Piraeus Honored as ‘URBACT Good Practice City’ in Tallinn, Estonia

The Greek city of Piraeus was recently honored as an “URBACT Good Practice City” for its Blue Growth Initiative by URBACT III, the European program for integrated urban development.

The award was received by executive city councilor for local economic growth and entrepreneurship Petros Kokkalis during a ceremony recently held in Tallinn, Estonia.

“The Blue Growth Initiative was awarded as a practice of excellence in promoting entrepreneurship and innovation,” Petros Kokkalis said in an announcement.

“It is a unique opportunity for the Municipality [of Piraeus] to share its experience…by presenting the initiative to a large audience, related to the sustainable urban development… and to connect with cities that confront the same challenges and aim at creating a network of ‘good practices’,” he added.

Piraeus’ executive city councilor for local economic growth and entrepreneurship Petros Kokkalis received the award.

The Piraeus Municipality’s Blue Growth Initiative is an umbrella of actions aiming to promote business ideas relating to the sea and aquatic resources. It competed along with 270 other proposals, which were submitted by 219 cities from 29 countries.

The URBACT label celebrates practical solutions cities are using every day to face challenges such as demographic change, climate and environmental targets, unemployment and urban poverty. The program is part of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the 28 Member States, Norway and Switzerland.