Brussels, 23–24 September 2025 – After four years of intensive collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange, the Horizon Europe flagship project ARSINOE (Climate-resilient regions through systemic solutions and innovations) concluded its journey with a two-day Final Event at the Permanent Representation of Greece to the European Union.
The event opened with welcome remarks from the Rector of the University of Thessaly, Prof. Charalambos Billinis, and Prof. Chrysi Laspidou , Vice-Rector for Innovation, Internationalization, Collaborations, and Digital Governance at the University of Thessaly, Coordinator of the ARSINOE project and Head of One Planet Thessaly. The conference brought together representatives from the scientific community, the European Commission, local authorities, the private sector, and civil society, with the aim of presenting the project’s results and discussing future perspectives for climate adaptation.
A Storytelling Journey of Case Studies
The first day (23 September) was dedicated to ARSINOE’s nine pilot regions, including the Athens Metropolitan Area, Sardinia, Southern Denmark, the Black Sea Basin, and the Ohrid & Prespa Lakes. Through a dynamic, participatory storytelling format, local stakeholders shared their experiences, highlighting how community narratives can shape European resilience strategies.
Keynote speakers included:
Dr. Thomas Ammerl (Bavarian Research Alliance, Germany)
Dr. Karim Ammar (CIMMYT, Mexico)
The session concluded with a roundtable discussion titled “The Way Forward”, featuring academics and stakeholders from across Europe, with a special intervention by MEP Dimitrios Tsiodras.
From Narratives to Innovation
The second day shifted the spotlight to ARSINOE’s innovations, including:
The ARSINOE Serious Game, an interactive tool for exploring climate adaptation pathways.
Digital solutions such as the Knowledge Graph, supporting evidence-based decision-making.
Citizen science initiatives like MINKA, fostering inclusive engagement.
Educational tools to raise awareness and build capacity among younger generations.
A highlight was the presentation of the trailer for the documentary Grains of Change, capturing human stories of transformation and resilience inspired by the ARSINOE project.
High-Level Panel: From Policy to Practice
The second day (24 September) also featured a high-level panel titled:
“Bridging Policy, Science, and Markets: Making Climate Adaptation a Reality”
Distinguished participants included:
Philippe Tulkens, DG RTD, European Commission
Prof. Emmanuella Doussis, University of Athens / UNESCO Chair
Durk Krol, Water Europe
Prof. Ralf Ludwig, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the EU
The panel was moderated by Professor Chrysi Laspidou. The discussion focused on critical questions: how individual innovations can be transformed into systemic solutions, how sustainable and equitable financing can be ensured, and what role Europe plays on the international stage of climate diplomacy.
The Role of the University of Thessaly and One Planet Thessaly
The active presence of the University of Thessaly at the heart of such a major European event highlights its international reach and commitment to sustainability. One Planet Thessaly represents a natural continuation of the ARSINOE philosophy, promoting the integration of science with policy, education, and society.
Through One Planet Thessaly, the University of Thessaly continues to invest in knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening climate resilience at local, European, and global levels.
A Legacy for the Future
“The legacy of ARSINOE is about bridging divides – between science and policy, between the local and the global, between the present and the future. This is the foundation of true climate resilience.”
