Following the successful open event titled “Bridges of Cooperation for the Green Economy”, which aimed to bring together representatives from the main pillars of the quadruple helix (public authorities, businesses, academia, and citizens), KEPA coordinated a series of training and networking activities. These were primarily addressed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the Region of Central Macedonia.
With the aim of further strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs in the region, KEPA, as an active partner in the GREENSMES project, contributed to the online event: “Green Innovation in SMEs: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future in the IPA Adrion Region”, which attracted over 90 entrepreneurs and professionals from nine Adriatic-Ionian countries.
Online Regional Event (23–24 June 2025)
The two-day event featured:
• Presentations of good practices by businesses and organizations that have adopted green strategies
• Thematic panel discussions with green economy experts
• Interactive country-based workshops, offering participants the opportunity to:
o Network and exchange experiences
o Highlight common challenges and needs of SMEs
o Co-develop proposals to support sustainable entrepreneurship and meet modern economic demands
Highlights of the first Day:
• In the panel on Green Innovation in SMEs, Ms. Apostolina Tsaltampasi, E.U. Female Entrepreneurship Ambassador and President of WEnCoop, the first Women’s Energy Communitym represented Greece. She spoke on collaborative business models and cooperatives supporting sustainable development and the green economy.
• Representing Central Macedonia, Mr. Georgios Kazantzidis, President of ECO//SUN, presented an innovative solution for smart cities using electric vehicles: the ECOCAR™ Electric Vehicle, demonstrating how ICT can transform urban transport to smart mobility and mitigate environmental impacts.
Interactive Sessions of the second Day:
KEPA’s executives played a key role in facilitating interactive online workshops for Greek participants. After each group session, they presented conclusions and proposals regarding:
• Promotion of innovation and new technologies for sustainability
• Development of knowledge and skills necessary to address environmental challenges and foster sustainable growth
This action promoted cross-border cooperation, strengthened interregional networks, and highlighted green innovation as a driver of growth and competitiveness for SMEs in the Adriatic-Ionian region.
Local Event (14–15 July 2025, Hellenic Design Centre, Thessaloniki)
This in-person workshop focused on “Green Innovation and Business Development“, involving 16 enterprises from sectors such as energy, ICT, manufacturing, smart mobility, services, and agri-food.
Objectives:
• Introducing SMEs to green innovation opportunities at local and international levels
• Lay the groundwork for upgrading green skills
• Familiarize participants with concepts of the green economy guided by top experts
Day 1:
• KEPA presented the GREENSMES project
• Ms. Apostolina Tsaltampasi delivered a session on “Strategy and Culture of Green Innovation”
• Using digital tools and interactive activities, participants explored:
o Potential motivations and needs for implementing innovative business action plans
Concluding the day, Ms. Jenny Eleme, Research & Innovation Expert at OECON, presented:
• Key aspects of the Innovation Lifecycle
• Success and failure stories
• A vibrant discussion on the phenomenon of greenwashing
Day 2:
Participants conducted self-assessments of their businesses regarding:
• Levels of green innovation and use of new technologies
It became evident that many companies are engaged in green economy initiatives without realizing or measuring their environmental impact. The findings underlined the need for specialized guidance through action plans tailored for each business to:
• Adopt a green culture
• Achieve sustainable business growth, supported by upcoming activities under the GREENSMES project
These events made a significant contribution to strengthening the sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting the transition of SMEs to a greener, more resilient, and modern business model.
With its expertise and network, KEPA continues to play a key role in supporting entrepreneurship, both at a local and interregional level.