AHEPA E-News

Vol. 14 Issue 31 | Wednesday, August 5, 2020 AHEPA E-News AHEPA Attends Saint Nicholas National Shrine Construction Restart Ceremony At the direction of Supreme President George G. Horiates, Supreme Vice President Jimmy Kokotas represented AHEPA at an August 3 ceremony held to mark the resumption of construction at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at World Trade Center. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Governor Andrew Cuomo presided over the ceremony. In remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros said, "We are going to open the Saint Nicholas Church and National Shrine as a sign of love, not hate; a sign of reconciliation, not of prejudice; and a sign of the ideals that exist in this great American Nation, where one’s religious liberty and freedom of conscience never excludes, but only embraces." AHEPA is a proud benefactor of the rebuilding of Saint Nicholas, having fulfilled its $1 million commitment in 2019. Senator Menendez Presses Secretary Pompeo on Turkey Sanctions U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), ranking member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, pressed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the topic of imposing sanctions on Turkey for its violation of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) during a hearing held July 30, 2020. "We thank Senator Menendez for his tireless effort to hold Turkey accountable for violating U.S. law," Supreme President George Horiates said. "Turkey has proven to be an unreliable NATO partner and its acquisition of the Russian S-400s is evidence." watch video clip AHEPA letter to Senate Foreign Relations  Committee 7th Annual AHEPA Cup Held in Nafpaktos A record number 29 teams (58 athletes) participated at “AHEPA Cup 2020” – the three-day mixed team beach volleyball tournament hosted by AHEPA Lepanto 1571 Chapter HJ-18, Nafpaktos, July 31 to August 2, 2020. Congratulations to the championship pairing of Maria Sotiriou-Orestis Papoulias from Athens, who bested the pairing of Konstantina Zikos-Fanis Daskalopoulos from Patras, to capture first place. The Zikos-Daskalopoulos pairing secured second place. The team of Evanthia Baldoka-Michalis Papaioannou from Athens finished in third place. Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, this year’s tournament is the seventh consecutive one to be held, and it was done so based on strict, specific health safety protocols approved by the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, under the auspices of the Hellenic Ministry of Sports. The Municipality of Nafpaktia, the Region of Western Greece, and the sports club "Omonoia Nafpaktou” were co-organizers. see more on Facebook Chicago Ahepans Donate to End Hunger Ahepans from North Shore Chapter 94, Chicago, donated $4,465 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, July 30, 2020. Supreme Governor and Chapter 94 President Peter G. Lekas presented the donation to Greater Chicago Food Depository Executive Director Joshua Selva. Supreme Counselor Louis G. Atsaves, District 13 Lt. Gov. George C. George, Supreme Athletic Director Chris G. Atsaves, and AHEPA Athletics Hall of Fame Member Kirk Vidas accompanied Lekas to the presentation of the donation. The chapter plans to make this a regular cause as part of the "AHEPA Cares" program created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The project started with a letter to chapter members requesting a special donation for this cause, and the response was overwhelming and heartwarming. AHEPA Cares and it shows: A note of gratitude for your philanthropy AHEPA prides itself on the strength of its chapters and members. With more than 400 chapters worldwide, AHEPA provides community service at the grassroots. In fact, AHEPA has been described as providing “boots on the ground” - a reference to our members and their valuable work in the communities. Working hand-in-hand with local and state community service groups, AHEPA excels at providing relief when times get tough. During this unprecedented time, the COVID-19 pandemic has AHEPA mobilized once again. Our