Municipality of Elassona reclassified as large mountainous municipality

The Municipality of Elassona has been officially classified as one of Greece’s large mountainous municipalities following changes to the institutional framework introduced by the new Local Government Code. This reclassification reflects the municipality’s actual geographic and demographic profile, which includes 19 mountainous municipal communities and covers the Mount Olympus region.

This new status is expected to unlock opportunities for securing funding, specialized policies, and development tools tailored to mountainous areas. Key areas for potential intervention include infrastructure, accessibility, social cohesion, local production enhancement, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

The municipal leadership, led by Mayor Nikos Gatsas, had advocated for this revision since 2025, noting that previous classifications did not match the municipality’s characteristics. The issue was formally presented to Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios and was incorporated into the legislative process. This development aligns with broader strategies for the sustainable development of the Mount Olympus region and the municipality’s participation in the FAO Mountain Partnership.