Sustainable Development Unit.AE4RIA - Athena RC

🌱SMARTER EU project | 1st Systemic Analysis Workshop

On 30 March 2026, the 1st Systemic Analysis Workshop was successfully held in the Region of Western Greece, bringing together stakeholders to explore key challenges through a systems innovation approach. The workshop was organised by our team at the Sustainable Development Unit. AE4RIA - Athena Research Center and the Region Of Western Greece, under the scientific coordination of Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri as the Principal Investigator of the SMARTER project at ATHENA RC.

Key contributions included:
🔹 Mrs. Lydia Papadaki (SDU.AE4RIA ATHENA RC) – objectives of the study and the principles of systemic innovation
🔹 Dr. Varvara Syggouni (Region of Western Greece) – definition of the central challenge
🔹 Dr. Anna Triantafyllidou (SDU.AE4RIA ATHENA RC) – introduction to ecosystem services
🔹 Dr. Nikos Stasinopoulos (SDU.AE4RIA ATHENA RC) – synthesis and reflection of the workshop outcomes

Participants actively engaged in interactive exercises, including:
✔ Mapping ecosystem services to the identified challenge
✔ Identifying key variables and root causes
✔ Exploring system interconnections

The session fostered a shared understanding of complex systems and set the foundation for collaborative, evidence-based solutions moving forward.

👏 Thank you to all speakers and participants for the insightful discussions and strong engagement!

🌍 On 2 April 2026, the European Climate Pact community gathered in Athens at the Goethe-Institut Athen for the European Climate Pact National Event Greece 2026 – “Living the Change, Shaping the Future.” The event brought together institutions, researchers, policymakers, businesses, and youth to engage in a collective dialogue on the climate transition and its societal, technological, and policy dimensions.

As an official European Climate Pact Partner, Sustainable Development Unit.AE4RIA - Athena RC Athena Research Center contributed to this dialogue by bringing innovation directly into the experience of participants.

Our team presented the ARSINOE VR experience, developed within our Project — an immersive journey that allows participants to step inside the climate crisis and explore how cities can move from vulnerability to resilience. Through this interactive environment, users do not simply learn about climate impacts; they experience them, experiment with solutions, and actively engage in the decision-making process.

The VR was presented by member of our team, Akrivi Katifori and Theodore Daglis, showcasing how digital technologies can make climate challenges tangible, engaging, and actionable.

At the same time, Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit. AE4RIA - ATHENA RC and European Climate Pact Ambassador, participated in the event, reinforcing the importance of science, collaboration, and innovation in driving the climate transition forward. 🎥 Her interview from the event will be available soon.

Organised by INZEB, the event once again showcased the strength of the Climate Pact community in Greece — a community increasingly focused not only on dialogue, but on collaboration and implementation.

🌿 The Sustainable Development Unit. AE4RIA - ATHENA RC at Athena Research Center, as a member of the European Climate Pact, invites you to a special spring event dedicated to climate action!

🌼 “Climate Picnic – A Day at the Park”
📍 Antonis Tritsis Park, Athens
🗓 April 19, 2026 | ⏰ 11:00 – 15:00

🌍 Climate resilience | 🥗 Sustainable food | 🌱 Environment

An initiative of the European Climate Pact Community, co-organised by SDU.AE4RIA together with the Climate Pact Ambassadors:
Marina Gavrilaki, Sofia Yalama, Maria Dimopoulou, Ourania Konstanti, Eleni Niarchou, Dr Alexandra Politaki, Marianna Rappou, Ifigeneia Souflia.

💡 What to expect:
✔️ A low-carbon, plastic-free picnic
✔️ Climate walks & interactive activities
✔️ Insights on the link between food, environment, and climate
✔️ Introduction to the European Climate Pact and its Ambassadors’ work

The goal is to share simple, practical ideas for a more sustainable everyday life, through a collective and enjoyable experience in nature.

👉 Participation is free, but registration is required:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckW5enFPVarzMzY8Ic89F4d_89CJjQ1UpVRkPx9vy4rDRzTQ/viewform

📣 Join us to connect, learn, and act together for the climate!

📢 New AE4RIA Activity Report: September–October 2025: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/J2gCVkdOK3j4hEwD?ref=Link

We are delighted to share our latest Activity Report, capturing an exceptionally dynamic and impactful period for the AE4RIA network.
Under the leadership of Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri, our team achieved major milestones across science, policy, and innovation.

📌 Inside the report:
Major international recognitions and appointments
AE4RIA’s strong presence at the 80th UN General Assembly & Climate Week NYC
Participation in global conferences, missions, and high-level policy events
Key milestones across our EU-funded projects
New scientific publications, policy briefs, and media features

This report reflects AE4RIA’s growing impact at the science–policy interface and our collective commitment to accelerating the sustainability transition.

📖 READ THE REPORT: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/J2gCVkdOK3j4hEwD?ref=Link



Athens University of Economics and Business - Οικονομικό Παν. Αθηνών | Athena Research Centerr |
Resees, Research Laboratory AUEB | SDSN Global Climate Hub | Sustainable Development Solutions Network | SDSN Europe