support for the health care heroes on the front lines who are making sacrifices to attend to those infected by coronavirus is resolute. Supreme President George G. Horiates has been spearheading efforts to encourage our chapters to donate or volunteer time and energy to provide assistance. With the spirit of community service at the core of their mission, we are proud our chapters have responded superbly with safety as a priority. Ahepans are going to supermarkets (with appreciation to our grocery workers too) to buy food for those in need. They are visiting area hospitals and delivering food to the doctors and nurses who are in harm's way and to the elderly and the homeless. Ahepans are also donating blood. The AHEPA family is working together to provide assistance around the world. #AHEPACares and it shows. We salute our members for their outreach. We can take pride we are fulfilling our founding fathers' vision of a community service fraternity. Supreme President Horiates thanks the AHEPA chapters that are practicing philanthropy and for sending us inspirational photos and stories. We applaud look forward to seeing more of our Order's great works! We encourage districts and chapters to engage in philanthropic and community service acts and please submit your good works to AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please remember to do so responsibly, according to government guidance, and above all else--safely! The list (below) is what we know at the time of distributing this edition of AHEPA e-news. AHEPA’s list of chapters that are playing a significant part in the communities they serve worldwide is unmatched…and will go on… Donate to the AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund Visit our COVID-19 Resource Center Download & Distribute AHEPA Cares Flyer THANK YOU! Chapter 1 Atlanta, Ga. - Donated lunches to the first responders of Emory Decatur Hospital Chapter 3 Birmingham, Ala. – 100 meals donated to Children’s Hospital of Alabama Chapter 25 Manhattan, N.Y. – Meals donated and funds raised for ventilators Chapter 26 Philadelphia – Brother Dr. Theoklis Zaoutis is actively advising Greece's Ministry of Health on COVID-19 Chapter 40 Detroit/District 10, Michigan – $15,000 donated to Detroit-area churches Chapter 59 Canton, OH - Donated N95 masks and fed elderly in housing project Chapter 64 Harrisburg, Pa. – Brother Dr. Chronis providing medical analysis for COVID-19 and the chapter donated $1,750 to four central PA food banks to feed families in need Chapter 69 Cherry Hill, N.J. – 200 meals donated to Virtua Hospital and other area hospitals Chapter 72 Trenton, N.J. – 280-plus meals an 80 face masks delivered to three major hospitals in Central N.J. Chapter 78, Merrillville, Ind. – Donated $17,000 to charities that assist and provide relief to victims of COViD-19 Chapter 80 Worcester, MA - Donated meals to staff of Holy Trinity Nursing Center Chapter 88 Warren, OH - Donated meals to Mahoning County for Developmental Disabilities Chapter 94 Chicago, IL - Donated funds to the Greater Chicago Food Depository to feed 5,000 persons Chapter 95 Wilmington, DE - Donated 200 meals to the community Chapter 98 New Haven, CT - Established a relief fund Chapter 110, Norwich, Conn. – Presented a $1,000 grant to fund the Backus Hospital's Mobile Outreach Van Chapter 113 Dayton, OH - Donation of over 650 sandwiches to the House of Bread Chapter 121 Pawtucket, RI - Fundraising for COVID-19 Treatment by Dr. Thomas Walsh and supporting Pawtucket Soup Kitchen Chapter 145 Denver, CO – Donated and served meals to hundreds of first responders and homeless. Delivered thousands of face masks to the city and county of Denver Chapter 156 Canonsburg, PA. – Donated $2,000 to feed 400 area families Chapter 157 Calumet, IN – Meals, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer donated to the community's front line heroes Chapter 158, Poughkeepsie, NY – Provided lunch to first responders upon city's reopening Chapter 186 Astoria, NY - Served 150 meals and delivered another 35 meals to the community at-large Chapter 219 Phoenix, AZ – Donated N95 face masks to essential workers Chapter 