Greece's Deputy Development Minister Kalafatis advances Greco Islands innovation program on Chalki and Rhodes

Deputy Development Minister Stavros Kalafatis visited the island of Chalki to inspect the Green Interactive Park created by the National Centre for Research and Technology Development (EKET) and local partners. He described Chalki as a “living laboratory of innovation and sustainable development” where smart energy, circular‑economy, waste‑water management and digital tools are being piloted. The park, covering about 3,500 m², showcases solutions for island autonomy, marine protection and climate adaptation.

The minister then travelled to Rhodes for a meeting with Southern Aegean Governor Georgios Chatzimarkos and other officials to discuss expanding the Greco Islands ecosystem. The initiative, which began on Chalki, now has a national budget exceeding €160 million. Kalafatis highlighted successful projects such as the on‑demand ASTYBUS transport system on Astypalaia, the zero‑waste program on Tilos – the first certified community‑level example in Europe – and the “Rhodes Co‑Lab” sustainability hub. He affirmed that “great things are happening” as Greece pushes the green transition to combine technology with environmental protection for island residents.