Zagori: Collaboration with Impact Hub Athens for sustainable tourism and innovation

In the context of promoting cross-border cooperation and strengthening local entrepreneurship, the Municipality of Zagori signed a memorandum of cooperation with Impact Hub Athens. This agreement, which concerns the submission of a RISTOR INTERREG proposal, aims to create a Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Center in the village of Demati, in order to revive a public infrastructure with a social and environmental footprint.

Strategic purpose of the collaboration

The collaboration between the Municipality of Zagori and Impact Hub Athens aims to activate the Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Center in Demati, which will function as an innovation hub for the wider region of Epirus. The project includes a series of actions related to education and training, hosting business and community workshops, as well as supporting local professionals in the tourism and creative economy sectors.

In more detail, the two entities are committed to working closely together in several areas:

Rehabilitation and Activation of the Demati Centre: Through actions that promote sustainability and inclusion, the Centre will provide opportunities for the development of tourism and the local economy.
Educational and Business Workshops: The Centre will host workshops that will strengthen the capacities of local entrepreneurs, particularly in the field of sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusion.
Creation of Local Development Policies: The results of the RISTOR project will be used to prepare strategic action plans that will enhance the development of the mountainous areas of Epirus, with a focus on sustainability and strengthening social cohesion.
European orientation and dissemination of results
The collaboration is not limited to the local level. The two entities intend to promote the project results at the European level, leveraging networks and initiatives for climate resilience and sustainable development. The aim is to strengthen the project’s identity, as well as the dissemination of the results at a local and national scale.

Design and implementation strategy

The strategic design of the RISTOR project includes the creation of an active and vibrant space in Demati, which will host conferences, workshops, and other activities that will bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, engineers, creators, and public authorities. In this way, the Demati School site will remain a reference point for sustainable mountain development, while contributing to the strengthening of local and regional entrepreneurship.

Accessibility and inclusion

One of the key points of the collaboration is the emphasis on accessibility, inclusion, and climate resilience. The actions of the RISTOR project are designed to strengthen the equal participation of vulnerable groups, families,s and local creators. In addition, the two entities are committed to ensuring the sustainability of the Center after the end of the project, securing funding that will allow the expansion and broadening of its activities.

The cooperation of the Municipality of Zagori with Impact Hub Athens for the implementation of the RISTOR INTERREG project promises to bring significant changes to the Zagori region, strengthening local entrepreneurship and sustainable development. The creation of the Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Center in Demati will constitute a pillar of innovation and cooperation for the region, with the long-term goal of the social, environmental, and economic upgrading of Zagori.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report