Greek Digital Ministry Invites Municipalities to Get Ready for ‘Smart Cities’ Program

Athens, Greece. Photo source: Visit Greece / Y. Skoulas

The Greek Ministry of Digital Governance has invited 17 of Greece’s largest municipalities to submit their strategic plans for their participation in the “Smart Cities” program announced in October.

Budgeted at 90 million euros with funds from the Recovery Fund, the program aims to contribute to the digital transformation of Greece’s cities through the development of new technologies and tools.

Eligible municipalities are Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Heraklion, Piraeus, Larissa, Volos, Peristeri, Rhodes, Ionnina, Chania, Acharnes, Nikaia-Agios Ioannis Rentis, Halkida, Kordelio-Evosmos, Kallithea and Trikala. Local authorities from the 17 municipalities must submit their proposals within the next two months.

The 90-million-euro budget will be distributed based on the population of each municipality, starting with the Greek capital (20 million euros).

Driveless buses are already running in Trikala. Photo source: Municipality of Trikala

The “Smart Cities” scheme aims to gradually transform Greek cities into “smart” cities through the development of new infrastructure, digital platforms and IT systems.

The program’s solutions will give cities the opportunity to use technology and data to improve urban infrastructure and e-services, and support local economy.

Local authorities are invited to select their funded projects from a list of “smart” activities based on their priorities and needs.

The list includes activities in transport, safety, health, energy, environment, waste management, water resources management, financial development, construction, connectivity and more.

The initial “Smart Cities” program will be followed by a second scheme for the rest of the municipalities in Greece that amount to 315. The second program will be funded by the National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA program) with 230 million euros. In total, both phases of the “Smart Cities” program will be funded with a total of 320 million euros.