243 thought leaders from the creative, retail, agriculture, energy, construction, tourism industries, startups and social enterprises, investors, communications & media, research and academia, policy makers and citizens came together with a line up of 81 outstanding speakers from Europe, the USA and Greece, who similarly covered an immense diversity of sectors and ages, to discuss about the ways to make life in the cities and the villages in Greece better.
From debating around wellbeing and impact economy to deep diving in pivoting topics, such as access to housing, sustainable tourism, water circularity for irrigation, biodiversity restoration in the urban context, community energy, decentralization incentives and more, we explored aspects of the contemporary cities and villages of wellbeing in the climate crisis era, along with the role of industries and societal stakeholders in this transition.
Explore What Happened
CONCRETE NEXT STEPS
We invite all those interested in advancing climate action and wellbeing in Greece to join us in the following initiatives:
Creation of the WeAll Hub:
A think tank focused on economic innovation, the Wellbeing Economy, and its translation into everyday actions, policies, practices, and products in Greek cities and villages.
Enhancing citizens participation
Create conditions and frameworks for citizen participation in the ideation and execution phases of sustainable initiatives.Encourage involvement at every stage—proposal writing, action planning, implementation, and evaluation—to ensure active engagement and community adoption of proposed solutions. Join us in Athens and Kozani in 2025 to co-create circularity interventions focused on water and waste, as well as urban acupuncture projects to revitalize, repurpose and reown public spaces. More collaborative activities with cities dedicated to advancing citizen wellbeing will follow.
Marine Ecosystem Restoration
Join us in restoring marine ecosystems by reducing plastic, adapting nature-based solutions, invasive species control, and pollution reduction. We support fisher-guardians and citizen entrepreneurs and promote ocean literacy through the Blue School Network, contributing to the EU’s sustainable blue economy goals (Pharos, Remedies).
Creating an Ecosystem for Equal Access to Energy
We aim to build an inclusive ecosystem that ensures equal access to affordable, clean, and reliable energy. By supporting decentralized energy systems and community-owned renewable projects, we will address energy inequality, promote energy literacy, and empower marginalized communities. Through collaboration across sectors, we will drive a fair and sustainable energy transition for all.
Pathway for B Corp Certification in Greece
The process to certify the first companies operating in Greece as B Corps. With the support of renowned and prime players in the B corp and purpose economy globally, we are bringing together a consortium of peers to transition together towards a more regenerative model.
Enhancing Carbon Farming Initiatives
This project promotes reforestation for CO2 uptake, soil restoration, freshwater production, and biodiversity conservation. It incorporates the WEFE Nexus Methodology to design systemic solutions that balance water, energy, food, and environmental needs, supporting both sustainable tourism and Carbon Farming practices. We invite organisations from across sectors to collaborate, capture learnings, disseminate and expand regeneration practices to diversify income sources and strengthen agricultural resilience across Greece.
Fostering a Sustainable Tourism Ecosystem
We are driving innovation and developing long-term partnerships within the tourism sector by uniting stakeholders from hospitality, energy, transportation, and more. This program will be shaped by market insights, stakeholder input, and entrepreneurial activities, with a focus on creating an environmentally and socially sustainable tourism model.
Formation of the Regional Impact Trade Alliance (RITA)
Exploration of the first Regional Impact Trade Alliance, within the concept of RITA, in order to create
geographical regions that are characterized by stakeholder agreements & partnerships around common impact goals (principles, metrics, complementary actions, canalization of resources), that become an integral part of their identity for local, national and international commercial agreements. We will be opening discussions in Peloponnese & South Aegean to start with, but we are open to explore more schemes.
Fostering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Greece
Impact Hub Athens, with a dedicated focus on Rural Innovation since 2022, aims to support family-owned businesses and emerging entrepreneurs in adopting sustainable and regeneration practices, fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems for sustainability and well-being in Greece’s peripheral regions. With initiatives such as the Messinian Business Routes, Arcadia’s Design Camp, Plastic Upcycling Lab and Agrotourism in Santorini and other actions across 7 Greek regions, we are co-creating solutions, run skill-building programs, curate connections in Greece and abroad, bridging resource gaps to minimize rural- urban disparities and empower local entrepreneurs. We invite public and private partners to collaborate with us in order to maintain qualitative life in the regions outside the big urban centers—join us and local stakeholders in the smaller cities and villages across the country, while we continue empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, fostering conversations, programmes and partnerships in order to make decentralization a viable choice and deliver regional growth and positive environmental impact across Greece.
Development of a Collaborative Social and Sustainability Innovation Fund
This fund will support new social and environmental initiatives by pulling resources and expertise from various funding schemes. It aims to identify, fund, and scale impactful projects that tackle urgent social and environmental challenges.