250, New London, CT. – Ahepans donated and delivered meals to residents of five elderly housing communities Chapter 319 Port Jefferson, NY– Secured & donated 1,000 masks and 3,000 pairs of gloves for the community Chapter 326 Flushing, NY – Presented scholarship grants to 3 students while adhering to social distancing and guidance Chapter 408 Wilmington, NC– The board of AHEPA 408 Senior Apartments donated "Care Bags" with essential items to the residents. Face masks and thermometers donated to St. Nicholas. Chapter 411 Anaheim, CA – Helped distribute 2,700 produce boxes and 900 non-perishable food boxes to 461 cars and eight trucks (the trucks distributed the food to other parts of Orange County), feeding more than 10,000 persons. Chapter 445 & Sons of Pericles 290 Upper Darby, PA – Delivered food to the ER dept. at Jeanes Campus Temple U. Hospital Chapter 489 New Port Richey, FL – Donated meals to elderly residents at AHEPA 489 Apartments Chapter 500 Greenlawn, NY – Held a food drive that amassed 400 lbs of goods to benefit the area shelters Chapter 515 Radnor, PA – Donated and delivered 100s of meals for healthcare, ER & admin staff at Inova Alexandria Hospital Chapter 517 Holmdel, NJ - Donated funds to local hospital Chapter 545, Middletown, NY – Raised $2,000 to provide financial aid to families recovering from illness, donated 500 "Gyros for Heroes," and is undertaking a goods collection drive Chapter CJ-1 Toronto, ON – Implemented the Greek Easter Relief Food program, providing low-income families with a voucher to ensure everyone had access to an Easter meal Chapter 601 Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey – Donated food to Orthodox churches for Easter Chapter HJ-1 Athens, Greece – Ahepans provide support to Evangelismos Hospital Chapter HJ-3 Thessaloniki, Greece – AHEPA Hospital is treating COVID-19 patients Chapter HJ-10 Holargos, Greece - Assisted and donated items for the Police Force & Riot Gear Chapter HJ-26 Larissa, Greece – Coordinated blood donor drive with several Ahepans donating Chapter HJ-34 Corfu, Greece – Coordinated blood donor drive, donated face masks and health supplies to Corfu General Hospital and vulnerable populations Chapter HJ-38 Palio Faliro, Greece – Donated and delivered meals and necessities to a local food bank for the municipality's elderly and vulnerable Chapter HJ-41 Kalamaria, Greece – Delivered care packages of food and water to the elderly Chapter HJ-43, Nea Smyrni, Greece – Donated and delivered hygienic supplies valued at €14,000 to Leros and surrounding islands Chapter CY-1 Nicosia, Cyprus – Contributed to District 27's countrywide blood drive with hundreds of units of blood collected Chapter CY-4, Idalion, Cyprus – Donated financial aid to assist five families in need Chapter 614 Vienna, Austria - Activated a hotline for immediate response and delivered meals to the needy with local DOP Chapter. Chapter 615 Westminster, England - Supported and fed those in need affected by the pandemic Chapter 617 Frankfurt, Germany - Supplied 12 refurbished defibrillators to different areas in Greece District 10, Michigan - Donated $23,300 to 11 Michigan-area Greek Orthodox churches Book Announcement "Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History" The AHEPA National Educational is pleased to provide the following book announcement for "Greek Orthodox Church in America: A Modern History," by Alexander Kitroeff. In this sweeping history, Kitroeff shows how the Greek Orthodox Church in America has functioned as much more than a religious institution, becoming the focal point in the lives of the country’s million-plus Greek immigrants and their descendants.  order online | download flyer The Senate Must Act! View our Action Alert Contact Senators and urge them to: Uphold American values and security interests.  Hold Turkey responsible for its actions. Urge Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring sanctions legislation to the Senate Floor. The House acted. Now the Senate must. Contact the US Senate Today! Take Action: Learn More! In our own words. What AHEPA means to us. Join AHEPA Now! Calendar of Events & Deadlines

