EcoZani is a European project under the European Urban Initiative, led by the Municipality of Kozani. Its objective is to support a just employment transition during the lignite phase out period by strengthening local social capital, preserving cultural identity and addressing unemployment, youth migration and skills shortages.

The project began on 1 December 2024 and will be completed on 31 May 2028, with a total duration of 42 months. It uses the Kozani Carnival as a testing ground, aiming to transform it into the first carnival with zero waste, zero emissions and zero exclusion, known as 3Z.

The EcoZani approach is based on three pillars: Talent, Technology and Tolerance. It includes actions supporting youth entrepreneurship, the development of sustainable products, the establishment of the UpCycle Creative Reuse Centre and the inclusive Municipal Circu Tech Hub, as well as participatory processes and training programmes.

For the Municipality of Kozani, the project will contribute to the development of new skills and business opportunities, the promotion of the circular economy and the creation of a more sustainable and inclusive city. At the same time, it strengthens Kozani’s transition towards climate neutrality and smart urban development.

Official project website: https://ecozani.eu/

GREENH2ORN

GREEN Hydrogen mObility for the tRansition to climate Neutrality

LIFE GREENH2ORN is a European project under the LIFE Programme that will establish Greece’s first hydrogen refuelling station with on site production in Kozani. Its objective is to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis and use it as a clean fuel for vehicles operated by the public and private sectors.

The project began on 1 September 2024 and will be completed on 31 August 2029, with a total duration of 60 months and the participation of eight organisations. The hydrogen produced will initially be used to refuel one refuse collection vehicle, one street sweeper, five passenger cars and six scooters. At the same time, a digital platform will be developed to monitor the station’s production, consumption and operation in real time.

GREENH2ORN also includes studies on hydrogen production from sewage sludge, strengthening the connection between clean energy and the circular economy. The project also provides for training activities, a socioeconomic assessment and recommendations for improving the regulatory framework and promoting the wider use of green hydrogen.

For the Municipality of Kozani, the project will contribute to reducing fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions from urban transport. At the same time, it will generate expertise and establish a green mobility model that can also be implemented in other cities and regions of Greece.

Official project website: https://greenh2orn.com/el/

REFORMERS

Regional Ecosystems FOR Multiple-Energy Resilient Systems

NEUTRON

Kozani’s Pilot City Activity

PROLIGHT

Progressive Lighthouse Districts Serving as Green District Gate Towards Leadership in Sustainable Building

ProLight is a European Horizon Europe project in which the Municipality of Kozani participates. Its objective is to implement innovative solutions for the energy renovation of residential buildings, the integration of renewable energy sources and the improvement of residents’ quality of life.

The project began on 1 October 2022 and will be completed on 30 September 2026, with a total duration of 48 months. It includes six pilot districts and energy communities in Greece, Austria, Finland, Spain, Italy and Portugal, with the aim of developing solutions that can also be replicated in other European regions.

In Kozani, the project focuses on the energy renovation of social housing intended for economically vulnerable citizens. The interventions include improved thermal insulation, the installation of solar thermal equipment, as well as smart devices and sensors for monitoring and optimising energy consumption.

For the Municipality of Kozani, ProLight will contribute to tackling energy poverty, reducing energy consumption and developing a model of sustainable and affordable housing that can be applied on a larger scale.

Official project website: https://www.prolight-project.eu/

EHHUR

EYES HEARTS HANDS Urban Revolution

EHHUR was a European Horizon Europe project in which the Municipality of Kozani participated. Its objective was to support cities in the sustainable transformation of the built environment through the principles of the New European Bauhaus, green and digital technologies, and citizen participation.

The project was implemented from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2025, with a total duration of 36 months. It included seven demonstration districts in European countries, where solutions were tested for energy renovation, social inclusion, the protection of cultural identity and the improvement of public spaces.

In Kozani, the interventions focused on upgrading buildings and public spaces in the Agios Dimitrios area. They included energy and aesthetic improvements, smart management systems, renewable energy sources and participatory co-design processes involving local residents.

For the Municipality of Kozani, EHHUR contributed to reducing the energy and environmental footprint, improving the quality of public spaces and promoting a sustainable, inclusive and people-centred model of urban development.

