The Energy Policy and Development Centre (KEPA) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), a UNAI member institution, in its capacity as UNAI Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 Hub Co-Chair, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Municipality of Elefsina, Greece, to advance sustainable urban development, environmental action and community engagement.
The agreement was signed during a meeting at KEPA premises by the Mayor of the Municipality of Elefsina, Mr. Georgios Georgopoulos, and Prof. Dimitrios Mavrakis, representing KEPA and the UNAI SDG 7 Hub. The ceremony brought together representatives from local government and academia in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Under the Memorandum, KEPA will provide, free of charge, trees of Greek flora through financing from the Greek Green Fund. The Municipality will undertake the procedures for planting and will encourage the participation of citizens, particularly youth groups.
Both parties also agreed to explore further collaboration on SDG 7 and related sustainability issues, including energy poverty, circular economy, electromobility and the introduction of hydrogen in the transport sector.
The signing forms part of KEPA’s outward-looking policy to promote the 2030 Agenda, with a particular focus on SDG 7: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Thirty-two municipalities across Greece have already signed similar memoranda. In addition, five annual international conferences on climate change adaptation have been jointly organized with the Central Union of Greek Municipalities and the Environmental and Educational Park in Bourazani, Konitsa, Greece.
By linking academic expertise with local action, the partnership demonstrates how universities and municipalities can work together to create greener cities, expand community participation and accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
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