Greece announced a new initiative called “Nature Greece”, backed by €100 million from the Recovery Fund, at the 4th OT Forum by Oikonomikos Tachydromos.
The project is spearheaded by Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (NECCA) and aims to protect and promote the country’s 446 Natura 2000-designated areas.
These protected regions cover 30% of Greece’s land and 20% of its marine territory. According to NECCA President, Dr. Maria Papadopoulou, the goal is to balance environmental protection with human activity, adding value to local products and supporting sustainable development.
Key investments include €37 million for developing hiking trails—170 proposals have already been submitted by municipalities—and €36 million for monitoring ecosystems using advanced tools like drones, vehicles, and boats.
The economic potential is significant, according to Dr. Faye Makantasi of diaNEOsis, who highlighted the organization’s research, which shows that a sustainable utilization of 40% of these areas could generate €2 billion annually and create 15,000 jobs.
Tourism will play a vital role, as strategies are needed to attract environmentally conscious visitors while engaging local communities as stewards of these landscapes. However, Ioli Christopoulou of The Green Tank emphasized the need for clear regulations to ensure effective governance and to attract eco-friendly investments.
