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Description

The “EKOΙNO” project falls under Specific Objective 2.1, “Promoting energy‑efficiency measures and reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions.” It focuses on raising public awareness, supporting the development of energy communities, and standardising best‑practice procedures for the energy transition, the improvement of energy efficiency, the fight against energy poverty, and the mitigation of the climate crisis through reduced carbon emissions — directly contributing to the shared goals and commitments of Greece and Cyprus for the transition to a net‑zero‑carbon society.

It foresees the implementation of an action plan addressing common cross‑border problems and challenges, such as:

1. Addressing the low energy efficiency of mountainous and remote areas far from urban centres.
2. The implementation of technological solutions for creating zero‑carbon‑emission zones.
3. Strengthening energy democracy.
4. Community energy production.

The implementation of projects with these characteristics is non‑existent in Cyprus and limited within the eligible area of Greece, due to the challenges they present and the different approach they require.

The pilot actions of the project are:

1. The creation of social photovoltaic parks for the production of green energy.
2. The creation of pilot units for storing the green energy produced.
3. The development and implementation of an integrated framework for engaging citizens, local‑government organisations, etc., in the structure and operation of energy communities.
4. Raising awareness, informing, and actively involving civil society in community‑energy production.

The selected target/intervention areas are centrally located within the programme’s eligible region, are mountainous and remote from urban centres, and are inhabited mainly by low‑income families. These characteristics maximise the effectiveness of the “EKOΙNO” project and support the dissemination of its good practices and solutions to citizens, relevant organisations, the scientific community, and policymakers both within and beyond the eligible area. In addition, the project’s results actively contribute to shaping policies at the local, regional, and wider interregional level for achieving the National and European energy and environmental goals for 2030, while playing a decisive role in the vision and commitments for climate and carbon neutrality by 2050. The project’s innovation lies in developing a common cross‑border approach to promoting and strengthening the role of energy communities and reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions in mountainous and remote areas, building on a holistic “energy and environmental planning” methodology, leveraging existing knowledge, and capitalising on the experience of the cooperating beneficiaries.

More specifically, the areas where the project’s pilot actions will be implemented are located in the Municipality of Minoa Pediada in Crete and in the community of Linou in the Troodos region. These areas have distinct energy, social, and environmental characteristics that ensure the validity and transferability of the project’s results and practices across the wider cross‑border territory.

Partnership Structure

The project’s partnership structure consists of the University of Cyprus, the Institute for Research and Development of Mediterranean Island and Mountainous Areas (MOUNTMED), the Regional Development Fund of the Region of Crete, and the Minoan Citizens’ Energy Community. All partners are directly involved in the programme’s action pillars and objectives and play a significant role in developing technologies, solutions, and policies that create the framework and conditions necessary to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal and fulfil the commitment to carbon and climate neutrality by 2050. The project aims to enrich, through best‑practice applications, the shared interest of both territories in strengthening the role of energy communities and promoting the active engagement of citizens in community‑energy production.

Expected Outcomes

The project aims to develop a model methodology for the design and operation of community‑energy production systems. The application of this methodology is expected to bring changes to the way local electricity transmission and distribution networks function. The project’s results are anticipated to serve as a guide for defining national specifications for citizens’ energy communities, supporting the transition to green energy.

The implementation of the methodology aims at the following:

1. Upgrade of local electricity transmission and distribution networks.
2. Increase in energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse‑gas emissions.
3. Definition of national specifications for the operation of citizens’ energy communities.
4. Strengthening energy democracy and social cohesion.

The project generates economic, social, and environmental added value, particularly for mountainous and remote areas with low‑income populations.

Through the active participation of citizens, the following are achieved:

1. Reduction of energy costs at local and national level.
2. Improvement of energy literacy and environmental awareness, particularly through activities involving students and younger generations.
3. Strengthening the role of the state and civil society in achieving national and European targets for 2030, as well as the commitment to climate neutrality by 2050.

ΕΚΟΙΝΟ serves as a model for shaping sustainable policies, promoting the active participation of citizens in the transition toward a climate‑neutral Europe.

Funding

The project is co‑funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by national resources of Greece and Cyprus, within the framework of the INTERREG VI‑A Greece–Cyprus 2021–2027 Programme.

Its total budget amounts to €1,826,445.00, with 80% of the funding coming from EU resources and the remaining 20% from national funds.

Further information can be found at the project website here