSCE, seeks to address a range of critical issues arising in the practice of journalism during crisis situations, with particular emphasis on relations and interactions with security forces. According to Professor Panayiotou, this issue has proven to be of major importance, as significant challenges have emerged over time that require meaningful responses and practical solutions. "Our goal is to provide solutions in the field, not theoretical approaches detached from reality," he said, while also expressing his satisfaction with the work carried out by the ICSJ. "We address the real challenges journalists face in their work and strive to tackle them through practical interventions and initiatives," he concluded.

Christos Frangonikolopoulos, Dean of the School of Economics and Political Sciences at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, referred to the importance of the training implemented by the International Center for the Safety of Journalists. As he noted, at a time when freedom of expression—and journalists' freedom in particular—faces significant challenges, initiatives that promote understanding and cooperation among all stakeholders are essential. The attacks and pressures faced by journalists, whether through social media or while covering events in conflict zones and other critical situations, make such initiatives all the more necessary, he emphasized.

He described the seminar as particularly important, as it helps inform the security services—and especially the Hellenic Police—about the framework within which journalists operate, their rights and responsibilities, and the unique conditions they face in carrying out their profession. At the same time, he stressed that free and independent journalism is a fundamental prerequisite for pluralism and diversity of voices in a democratic society. He added that state support and the cultivation of relationships based on mutual understanding between journalists and public institutions contribute to strengthening the journalistic profession.

The training concluded with the presentation of certificates of participation to all attendees by the Commandant of the School, Sofia Gaitanidou, and the Training Coordinator, Dr. Ilias Nikezis, Executive Director of the International Center.

(Source: “Veria: The International Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals Focuses on Crisis Coverage and Field Incident Management”,  https://www.amna.gr/ )

The International Training Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ)has an educational and research focus. Regarding the educational focus, ICSJ utilizes the material and tools of the academic community and provides specialized training to journalists and media professionals. Regarding the research focus, the Center implements extended research on topics related to the safety of journalists and media professionals, both in war zones and in crisis, as well as threats against them, connected with everyday work, such as physical, legal, economic, freedom of expression and cyber security issues. In parallel, ICSJ aims to develop support tools, as well as a supportive network for journalists and media professionals that operate in war zones and crises. ICSJ acts under the scientific responsibility of the Peace Journalism Laboratory, Department of Journalism and Media, of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Read also:

Greece announced a three-year roadmap for the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists

Greece Strengthens Global Efforts to Protect Journalists and End Impunity

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The web portal Study in Greece is campaigning for the promotion and international visibility of Greek Universities and the comparative educational advantages of our country. In particular, the campaign focuses on the foreign language study programs that Greek Universities offer to Greek and international students. The initiative is supported by the General Secretariat of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. In this context, a number of educational programs and actions are presented in detail on a regular basis, such as undergraduate and postgraduate programs, summer schools etc, to inform international students about the many foreign language options offered by Greek Universities.

Panagiotis Partsinevelos is a Professor of Space Informatics and Unmanned Systems and Director of the Laboratory of Geodesy and Informatics of Geosciences at the School of Mineral Resources Engineering of the Technical University of Crete.  He is also the Director of the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials.

Study in Greece interviewed Professor Panagiotis Partsinevelos on the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials, its features and what it has to offer to international students.

School of Mineral Resources Engineering of the Technical University of Crete at Chania

Please give us a brief overview of the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials, its structure and main research areas.

The Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources and Raw Materials MSc is a 3-semester 90 ECTS program delivered under a hybrid mode in English by the School of Mineral Resources Engineering of the Technical University of Crete. It is structured around two core pillars: Energy Resources, focusing on reservoir engineering, Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS), and biofuels and Raw Materials, focusing on low-grade ore and near-zero-waste processing, critical raw materials recovery and recycling. These scientific areas are supported by high-end research laboratories equipped with advanced technological infrastructure, from geostatistical modeling and seismic processing to geoinformatics, automation and robotics. In addition, the implementation of many national and EU-funded projects in our School enables students to get acquainted with top quality research that advances beyond the current state of the art (SoA) and generates scientific breakthrough. The contribution of this Master’s program lies in providing high-level expertise in the extraction, processing, recycling, and environmental management of mineral raw materials and energy resources, a matter of strategic importance at both the national and global levels.

Could you tell us a few things about the program’s alignment with the Technical University of Crete’s broader picture and goals for internationalization?

The program extends well beyond the University’s strategy since the energy and mineral resources fields define the backbone of modern economies and the primary reason for geopolitical balance. The program provides the knowledge of sustainable extraction methods for strategic autonomy in the supply chains of rare earth elements and energy resources while enabling students to decouple the link between economic growth and environmental degradation through circular economy principles.

Thus, internationalization is a defining necessity and prerequisite of our program, scaled from local to global challenges.