A closer look to the agenda
Agenda
A closer look to the agenda
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Lorenzo Fioramonti
Director of the Institute for Sustainability of the University of Surrey & Ecosystem Catalyst at NATIVA
Pedro Tarak
Global Bridge Builders at Sistema B International, Co-founder of Sistema B and former President of Sistema B International. Board Member of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance. Co Founder of Regional Impact Trade Alliance
Conchita Galdon
Vice-Dean Business with Purpose @IE Business School-Director IE Center for Social Innovation &Sustainability-Professor
Torri Tsui
Climate justice activist, organiser, writer, consultant & speaker
Paolo Di Cesare
Co-Founder at NATIVA, Member of the Scientific Committee of AIDAF & Co-Founder and Member of the Board of Directors of Assobenefit
Martha Giannakopoulou
Architect & founder of If- architects, Housing consultant for IOM
Julia Lopez Varela
Consultant, strategic designer, and project manager specializing in Social Innovation.
Ioannis Sarakiotis
Member of Parliament, Fthiotida
Olivier van der Feltz
Strategy & innovation manager at Sympower
Maria Vassilakou
Urbanist, Urban Advisor & Consultant - Vienna Solutions
Sheila Darmos
Co-founder and Director of The Southern Lights non-profit organisation and Regenerative Farming Greece initiative
Dimitrios Kaliampakos
Professor at the School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens
Dimitris Ptochos
Governor of the Peloponnese Region
Vassilis Papaefstathiou
Civil Engineer NTUA, MSc at Papaefstathiou office, Deputy Mayor of Strategic Planning and Climate Neutrality Municipality of Kalamata, co-founder of Eu-topos for Raising Public Awareness on Green and Public Spaces
Athanassios Koutsianas
IMPACT STRATEGY VP at Symbeeosis
Adam Markakis
Co-founder of Astylab and Astylab Ventures
Sonia Malaspina
Corporate Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director, Danone Italy & Greece
Johan Mirtorp
Chairman of the ”Housing Policy Working Group” at the International Union of Tenants (IUT). general counsel at the Swedish Union of Tenants/ EU.
Sotiris Tsoukarelis
Founding member and responsible for social innovation at the Social Cooperative Enterprise 'Ta Psila Vouna'
Becky Young
Earth Percent /Head of Ops & Community
Vickie Amiralis
In Place of War / EarthSonic, Label Development Manager
Tianna Amore
Filmmaker, Photographer, Activist
Misia Furtak
Music Declares Emergency, Musician
Nis Bogvad
Act in Synch -co.founder, Director
Sam Sutaria
CEO at Waterbear
Periklis Mantas
Member of Parliament, Messinia
Eleni Andreadis
Director of Sustainability and CSR at Sani/Ikos Group
Grigoris Konstantellos
Mayor of Vari,Voula & Vouliagmeni
Alexis Galinos
Executive Director Organization Earth, Vice President Athens Development Agency & Athens- Epidavrus Festival
Clément Souchier
Entrepreneur in music & tech | Founder, CEO of Bridge.audio / Creaminal Music Supervision France
Eleni Petra
Scientific Associate - Head of Innovation Unit for Women ATHENA RC -
Marcel Alexander Wiebenga
Music Supervisor/ Entrepreneur / Ringo Founder
Jonathan Fröberg
Creative Manager, Film & TV at Universal Music Publishing Group
Magdalena Szuba
Product Manager at Warner Music SEE | Berklee College of Music, MA
Anastasia Giamali
Journalist
Nikos Chrysogelos
Vice Mayor Environment Athens
Tilemachos Moussas
Musician, Musical Intervals
Fiori Metallinou
National Observatory of Athens/ Science Communication Officer at the Visitor Center/ Vocalist "Musical Intervals"
Rebekka Karijord
Composer, Sound of Earth
Dimitris Kyriazis
Cοntributing writer LIFO, communications professional
Pantazis Pastras
Senior Researcher Analyst, TOPOSOPHY
Kiara Konti
Partner, EY Greece Sustainability Services Leader
Panagiotis Kinanlis
Senior Project Specialist | EU & Public Sector Funding, TOPOSOPHY
Nektarios Matsagkos
Researcher at the National Technical University of Athens
Savvas Chionidis
Secretary General for Local Government and Decentralization, Hellenic Ministry of the Interior
Katerina Lomvardea
Editor-in-chief Inside Story
Foteini Kokkinaki
Engagement Manager, Journalist | inside story
Christos Papagiannis
Director, Eteron Institure
Christos Tarantilis
Partner, Head of the Government & Public Sector for EY Greece, Former Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister & Government Spokesperson
Nikos Politis
Senior Construction Development Dpt. Manager, lead of the sustainability team | Coffee Island
Afroditi Stamelou
Senior Project Manager at Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT) / Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH)
Marios Desyllas
Founding member of DIO - ORCANIC PRODUCTs Certification Organisation
Andrea Bonetti
Photographer
Kostas Papachlimintzos
Journalist @parapolitika @ertnews_official
Penny Kazaki
Product Manager | sustainable city network
Dimitris Elafropoulos
Media Researcher & Data Editor - To Vima
Dimitris Mpalampanidis
Social Geographer-Urbanist, Housing and Migration Researcher
Dimitra Siatista
Postdoctoral Researcher, Housing policy expert
Thomas Maloutas
Emeritus Professor | Social Geography and Thematic Chartography
Jesper Mardahl
Co-founder of Music Cities Network, Conference Organizer, SPOT+
Andrei Geica
Co-Founder, Chief Policy and Impact Officer at Sporos Platform
Thanks to our sponsors and partners
With thanks to
Co-Creators
Sponsors
Experience Partners
Media Sponsor
Content Partners
Auspices
Community Partners
Sustainability Partners
Hospitality Partners
Core themes
Core Themes
Through an open survey, conversations, and a series of 20 multi-stakeholder co-creation workshops
across Greece, we have identified the key pillars for a Wellbeing City and sustainable urban living:
Impact Economy
vs Wellbeing Economy
Exploring the shift from the
impact-driven economy to one that
prioritizes holistically the wellbeing
and societal health.
