Meeting of greek organisations participating in 7 EUKI Climate action projects

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Meeting for the collaboration between Greek organizations participating in EUKI climate programs

The social enterprise Anemos Ananeosis / Wind Renewal and the program Graeducation co-orgnanised on 7th of February in the WELCOMMON HOSTEL a meeting of representatives of Greek organizations participating in EUKI (European Climate Initiative) projects.

The main aims of the meeting were:

strengthening collaboration and exchange of knowledge and experience between the participating organisations, universities, NGOs, research centers.

– promotion of synergies and common initiatives for climate protection, just energy transition, training and creation of new jobs in renewable energy and energy saving

The meeting was an opportunity for the representatives of seven EUKI projects to know each other better and exchange their experiences from climate actions, programs and activities in cooperation with their european partners.

  • The social cooperative Anemos Ananeosis/Wind of Renewal, which was the hosting organisation of the meeting, was represented by Nikos Chrysogelos. WoR participates in two EUKI projects: Climate Schools Be.Ath and YESClima “Young Experts for Climate-friendly Schools in Mediterranean countries”. Four young experts of the YESClima project participated also in the meeting: Mr Ioannis Kotsalos, Technician of Heating, Cooling and Electrical Systems, Ms Dimitra Apostolopoulou, Engineer of Renovation and Restoration, Ms Agapi – Evaggelia Tsampazi, Civil Engineer Msc and Ms Sofia Papadopoulou, Energy Engineer Msc.

  • The project Graeducation Research, Development and Testing of Education Services with main aim the improvement of the education of “Green Professions” in Greece was represented by Ms Silke Steinberg and Stamatia Aidonidou, who cooperate with FIAP e.V. (Institute for innovative and preventive job design) and Mr Wolfgang Jung and Rall Engelbrecht-Schreiner from Technological Park in Gelsenkirchen.

  • The project ENCREMENCO, ΕΝhancing the Capacity of Regions & Municipalities to participate in EΝergy CΟmmunities, was represented by Mrs Papamikraki and Mrs Korna from Center For Renewable Energy Sources and Saving.

  • The project BEACON, Bridging European and Local Climate Action was represented by Ms Tzanakaki Evi from Center For Renewable Energy Sources and Saving.

  • The project CYCLEURBAN was represented by Mr Thanos Vlastos, professor of National Technical University of Athens.

  • The project Just Transition Eastern and Southern Europe, was represented by Mr Stavros Mayrogenis from WWF Greece.

Olga Drossou, director of the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Greece participated in the meeting as an observer.

The European Climate Initiative is a financing instrument of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). The overarching goal of EUKI is to foster climate cooperation within the European Union in order to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. It does so through strengthening cross-border dialogue and cooperation as well as exchange of knowledge and experience.

YESClima

The project is being implemented by ‘Wind of Renewal, University of Cádiz at Spain, Secretariat for Future Studies of Free University of Berlin(Sekretariat für Zukunftsstudien Berlin an der Freien Universität Berlin), and the (APEC -Provincial Energy Agency of Cadiz), Andalusia.  

The aims of the project are:

– Climate protection and energy saving
– Reduction of energy consumption and the ecological footprint of schools
– Education and training of young people in order to work in energy saving issues, natural heating and cooling systems.
– To familiarize young people with scientific – technical issues, economic issues, entrepreneurship and legislation on climate protection, and more specifically energy saving and energy inspections and interventions.

During the project “YESclima – Young experts for climate friendly schools in Mediteranian countries” 11 young people from Greece and 11 from Spain, organized in three groups, will have 6months theoritical and practical education so they can work in the energy saving sector and natural heating and cooling techniques in buildings.

The program is based on the results of the EUKI project ZEWklima, research and study program completed in the spring of 2018, coordinated by the Hoheschule Technic and Wirtschaft (Berlin School of Applied Science, Technology and Economics), the Berlin Free University, the University of Cádiz and Anemos Ananeosis / Wind Renewal, about the reforms needed in education so that young people can work professionally in areas that promote energy saving and renewable energy.

Climate Schools Be.Ath

Climate Schools Berlin-Athens is a 28-month project aiming to augment the awareness of climate change and energy consumption in the school communities of the Municipality of Athens (MoA).

It consists of 4 axes:

  • Training of trainers, training of teachers, implementation of educational activities in 73 pilot schools, dissemination events. All these, in parallel with ongoing field research at the pilot schools, with the participation of the teachers who are involved to the project.

