A very creative three‑day period for the partners and beneficiaries of the Crete Valley project took place during the week that has just passed.
A three‑day period marked by strong social participation, with the citizens of Crete being the central speakers rather than merely the subject of discussion.
It is perhaps the first time that, within the framework of such an influential and ambitious project as Crete Valley, the opinion of the local community carries so much weight in all stages of planning, implementation and operation of the infrastructures being designed.
This was, after all, the reason for the presence of the scientists from the Austrian Institute of Social Innovation, whom we warmly thank for the excellent way in which they listened to the local community and highlighted its needs, concerns, aspirations and vision for its region.
We also thank the Region of Crete for the exemplary hospitality and the impeccable organisation of all the events of the three‑day programme, the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems of NTUA (ICCS) and the company UNICE for presenting the Crete Valley project, the Samsø Energy Academy of Denmark for sharing best practices from similar projects, the Hellenic Mediterranean University and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives for showcasing the value of community energy. We also thank the scientific teams of Minoan Energy and the National Centre for Research and Technological Development, as well as the companies SYCHEM and ESYNERGY, whose insightful contributions and scientific expertise addressed the residents’ legitimate questions and provided solutions to their initial concerns.
For Minoan Energy, which prioritises Energy Democracy and defends the equal participation of citizens in the energy wealth of our region, it is extremely encouraging that the prevailing perception now is that all major energy projects implemented on the island must have the consent of the local communities.
Following the positive reception of the projects planned in the Plateau, Arvi, Arkalohori and Atherinolakkos, our Community’s aim is to ensure the greatest possible participation of citizens in the energy produced, at the lowest possible cost.
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