U.S.A.Government Publishing Office (GPO),update

Vaccinations are Important for More than Being a Required Travel Document August is National Immunization Awareness Month. There’s no better time to consider keeping your family safe from all forms of diseases vaccinations protect us from. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) leads the effort to ensure groups most vulnerable to various diseases and immunize themselves accordingly. Children and Family Members Travelers People With Specific Diseases/Conditions International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis as Approved by the World Health Organization. The package includes both a Yellow Card form and instructions for medical providers. Travelers: This is the CDC 731 form or PHS -731 form; also known as the Yellow Card. The Yellow Card is recognized internationally and may be required for entry to certain countries where there are increased health risks for travelers. To purchase, click here

European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards Secretariat,update

European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards Secretariat 

In this issue….


…News from Europe
A-Z of the European Green Deal
The Green City Accord


…News on the Awards
Increased financial prize reflects importance of Awards to support delivery of Europe’s Green Deal
Competition heats up: Nine cities in Finals for EGCA 2022 / EGLA 2021


…News from Europe’s Green Cities
What’s happening in our 2020 Green Cities: Lisbon, Limerick and Mechelen
Looking ahead to Lahti 2021
What is the legacy of being a green city? New reports by Copenhagen,

Nijmegen, Oslo, Galway and Leuven will show you!
Knowledge sharing from the European Green Capital Network: ‘How to become 100% Renewable’ or… ‘How to become the next European Green Capital’ toolkits are out!



News from Europe


The European Green Deal


The European Union is comprised of its Member States. But it is also uniquely made up of its regions, that go beyond national borders, and its cities. Urban areas are the source of many of today’s environmental, social and economic challenges – not surprisingly, since two out of three Europeans live in towns and cities. The coronavirus outbreak has brought further unprecedented challenges. The world is facing the most severe recession in living memory, but we must not forget that climate and environmental challenges have not gone away. The European Commission recently presented the European Green Deal and it’s the best tool we have to tackle both crises together.


The European Green Deal is our growth strategy to transform our way of living and working, of producing and consuming so that we live healthier while making our businesses more innovative. It is about improving the well-being of people. Making Europe climate-neutral by 2050 and protecting our natural habitat for the benefits of the people, the planet and the economy.


The European Green Deal encompasses a number of policy areas that are of relevance to cities: clean energy; sustainable industry; building and renovating; sustainable mobility; biodiversity; sustainable food systems with “Farm to Fork”; and reducing pollution.


The Commission presented a new Circular Economy Action Plan in March including a sustainable products initiative and particular focus on resource intense sectors such as textiles, construction, electronics and plastics in March this year. In May, the Commission presented the Biodiversity Strategy. In 2021 a Zero

Pollution Action Plan for water, air and soil will also be adopted.

Now is the opportunity to invest in clean public transport, renewable energy, affordable insulated housing, sustainable agriculture, and the protection of nature and biodiversity. To help repair the economic and social damage brought by the coronavirus pandemic, kick-start European recovery, and protect and create jobs, the European Commission has put on the table a major recovery plan for Europe based on harnessing the full potential of the EU budget: the Recovery Plan for Europe. To mobilise the necessary investments, the Commission is putting forward a two-fold response:

First, Next Generation EU: a new recovery instrument of 750 billion euros which will boost the EU budget with new financing raised on the financial markets for 2021–2024.

Second: A reinforced long-term budget of the European Union of 1.100 billion euros.

Funding instruments are mobilised with some directly relevant for municipalities, such as REACT-EU: these are flexible cohesion policy grants for municipalities, hospitals, companies via Member States’ managing authorities. 55 billion euros of additional cohesion policy funding between 2020-2022 will be available and no national co-financing is required.

Through the EU's recovery package and the European Green Deal, we must empower and finance cities and regions to build resilience and bounce back from the COVID-19 crisis.

More information is available here

Policy areas covered:

Clean energy: Opportunities for alternative, cleaner sources of energy

Sustainable industry: Ways to ensure more sustainable, more Environmentally- respectful production cycles

Building and renovating: The need for a cleaner construction sector

Sustainable mobility: Promoting more sustainable means of transport

Nature and Biodiversity: Measures to protect our fragile ecosystem

From Farm to Fork: Ways to ensure more sustainable food systems

Sustainable Agriculture: Sustainability in EU Agriculture and rural areas

Eliminating pollution: Measures to cut pollution rapidly and efficiently.

Climate Action: Making the EU climate neutral by 2050

The Green City Accord

The Green City Accord is a new European Commission initiative to mobilise European Mayors committed to safeguarding the natural environment. The Accord will support cities in their efforts to achieve greener, cleaner and healthier environments, thereby improving the quality of life of city dwellers.

Cities joining the Accord will commit to stepping up action in five important areas of environmental management:




The Accord will complement the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, by addressing issues not covered by the Covenant. It will also build coherence with other EU urban initiatives and support the delivery of the European Green Deal and the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This voluntary initiative is open to all cities in the EU. It will support cities in designing and implementing actions covering the five areas. The Green City Accord is being developed in coordination with city experts and will be officially launched in October 2020.