  • Climate protection awareness campaign and creation of a network with the participation of the pilot schools.

  • Increase of energy efficiency in the pilot schools (at least 5% reduction of energy consumption per school)

  • Development of the MoA action plan for all the schools of the Municipality, aiming at the augmentation of the ecological awareness in school communities and the reduction of Energy consumption in the schools.

Experience is gained through the collaboration between Greece and Germany on both educational and technical issues, such as energy efficiency and refurbishment of schools or involvement of teachers, pupils and parents, as well as through the cooperation between partners from the two cities: Municipality of Athens and Anemos Ananeosis/ Wind of Renewal from Athens and Respekt für Griechenland e.V. and Unabhängiges Institut für Umweltfragen, from Berlin.

Graeducation

The program emphasizes in the dual education of professional education and job training in Greece which could lead to a cooperative dialogue between companies and educational institutes, something which is really important for the Greek market. Given the today’s challenges, the transfer of knowledge between Germany and Greece can contribute to the development of the professional training in those two countries. In the same time, it is important to develop the idea of professional training in those two countries, since it is not very commonly held. 

Just Transition Eastern and Southern Europe

The goal of this project is to develop tailor-made transition strategies for the economic transformation of specific regions in Bulgaria (Southwest Bulgaria), Greece (Western Macedonia), and Poland (Silesia) away from coal and towards sustainable economic activities. Each transition plan will form the basis for advocating Just Transition pathways and region-specific options at national and EU level.

BEACON

Bridging European and Local Climate Action (BEACON) is a project promoting climate action and facilitating an exchange between national governments as well as municipalities and schools in Europe. The aim of the project is to strengthen bi- and multilateral cooperation and create common ambition to realize the Paris Agreement.

ENCREMENCO, ΕΝhancing the Capacity of Regions & Municipalities to participate in EΝergy CΟmmunities

The project is about exchanging experiences, knowledge and practices between Greece and Germany concerning practices and good examples of Energy Communities.

CYCLEURBAN, Cycling as an Element of Urban Climate Mitigation Policy

The project „Cycling as an element of urban climate mitigation policy“ (Cyclurban) will advance cycling as a measure for sustainable urban mobility and climate mitigation on a local level. In particular, the project will look at the current situation and develop measures to strengthen cycling mobility in the areas infrastructure, policy and planning, services and promotion, also taking into account new developments such as e-bikes and cargo bikes. It will demonstrate how to integrate cycling into municipal strategies in one city in each of our five target countries: Tartu (Estonia), Riga (Latvia), Warsaw (Poland), Velika Gorica (Croatia) and Vrilissia (part of Athens, Greece). Each city will develop own specific strategies to advance urban cycling mobility. In a second step, the project will also provide recommendations on how cycling can be supported on the national level. In seminars and with the help of lessons learned publications, it will disseminate experiences to reach more municipalities and decision makers.

#ClimateAction @EUKI_Climate #YESClima #ClimateSchoolsBe.At

A series of public events on Green and Social Innovation and climate policies

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A series of public events (discussions, workshops, round tables) are organised by Anemos Ananeosis / Wind of Renewal (social cooperative) in cooperation with Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Office Thessaloniki, Greece on four thematic axes that contribute to an informed and visionary dialogue on social green innovation and climate policies and how best to integrate them in Greece with a view to transforming the current economic and social model. In addition, efforts will be made to provide space and opportunities for reflection on crucial issues in view of the European elections (end of May).

Changing the productive and economic model

  1. Circular / green economy the basis for a new productive – economic model for Greece and Europe

  2. Climate change, a challenge to change the economic – productive and consumer model and create new economic activities and new jobs

  3. Energy cooperatives, a tool for changing the energy model and promoting investment by citizens – European experience, good examples, new tools created at European level, producing energy in the city and the neighborhoods

  4. Social and solidarity economy and how it is understood in society and institutionally in Europe and the US

Science and technology

  1. From chemistry of hazardous materials and components and heavy industry, to green chemistry, green design and green products

  2. From gray to green infrastructure at the time of climate change

  3. Digital technology and economy – how they will work for the benefit of society, the environment and sustainable prosperity

A new social policy based on social and green innovation as well as social investment
1. The housing crisis, red loans and possible role / prospects of social housing – the European experience of housing and social housing

   2. Alternative financial tools to promote smaller or larger projects with a social impact and benefit.

    3. The crisis of health systems and the need for a holistic approach to health

    4. The social pillar and European integration in the era of nationalism and inequality

    5. How will social security and protection systems be in the future?

The future of cities in times of climate change, risk and mass movement of populations

     1. How does climate change happen in the city? What changes are required for cities to be resilient?

    2. How are cities shaped by new models in tourism, such as AirBnB and mass tourism? Are there other tourism models? Can there be phenomena that exclude citizens from their city?