Official project website: https://eyesheartshands.eu/

JUST FEMME

Women’s Employment and Entrepreneurship in Just Transition Territories

JUST FEMME is a European Interreg Europe project in which the Municipality of Kozani participates. Its objective is to address gender inequalities in the labour markets of regions transitioning from dependence on coal and carbon intensive industries towards a green and digital production model.

The project began on 1 May 2025 and will be completed on 30 April 2029, with a total duration of 48 months. Through interregional cooperation and the exchange of good practices, it seeks to improve policies relating to women’s employment, entrepreneurship, training and skills development.

JUST FEMME promotes the equal participation of women in emerging green and digital value chains, with particular emphasis on access to reskilling, upskilling and business development opportunities. At the same time, it supports the integration of a gender perspective into the design of regional and local policies.

For the Municipality of Kozani, the project will contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable labour market, enabling women to participate actively in the economic and social opportunities generated by the region’s transition towards a new development model.

Official project website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/just-femme

METRONOME

Metronome: Design, M&E, City-Transformative Intelligence

Metronome is a European action under the NetZeroCities Enabling City Transformation programme, involving the Municipalities of Kozani and Ioannina. Its objective is to develop a unified digital platform for monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and the progress of cities towards climate neutrality.

The action began on 17 March 2025 and will be completed on 16 September 2026, with a total duration of 18 months. The platform will combine Earth observation data, census information and municipal data, providing analyses, scenarios and monitoring dashboards to support evidence based decision making.

Metronome promotes cooperation among different municipal departments and sectors, including energy, buildings, infrastructure and land use. At the same time, it includes participatory activities, workshops and capacity building programmes for citizens, local stakeholders and municipal staff.

For the Municipality of Kozani, the action will contribute to the collection and effective use of reliable data, improved coordination of climate policies and more efficient monitoring of the Climate City Contract. The platform may also serve as a model for supporting the climate transition of other European cities.

Official project website: https://netzerocities.eu/greeces-metronome-design-me-city-transformative-intelligence/

WaterCoLab

A Novel Diagnostic Kit with Cloud-Based Analysis and Monitoring for Bacteria Detection in the Public Water Network of Kozani, Greece

WaterCoLab is a European subproject under the FUTURAL initiative, involving the Municipality of Kozani together with Nanoplasmas, Nanometrisis and Web2Learn. Its objective is to develop a smart and portable solution for the rapid onsite detection of bacteria in water, with particular emphasis on water supply systems in rural areas.

The project began on 1 June 2025 and will be completed on 31 May 2026, with a total duration of 12 months and funding of €120,000. The solution combines a portable molecular detection system for identifying Legionella, which can also be extended to other microorganisms, with a digital cloud computing platform.

The platform will store and display water quality data in real time, enabling continuous monitoring, early identification of risks and faster decision making. At the same time, the project provides for the involvement of public authorities and citizens in the more effective management of water resources.

For the Municipality of Kozani, WaterCoLab will contribute to improving water safety, public health and the resilience of rural communities against contamination risks and the effects of climate change. The solution could serve as a model for the implementation of smart monitoring systems in other rural areas.

Official project website: https://futural-project.eu/open-call-sub-projects/watercolab/

RAW4RES

Enhancing Responsible Mining Policies and Raw Materials Resilience in EU Regions

RAW4RES is a European Interreg Europe project in which the Municipality of Kozani participates alongside organisations from six European countries. Its objective is to improve policies concerning the resilience of critical raw material supply chains, responsible mining and the development of secondary raw material markets.

The project began on 1 March 2023 and, according to the project’s official information, will be completed on 28 February 2027. Through interregional cooperation and the exchange of good practices, it seeks to strengthen secure and sustainable access to raw materials that are essential for green technologies, electric mobility and the digital transition.

RAW4RES promotes responsible practices for the extraction, recovery, recycling and reuse of critical raw materials and industrial metals. At the same time, it supports the participation of local communities and stakeholders in developing policies that combine economic development with environmental and social responsibility.

For the Municipality of Kozani, the project contributes to strengthening the circular economy and improving local policies concerning secondary raw materials. It also supports the development of mutually accepted solutions among local communities, businesses and organisations involved in the supply and utilisation chain of critical raw materials.

Official project website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/raw4res

STARDUST

Holistic and Integrated Urban Model for Smart Cities