News on the Awards

The competitions for the European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards (EGCA and EGLA) are continuing during 2020, albeit with adjustment to some timelines.

Launching the new competition for the EGCA 2023 and EGLA 2022 recently, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said

“Sustainability is not a luxury; it is a necessity. In these difficult times, when a number of European cities are facing economic and social challenges, we want to help them in realising their sustainability vision. Past winners have shown that it is perfectly possible to live in a cleaner, greener environment and protect citizens’ health while having a thriving economy. I encourage all cities in Europe to follow the Green Capital and Green Leaf path of urban sustainability.”





Competition open to find Europe’s Green Cities

The competition for the 2023 European Green Capital (EGCA 2023) and 2022 European Green Leaf (EGLA 2022) Awards is now underway. The financial prize for both Awards has been significantly increased to a combined one million euro, aimed at supporting cities in putting in place urban sustainability measures.

The EGCA 2023 winning city will receive €600.000, while up to two EGLA 2022 winning towns/cities will receive €200.000 each.

This increased financial prize reflects the importance of cities for delivering on the objectives of the European Green Deal, including the recently adopted Communication: EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 - Bringing nature back into our lives. With the increased financial prize, the winning cities are expected to take on additional responsibilities, such as committing to tangible projects or actions to enhance their city’s environmental sustainability.

Further information on the Rules of Contest and how to apply is available on the Awards website.

Be sure to check out the online Applicant Workshop held on 7 July, which includes invaluable advice and tips from the EU Commission, members of the Expert Panel who evaluate each application, the city of Lahti and the Awards Secretariat.




Competition heats up:
Nine cities in Finals for EGCA 2022 / EGLA 2021

Since May, nine cities have been preparing for their Jury presentations to compete for the EGCA 2022 and EGLA 2021. Due to the coronavirus, COVID-19 outbreak, the Jury meetings will take place later than usual, on 7 and 8 October 2020, followed by the official Awards Ceremony on 8 October when the title winners will be announced.
Dijon (France), Grenoble (France), Tallinn (Estonia) and Turin (Italy) are the four finalists for the title of European Green Capital 2022.




For the European Green Leaf 2021 contest, open to smaller urban areas, the finalists are Elsinore (Denmark), Gabrovo (Bulgaria), Lappeenranta (Finland), Nyborg (Denmark) and Ringkøbing-Skjern (Denmark). Up to two Green Leaf cities may win the Award in any given year.





The winner of European Green Capital 2022 will win €350.000 and the winner(s) of the European Green Leaf 2021 title will win €75.000 to kick-start their green years (max. 2 winners).

Benchmarking and Self-assessment made easy:
the Green City Tool

The Green City Tool is an easy-to-use benchmarking and self-assessment tool for European cities. It provides information and advice to anyone wanting to learn more about how to make their city greener and more sustainable. Cities can use the Green City Tool to see how the city ranks and how it can improve with best practice from other European cities.

The Green City Tool is an ideal way to prepare your application for the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards – visit the website for more information or send us your questions via ENV-URBENVPOL@ec.europa.eu.

It is also useful to study what previous winners and finalists have achieved and learn from their experiences. There are dozens of reports from previous winners on our website and a number of recently published reports below. In addition, two new toolkits to guide and help cities have been developed with the European Green Capital Network of previous finalists and winners (see below).

News from Europe’s Green Cities

Lisbon European Green Capital 2020 chooses to evolve

Earlier this year Lisbon celebrated the beginning of its year as European Green Capital 2020. The opening ceremony marked the dawning of a climate action decade, where Europe will be at the forefront of driving global environmental change.

Despite all the setbacks, all the changes, all the cancellations during the first few months of Lisbon’s European Green Capital year, Lisbon has not given up – it is still the European Green Capital 2020 and Lisbon is still evolving.





Lisbon’s Opening Ceremony earlier this year with Lisbon Mayor, Fernando Medina, Deputy Mayor of Lisbon for Green Infrastructure, Environment, Climate and Energy, José Sá Fernandes and Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa

Tree planting is a significant part of Lisbon’s green agenda. From October to March, the first Saturday of every month is dedicated to planting trees and shrubs with citizens along the city’s green corridors and open spaces. This year alone, the city aims to plant 60 000 trees! To start its European Green Capital year, over 5 000 citizens gathered to plant 20 000 trees in one day.

