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The Municipality of Antiparos develops a practical model for other municipalities
Antiparos is developing a practical approach to promote tap water and reduce bottled water consumption, while offering valuable insights! It was the spring of 2024 when representatives of Aegean Rebreath met with Mr. Faroupos, the Mayor of Antiparos, to discuss…
The General Assembly of the Blue Municipalities Network in Rhodes was substantive and successful
The General Assembly of the Blue Municipalities Network, held in Rhodes, as part of the annual conference of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, can only be described as successful. Seventeen mayors attended the Mayors' Committee meeting to outline…
Holistic Activities at the most remote member of the Blue Municipalities Network
Aegean Rebreath, another member of the Blue Municipalities Network, was delighted to visit Kasos island with the goal of implementing holistic actions for the marine environment. Educational programs, research activities and a harbor cleanup took place in just 1.5 days.…
What is the Blue Municipalities Network
The Blue Municipalities Network, established and coordinated by the environmental organization Aegean Rebreath, is a partnership of 19 island and coastal municipalities in Greece that shape and develop practices for the protection of the marine environment. It is a network based on cooperation among municipal authorities, civil society organizations and central authorities with the aim of highlighting the importance of the marine environment for the society and the economy. It fosters a collaborative ecosystem with research and educational institutions and also partners with international private firms committed to advancing marine conservation efforts. It also serves as a best practice at a European level since it operates as a legal entity in accordance with the decisions of its municipal councils.
Benefits of Participation in the Network
The membership, apart from prerequisites, entails significant benefits for municipal authorities and the local communities. Each member is supported:
Advocacy to central authorities
Opportunities to build synergies with other network members
Development of pilot programs in collaboration with international groups
Development and submission of funding proposals
Partnerships with research and educational institutions
Implementation of holistic field activities
Development of databases for each member
Municipalities
19
Actions
45
Pilot Programs
10
NETWORK OBJECTIVES
Environmental problems, although rooted in international practices, are still perceived today at a local level. Local communities are called upon to develop solutions without always having the means or resources.
Since 2017, Aegean Rebreath has been working with local authorities and communities across different locations in Greece, noting the increasing interest of local communities in practices that can preserve their marine resources. This ever growing interest needed to be transformed into a practice that would unite the voices of island and coastal municipalities, representing their efforts to promote environmental democracy and environmental rights.
As a result, the Blue Municipalities Network’s efforts highlight the following objectives:
Implementing activities for the marine environment based on the cooperation and coordination of member municipalities
Building partnerships among member municipalities for submitting joint funding proposals for the marine environment
Exchanging and promoting best practices
Strengthening the role of local communities and civil society in shaping local and regional policies
Formulating policies to match environmental challenges at the local level
Highlighting the added value of environmental policies at the local level
Transferring know how and evidence base proposals to relevant ministries
Highlighting the network as a hub of knowledge for the development and dissemination of environmental initiatives