Cultivating Vibrant
Communities
Discussing ways to encourage citizen
participation in the development and
maintenance of green spaces,
enhancing social cohesion and
revitalizing urban architecture.
Ecological Integration
& Nature-Based Learning
Incorporating nature-based practices
into urban environments to foster
sustainability and deepen our
connection to the natural world.
Climate Resilience
& Extreme Weather
Implementing strategies to mitigate
extreme weather conditions and keep
urban temperatures moderate through
sustainable urban planning and design.
Climate
& Mental Health
Examining the relationship between
climate change and anxiety, and the
rejuvenating effects of nature on our
mental health.
Core Themes
Equity in Cities
Addressing issues of poverty,
employment, and housing to ensure
equal access to the necessary
resources for their life.
Decentralization
& Repopulation
Enabling cities in the periphery to
thrive independently and drive their
own growth and development.
Sustainable Consumption
Promoting conscious consumerism and
responsible consumption practices from
food to mobility to entertainment.
Sustainable
Tourism
Balancing tourism with the preservation
of cities' unique identity, nature and
culture, while prioritizing the wellbeing
of local residents and its alarming
interconnection with climate change.
Climate Justice
Advocating for fair and equitable
policies that address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities.
Core Experience Elements
Core Experience Elements
POSTER SESSION
Researchers and startupers present their unique tech or soft solutions and theoretical frameworks for nature-based practices in the urban context.
MULTIMODAL WORKSHOPS & AGORA
Engage in hands-on sessions and for-
mats, designed to inspire and equip par-
ticipants with practical solutions for sus-
tainable living and ecological belonging.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS & DEBATES
Hear from leading experts and thought leaders as they discuss critical issues and innovative strategies to adopt wellbeing as a goal for decision makers and influencers of the city life.
KEYNOTE SPEECHES & FIRESIDE SESSIONS
Gain insights from influential speakers who are shaping the future of urban sustainability.
CO-CREATIVE ACTIVITIES
Collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders to connect on a personal and cognitive level, de velop actionable plans and forge new partnerships.
ARTISTIC ENRICHMENT
Emerge into difficult conversations with
the guidance of contemporary artists and embrace the topic from a sentimen tal perspective through performances and art installations.
DECOMPRESSION ZONE
Spaces that participants can learn about the healing effects of nature and take time for themselves
Participants & Audiences
Participants
& Audiences
We want to extend an invitation to approximately 120 people who are committed to transforming our economy and society, to build connections, exchange views, and develop synergies. We are curating an exclusive gathering of key stakeholders, including:
Participants
& Audiences
DEPUTY MINISTERS & SECRETARIES GENERAL
of the relevant Ministries, Regional Governors and Mayors, as well as executives of the relevant organisations and services, related to infrastructure, innovation, and the environment.
RESEARCHERS, STARTUPS, & PROFESSIONALS
in the fields of circularity, data analytics, design,citizen empowerment, artificial intelligence, and nature-based solutions (biomimicry).
ARTISTS & CREATIVE INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES.
BUSINESS EXECUTIVES
in key positions (product research & development, sales, CSR & ESG, marketing, finance & corporate funding), entrepreneurs and representatives of the Greek industry, Chambers of commerce and business associa-
tions from key sectors such as energy, tourism, technology, construction, food (production, processing, packaging, distribution), trade, and the banking sector.
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION REPRESENTATIVES
with a particular focus on equal participation,
environmental restoration and regeneration,
placemaking, and philanthropic institutions.
A Sustainable event
A Sustainable event
The Wellbeing Summit sustainability framework will be achieved by implementing an integral sustainability action plan specially developed for conferences & cultural events. Sustainability will be embedded into the core of our strategy, regarding the suppliers we use, the first material for catering and workshops, taking into consideration carbon, circularity, and social footprint.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
Diversity, Equality
& Inclusion
Creation of a Summit where every participant feels valued, supported and
inspired to achieve both individual and common goals. DEI
Curation of the attendee list
Range of ticket prices, flight,
hotel and ticket sponsorships
Selection of speakers and artists from diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints
Physical accessibility at venues and accommodations
Feedback surveys after the event