On Monday, January 16, 2023, at the “Miltiadis Evert” Amphitheater in the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, in its first participation in the “Best City Awards”, was honored with the first place and the “GOLD” Award in the “Climate Change” category.

The reason for this was the proposal that had been submitted on behalf of the Municipality by the Directorate of Planning, Development, and Digital Governance and the Deputy Mayor, Mrs. Panagiota Tzanne, to the European Commission’s NESOI financing mechanism. It had been approved, receiving the highest rating at the European level.

The project concerns the clean energy transition of the Diapontia Islands and more specifically the complete decarbonization of the autonomous electrical systems of the islands of Ereikoussa and Othonoi, with the use of Renewable Energy Sources, as well as the development of a “smart marina” on the island of Mathrakion which will have electric vehicle charging stations, a small desalination unit, new energy-efficient lighting as well as “Green Points” for separate waste collection, now putting the Diapontia Islands on the map of “green” island destinations.

Among the approximately 400 executives of local authorities and businesses who honored the event with their presence, on behalf of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, Deputy Mayor Panagiota Tzanne and Scientific Advisor, Victor Dimoulis, who was also responsible for submitting the application participation in the awards.

Also present at the “Best City Awards 2023” organized for the 7th year by Boussias Events, under the auspices of KEDE, the Region of Attica and the Region of Thessaly were the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Mavroudis Voridis, as well as the President of KEDE and Mayor of Trikala, Mr. Dimitris Papastergiou.

In her statement, the Mayor, Mrs. Meropi Ydraiou, states:
“The Municipality of extroversion, the Municipality that claims and wins awards and distinctions for innovation and sustainable development actions is here.
It is a great and important distinction that belongs not only to the municipal authority but to all of us.
Wherever our Municipality is mentioned and heard in a positive way, this reflects and rewards the efforts of all of us”.

It is worth noting that this particular proposal stood out for the 2nd time after it was previously been distinguished at the European prize “ISLAND GAMECHANGER AWARD” in the context of the 20th European Week of Regions and Cities (EU Regions Week).