‘Smart Cities’ Initiative to Uplift 52 Municipalities in Greece

Ministers of Interior and Digital Governance, Thodoris Livanios and Dimitris Papastergiou, President of the Central Union of Municipalities (KEDE), Lazaros Kyrizoglou. Photo source: Ministry of Interior and Digital Governance

Fifty-two municipalities in Greece are set to be modernized with advanced smart technology and IT applications, benefiting residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

On Thursday, the Ministers of Interior and Digital Governance, Thodoris Livanios and Dimitris Papastergiou, announced that these 52 municipalities will be included in the “Digital Transformation of Local Authorities” program, facilitating their adaptation to Smart Cities infrastructure.

Funded by the 2021-2027 Enterprise Agreement for the Development Framework (ESPA), with a total budget of 235,285,163 euros, the initiative secures over 39 million euros specifically for Smart Cities projects. Each municipality will receive between 210,000 and 2,770,000 euros, depending on its population size.

“Through our collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, we are providing municipalities with the technological tools to become more user-friendly, accessible, and sustainable,” stated Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou during the program’s presentation in Athens.

Ministers of Interior and Digital Governance, Thodoris Livanios and Dimitris Papastergiou. Photo source: Ministry of Interior and Digital Governance

The “Digital Transformation of Local Authorities” program allows each Greek municipality to select from 38 different projects, implementing an average of ten projects based on local needs.

The majority of the program’s projects focus on enhancing transportation system sustainability, energy conservation, cyber attack protection, digital infrastructure improvement, service quality for citizens and businesses, and strengthening local democratic processes.

To date, the most popular projects applied for by municipalities are:

– Protective cyberattack infrastructure, including network firewall, endpoint security, and the installation of remote work systems, chosen by 165 municipalities.
– Development of a central platform for data collection and management, selected by 149 municipalities.
– Organization of a management office and management of municipal vehicles, chosen by 145 municipalities.
– The Smart City Guide – Municipality Guide, registering all local businesses, chosen by 144 municipal authorities.
– Electronic payments management system, a choice of 135 municipalities.

Minister of Interior Thodoris Livanios. Photo source: Ministry of Digital Governance

“The Smart Cities initiative gives municipalities the opportunity to offer better services to the public and to improve the quality of life for all citizens by spearheading technology,” said Minister of Interior Thodoris Livanios.

The presentation of the “Digital Transformation of Local Authorities” program took place at the Ministry of Digital Governance, attended by the president of the Central Union of Municipalities in Greece (KEDE), Lazaros Kyrizoglou, the mayors of the 52 municipalities, and other government officials.

The Municipalities to currently receive Smart City funding are: Metamorfossi, Naoussa, Petroupoli, Mytilini, Epidavros, Egaleo, Polygyros, Papagou-Holargos, Ermionidas, Sfakia, Pydna-Kolindros,  Kymi-Aliveri, Amari, Malevizi, Amphipolis, Thermo, Makrakomi, Ithaki, Zitsa, Mylopotamos, Xiromero, West Achaia, Moshato -Tavros, Korinthos, Oropedio Lassithi, Sikyon, Kos, Domokos, Heraklion (Attica), Nemea, Amfilochia, Evrota, Megara, Ilion, Penteli, Paggaio, Sofades, North Kynouria, Kalamata, Pylea-Hortiati, Zakynthos, Gortyna, East Mani, Chania, Pyli, Amydeo, Pavlos Melas, Lavreotiki, Dorida, Orestiada, Orhomenos, Sindiki.