    3. What models of housing and social inclusion of vulnerable groups can empower the neighborhoods and the cohesion of the city?

    4. How will policy on energy poverty be based on social and green innovation?

The events are realized on a weekly basis, starting February until the end of June at the premises of the Welcommon Hostel, run by the Wind of Renewal.

The hostel itself is a demonstration of green social innovation that started its life in September 2016, as an innovative center for hosting and supporting the social inclusion of refugees that has been awarded for its community model approach for the protection and inclusion of refugees, migrants and Greeks. In spring 2018 was refurbished and turned to an innovative hostel which combines models of sustainable tourism with social inclusion, green and social innovation, cultural and energy transition activities. 

Workshop: Social economy, social responsibility and social financing

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Anemos Ananeosis is organizing a workshop on “Social economy, social responsibility and social financing: good examples, obstacles, potential in Europe and the USA”, on Friday 8th of March, 17.00, in WELCOMMON HOSTEL, 4, Kapodistriou str, near Kaniggos sq:

Social responsibility and Vanderbilt University – Project Pyramid’s role in bringing students and social impact organizations together”, Tyler Skelton, MBA Class of 2019, Vanderbilt University

Project Pyramid matches groups of students with social enterprise partners around the world to work on meaningful projects. The class has just entered its 13th year and has sent more than 700 students to work with more than 50 partners in over 20 counties. Tyler Skelton is the Project Pyramid Board Chair for the Turner Family Center for Social Ventures, a Vanderbilt University student-led organization that aims to help students understand how market forces can help with poverty alleviation and other social issues. Tyler will have a quick talk about the Turner Family Center and Project Pyramid before opening up discussion

– “How to finance your social project in Germany: Lea-Sophie Müller-Praefcke, Anemos Ananeosis / Wind of Renewal’ s volunteer

In Germany there are lots of possibilities for financing a social project, but many projects do not know about this. So we will give some short ideas about the possibilities you have, either Crowdfunding and competition or sponsorships from the state.

– “The Green Office Movement”: David Delto, Anemos Ananeosis / Wind of Renewal’ s volunteer

The Green Office Movement was established in the Maastricht University in 2010, now it spreads worldwide: the Green Office Movement-a sustainability office at the University, which coordinates sustainable projects, realizes green education, organizes events etc. The whole Green Office Movement is open-source, so every University has the freedom to form the role of the Office, as it needs to be. We will give you quick information about the idea of the Green Office and tell you about our experiences in trying to establish the Green Office in Frankfurt.

– “Rreuse, a European network of social enterprises for reuse, recycling and social inclusion”, Antigone Dalamanga, president of Rre-use

RREUSE represents social enterprises active in reuse, repair and recycling. Rreuse and its members want the EU and national governments to move from promoting just recycling and waste management to putting secondhand first. Rreuse members employ people at risk of socio-economic exclusion and help bring them back into work. In addition they bring products back to the market at affordable prices providing essential household items to low income groups. Approximately 140,000 workers, trainees and volunteers are engaged in the activities of its 26 members across 24 European countries and the USA.

– “European programs for financing social projects”, Nikos Papakostas, INTERALIA,

Designing a funding strategy for NGOs and social projects, European Funding Opportunities 2014 – 2020. Why you need a funding strategy, how you can start, Stakeholder Analysis, initiatives and practices for social innovation, sustainable solutions to youth unemployment

Nikos Chrysogelos, chair of Anemos Ananeosis / Wind of Renewal will coordinate the discussion

The discussion will be in English. Registration online is now open:

The workshop is part of a series of discussions and events titled “Green Social Innovation” organised by the social cooperative Anemos Ananeosis/ Wind of Renewal, with the support of Heinrich Boell Stiftung Greece

@VanderbiltU @RREUSE_Brussels  @windofrenewal  @INTERALIAPRJ

#WELCOMMONHostel #socialeconomy #socialinclusion #social #innovation #volunteers #education #university #youth