Press Release – Evaluation of the 1st National Stakeholder Meeting of the URBANFLOODS Project
Kozani, February 6, 2025 – The 1st National Stakeholders Meeting of the URBANFLOODS project was successfully completed. The meeting was organized by the Laboratory of Networks and Advanced Services of the University of Western Macedonia, which serves as the lead partner and coordinator of the project, in collaboration with the Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Kozani (DEYAK), a project partner. The event took place at the Library of the University of Western Macedonia in ZEP Kozani, with both physical and online participation.
The meeting brought together experts, public administration and local government representatives involved in floods prevention and management. The objective was to present the institutional framework, existing policies, actions, and measures for addressing flood phenomena, as well as to highlight challenges and potential gaps in current strategies and policies.
The meeting was welcomed by Professor Th. Theodoulidis, Rector of the University of Western Macedonia (UoWM); Mr. K. Vyzas, Deputy Regional Governor of the Regional Unit of Kozani; Mr. I. Kioses, Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection, Climate Crisis, and and People’s Defense and Civil Emergency Planning; Professor F. Papathanasiou, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and Natural Resources Management of the UoWM; Mr. P. Matiakis, President of the Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Company of Kozani (DEYAK); and Mr. V. Panousis, General Director of DEYAK.
Representatives participated both in person and remotely from various institutions, including the Ministry of Environment and Energy; the General Secretariat for Civil Protection; the Decentralized Administration of Attica; the Directorate of Civil Protection of the Decentralized Administration of Thessaly & Sterea Ellada; the Directorate of Water Resources of Epirus, and the Directorate of Civil Protection of the Decentralized Administration of Epirus – Western Macedonia. Other participants included the Hellenic Association of Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Companies, the Regions of Western Macedonia and Epirus, the Municipalities of Kozani, Amyntaio, Velvento, Servia, and Kastoria, as well as the Municipal Water Supply and Sewerage Companies of Larissa, Agrinio, Voio, Ioannina, Pylaia–Chortiatis, Tempi, Trikala, and Tyrnavos. Additionally, representatives from ELGO-DIMITRA, WWF Greece, and the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government also took part in the meeting.
Key Points of the Meeting
🔹 Presentation of the URBANFLOODS Project – Professor Malamati Louta from the University of Western Macedonia, project coordinator, provided an overview of the project’s main objectives and expected outcomes. Prof. M. Louta also introduced the University of Western Macedonia and showcased the initiatives and research activities of the Laboratory of Networks and Advanced Services, particularly highlighting the UNIVERSWATER and RES2FIRE projects, which UoWM currently elaborates as a partner.
🔹 Legal Framework for Flood Management
Presentations were given by Ms. G. Panagiotopoulou and Ms. E. Athanasiou, officials from the General Secretariat for Natural Environment & Water of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, as well as Mr. N. Sylliris, Head of the Independent Directorate for Civil Protection of the Region of Western Macedonia.
🔹 Urban Flood Management Experiences
Mr. D. Savvorginakis, General Director of DEYA Larissa, Dr. N. Kalogeridis, General Director of DEYA Voio, and Ms. K. Siomou, Director of Technical Services, DEYA Kozani shared experiences, challenges and best practices adopted in flood management.
🔹 Flood Prevention Infrastructure: Planning, Coordination, and Management
Contributions were made by Mr. P. Tsiamis, Director of Technical Works, Kozani Regional Unit, Region of Western Macedonia, Mr. M. Pechlivanidis, Director of Technical Works, Municipality of Kozani, and Mr. S. Lappos, from the Department of Studies, Project Supervision, and Planning of DEYA Kozani.
🔹 Nature-Based Solutions and Green Infrastructure
Presentations included the Horizon Europe SPONGEWORKS project, presented by Dr. A. Panagopoulos, Research Director at the Institute of Soil and Water Resources (ELGO-DIMITRA). Also, the importance of restoring natural ecosystems to reduce flood risk, presented by Mr. Th. Giannakakis, Coordinator for Nature-Based Solutions at WWF Greece.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion, where participants shared perspectives and proposals aimed at enhancing urban resilience against floods.
For more information, visit the project website at:
🔗 https://urbanfloods.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/
Funding & Disclaimer
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme.
The content of this article is the sole responsibility of the University of Western Macedonia and in no way reflects the position of the European Union and/or the IPA ADRION Programme authorities.
