On March 20th, the Dialogue on Resilience Forum, hosted by the Hellenic Network of Resilient Cities at the Mikis Theodorakis Cultural and Conference Center in Athens, focused on actionable strategies to help Greek cities mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The two-day forum aimed to foster meaningful dialogue at the local government level, addressing the urgent challenge of safeguarding cities against the risks of the climate crisis. Over 100 mayors from across Greece convened to share experiences, exchange ideas, and propose solutions, alongside experts in sustainable development and climate policy.
During the panel discussion on “New Grant and Investment Funding Mechanisms for Resilience and Climate Adaptation,” Prof. Phoebe Koundouri highlighted the financial challenges and opportunities tied to strengthening urban resilience. She underscored the pivotal role of the SDSN Global Climate Hub, which she chairs, in supporting cities’ adaptation efforts. Prof. Koundouri also advocated for a holistic approach, integrated planning, and blended funding strategies as key solutions to effectively address climate challenges.
The panel featured: Alexia Spyridonidou, Climate Governance and Diplomacy – EPLO, EU Climate Pact Ambassador; Miljenko Sedlar, Head of Climate, REGEA; Prof. Spyros Alexopoulos, Professor at Aachen University of Applied Sciences and Executive Board Member at Solar-Institut Jülich; Paraskevi Tatouli, CEO of EVDIMOS SA; and Kostis A. Tselenis, Board Chair of HIIN.