In addition, through its core participation in the EURECA-PRO European University alliance, one of the strategic University alliances across Europe, the MSc program facilitates the cross-border mobility of engineering talent required to implement UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The MSc addresses a multicultural academic environment. It directly connects TUC’s engineering expertise with the European industrial network, facilitating mobility and collaborative research across borders.

“Sustainability” seems to be a term used so frequently that it may lose its meaning. How does sustainability take form in your MSc?

In this program, sustainability is defined by technical efficiency and hands-on results. It is embedded in the Low Environmental Footprint modules and Sustainable Mineral Processing objectives. Rather than theoretical discussion, sustainability in our program is translated to engineering systems that minimize waste, maximize the recovery of secondary raw materials from industrial by-products, and ensure the geomechanical safety of energy infrastructure. On the principle of technical verticality, sustainable solutions cannot be dissociated from a full understanding of the physical processes of production and extraction, requiring deep knowledge of thermodynamics, geomechanics, and chemical processing. Meaningful decarbonization and resource efficiency are not achieved through administrative management alone, but through the fundamental redesign and reengineering of industrial workflows, essential to the global industrial transition. In addition to the term “sustainability” we also introduce and justify another term in our MSc program, “responsible” mining and processing of raw materials mainly for the production of critical and strategic elements.

Please give us a few examples of the professional prospects for graduates of the program.

Graduates enter the global market as specialized engineers capable of leading and managing the routes of the energy transition and raw materials challenges. Career paths include resource engineers for the critical minerals supply chain, subsurface engineers for carbon sequestration and geothermal projects, environmental engineers in the recycling industries and consultants for international energy firms navigating the transition to net-zero, Social License to Operate (SLO) and ESG Governance. Also, the future of the sector focuses on digital mining, automation, robotic systems, digital twins, AI, In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)and data analytics, to drive sustainability, circular economy practices, and environmental risk mitigation in industrial extraction sectors. 

Could you share a few insights on the international outlook of the program? What impact will your graduates expect to create in sustainable development on a global level?

The program specifically addresses the technical demands of the European Green Deal and the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The program aligns with the global shift to a sustainable energy economy, projecting a substantial increase in mineral demand by 2050, especially for battery metals, to meet net-zero targets. By mastering the extraction and processing of the materials required for renewable technologies, our graduates play a decisive role in securing global supply chains. Their impact will be reflected in the implementation of "Near-Zero-Waste" protocols and the development of cleaner energy resources that reduce global reliance on carbon-intensive fuels.

What is the one defining quality of your MSc that you believe makes it especially attractive to international students?

The defining quality of the MSc in Sustainable Technologies of Energy Resources is that it offers a direct path into the strategic autonomy sectors of the global economy, where the demand for expertise currently far exceeds the available supply. While many international programs address "sustainability" from a policy or environmental management perspective, this MSc focuses on the physicality of the transition, teaching the technologies required to secure the supply of critical raw materials (Lithium, Nickel. Cobalt, Copper, Rare Earth Elements) which are currently the primary bottleneck in the global economy.

By bridging the fields of raw material and energy resources, the program equips international students with the ability to understand and solve the energy-materials balance. This provides a direct path to becoming a high-level technical leader in the most strategic sectors of the future global economy.

Applications are now open! For more, follow the link:

https://apply.studyingreece.edu.gr/en/programmes/msc/1650/details/sustainable-technologies-of-energy-resources-and-raw-materials

Chania is a vibrant student city where history, innovation, and natural beauty meet. An inspiring Mediterranean destination offering exceptional quality of life and outdoor experiences. (Photo: https://www.visitgreece.gr/)

Read more:

https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/crete/chania/

https://www.chaniatourism.gr/

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The Greek shipbuilding industry is a sector that enters a new period of reconstruction and growth. This development is not coincidental. Geopolitical realignments, Europe’s increasing need for defense autonomy, the restructuring of global supply chains, and the search for new industrial drivers of growth are creating an environment in which Greece is seeking to reposition itself on the international shipbuilding map. (Cover photo: ONEX's shipyards in Syros).

At the center of this effort are the country’s three major shipbuilding hubs: ONEX’s shipyards in Elefsina and Syros, Skaramangas Shipyards, and Salamis Shipyards. A common feature of these initiatives is the development of strategic partnerships with major industrial groups from abroad, primarily from South Korea, Germany, and France, with the support of the United States within a broader strategic framework. These partnerships aim to strengthen the domestic industrial base, facilitate the transfer of expertise and know-how, promote the development of advanced technologies, and create a modern industrial ecosystem.

At Posidonia 2026, the ONEX Shipyards & Technologies Group presented its comprehensive vision for the future of the shipbuilding industry, energy, maritime infrastructure, and emerging technologies. At the center of the Group’s presence were new shipbuilding projects, energy developments, offshore energy production solutions, the serial production of ONEX RAstar 2800 tugboats, as well as the advanced repair, conversion, and technical support services provided by ONEX’s shipyards in Elefsina and Syros. (Source: https://www.facebook.com/OnexElefsisShipyardsSA/ )

The heads of the three shipyards, speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), describe a shared vision: transforming Greece into a regional hub for shipbuilding, defense manufacturing, ship repair and maintenance, and the construction of specialized high-value-added vessels. At the same time, they emphasize the importance of new investments in creating thousands of jobs, upgrading workforce skills, and strengthening the country’s industrial presence. At a time when Europe is seeking new production capabilities in the defense and industrial sectors, Greek shipyards are aiming to capitalize on the country’s comparative advantages: its maritime heritage, strategic geographic location, and extensive experience in one of the most important sectors of the Greek economy.

The common denominator across all three cases is that the revival of the Greek shipbuilding industry is no longer viewed as an isolated industrial initiative, but rather as part of a broader national strategy that integrates the economy, technology, defense, and international competitiveness. The international partnerships already underway are creating the conditions for Greek shipyards to regain a significant position on the global stage, transforming a traditional sector of the economy into a major driver of growth for the decades ahead.

ONEX’s shipyards in Elefsina and Syros

ONEX's shipyards in Elefsina (photo amna.gr)

ONEX's shipyards in Syros

The most ambitious investment plan is being presented by ONEX through Project Trident, a €1.35 billion program that aims to establish a fully integrated production line for warships and submarines, with Greek participation exceeding 70% of the total project value. At the heart of the initiative is a strategic partnership with South Korean company Hanwha Ocean to develop capabilities for constructing advanced submarines and frigates. According to the investment plan, the first customer to join the frigate production line would receive its first vessel in 2031, while delivery of the first submarine is projected for 2034.

According to Panos Xenokostas, Chairman of the ONEX Group, the objective is to transform the shipyards of Elefsina and Syros into the “southern pillar” of the European shipbuilding industry. As he told ANA-MPA, the next stage of development is closely tied to the introduction of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence technologies, as well as the transfer of critical expertise that would enable Greece to acquire the capability to build submarines, frigates, and other complex naval vessels. At the same time, the program is expected to create up to 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing a significant boost to employment and domestic industrial production.

Skaramangas Shipyards

Skaramangas Shipyards (photo amna.gr)

Skaramangas Shipyards are also poised to play a significant role in the evolving landscape of the Greek shipbuilding industry. Within a short period following the resumption of their operations, the shipyards have expanded their activities in both the commercial and defense sectors. Particularly important are the partnerships with South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Germany’s TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems). The agreement with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries focuses on the design and construction of surface vessels and is expected to strengthen the participation of Greek industry in future shipbuilding programs through the transfer of expertise and best practices from one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups. At the same time, the cooperation with TKMS is centered on the modernization of the Hellenic Navy’s submarine fleet, leveraging the German company’s extensive expertise in Type 214 submarines.

Within the framework of Posidonia 2026, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Skaramangas Shipyards, represented by Miltiadis Varvitsiotis (right), and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, represented by Kim Jae Rak (https://www.amna.gr/) 

The Chief Executive Officer of Skaramangas Shipyards, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, told ANA-MPA that the shipyards’ trajectory serves as an example of how the revival of the Greek shipbuilding industry can be linked to the emerging needs of European defense and security. As he noted, Greece possesses the skilled workforce, geostrategic location, and maritime tradition required to play a leading role in the evolving European defense ecosystem. He added, the development of the shipyards is not solely about industrial production; it is also about creating expertise, generating added value, and fostering new employment opportunities that can have a multiplier effect on the Greek economy.

Salamis Shipyards

At the third pillar of the Greek shipbuilding industry, Salamis Shipyards are pursuing a strategy focused on specialization and participation in international defense supply chains. The company has already developed significant activity in supporting high-technology defense programs and is actively involved in the production of sections and components for naval vessels serving international customers. A notable example is its partnership with Naval Group under the FDI Frigate Program. Through this collaboration, Salamis Shipyards manufactures critical steel structures and ship sections for vessels destined for both the French Navy and the Hellenic Navy.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Salamis Shipyards, George Koros, believes that the Greek shipbuilding industry is facing a historic opportunity, driven both by geopolitical developments and by Europe’s efforts to strengthen its strategic autonomy. As he emphasizes, the objective is not mass production but the development of high-value-added vessels for specialized markets. Within this framework, Salamis Shipyards are exploring the expansion of their activities into the construction of next-generation commercial vessels, with particular emphasis on LNG carriers and high-specification dry cargo ships. This strategy is directly linked to the energy transition and the growing global demand for more efficient and environmentally friendly vessels—a sector in which Greek industry is seeking to establish a stronger presence.

He further stresses that Greece today possesses all the necessary prerequisites to transform its maritime strength and geostrategic position into industrial value creation, with the shipbuilding industry evolving into one of the key pillars of the country's economic development.

Salamis Shipyards - FDI Frigate Formion Blocks Construction

(Source: “Greek Shipyards Invest in International Partnerships and Seek a Role in the European Defense Ecosystem” by Thanassis Papadis, https://www.amna.gr/ )

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