The city’s programme for 2020 has been rethought, focusing on measures and events that show that now, more than ever, we need to take better care of this planet. New initiatives, presented by the Councillor for the Environment, José Sá Fernandes, focus on five main pillars: to Inform, Participate, Value, Debate and Involve.

Two innovative energy projects are currently underway: creation of a 2MW solar power plant, coupled with a hydrogen station to charge e-buses in Carnide, “the first project of its kind in the country”; and the “Shore-to-ship” measure, which powers cruise ships mooring in Lisbon. Under the initiative, from 2022 cruise ships will no longer be able to use diesel when they dock in the capital.

Adapting to our changing times

In June 2020, the Mayor of Lisbon announced extensive changes to the city centre this year that will deliver long-term benefits for citizens and visitors, including improved air quality, additional open spaces and more choices for getting around Lisbon. New measures being implemented include:








Visit https://lisboagreencapital2020.com/en/ or follow @greenlisboa2020 on Twitter or @LisboaGreenCapital2020 on Facebook, for more information on Lisbon, European Green Capital 2020.

Reaching citizens on the go

The new “Lisboa 24” app, allows access to real-time information about the city such as available car parking; public notices; and traffic conditions, existing trees and new initiatives, and will also include air quality and noise data soon, following a public tender that will deploy sensors throughout the city.


Lisbon’s Tropical Botanical Garden, classified as a national monument in 2007, also now has its own app, available in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish. Developed under a project between the Rectory of the University of Lisbon and the Faculty of Sciences of Lisbon, the app aims to promote the garden as a scientific, cultural, educational and leisure space. Using augmented reality, it allows visitors to interact with their surroundings through four routes covering the entire garden area. Download the app today!


“Changers”, the app that aims to reduce everyone’s carbon footprint through challenges, has arrived in Portugal. The app is free for municipalities and cities and creates a fun way to reduce individual traffic within cities. In 2019 Changers users saved 450 thousand kilos of CO2, walked 1.2 million kilometres and cycled more than 260 thousand kilometres. In turn, in the first two months of 2020, the environmental savings have already reached 100 000 tonnes of CO2.

2020’s European Green Leaf Ambassadors

This year, Ireland’s city of Limerick joins the Belgian city of Mechelen as 2020’s European Green Leaf ambassadors. The global COVID-19 pandemic has understandably, brought a number of challenges to both of this year’s Green Leaf cities but there is still plenty happening. The Commission has also recently published brochures on both cities detailing their achievements and future plans –
More information is available here

Limerick mobilises technology in response to crisis

Limerick made the move to online events and mobilised technology to help it continue delivering its Green Leaf year since the COVID-19 crisis struck earlier this year.

This includes delivering a series of impactful and informative Biodiversity Workshops online – which are also now available on the city’s YouTube channel: Limerick EGLA2020

Citizens and stakeholders have been busy downloading the Limerick City and County Council “Hush City” app launched this year. A free science-based smartphone app, developed by Dr. Antonella Radicchi and piloted in Berlin, allows citizens to identify and share tranquil spaces around Limerick city to relax, play, read and enjoy a quiet time. It has ensured much needed blissful calm!
For more information follow this link

Limerick also developed an invasive species app. The ‘Report Invasive Plants’ app is an easy way for the public to quickly report sightings of invasive plant species to a central database.

By knowing where invasive plants are, the council can carry out effective and realistic plans to minimise the destruction of native species and control the invasive species.

In 2021, the city will host an International Pollinator Conference. For more information on this and what else Limerick is achieving please visit Limerick’s website.

Mechelen implements projects to increase sustainability

In its 2020 Green Leaf year Mechelen continues to build a sustainable future. This includes a pilot project exploring if storm water can be stored and re-used by farmers. By closing these loops, flooding will be prevented, and fewer crops will be lost. Within the next five years, Mechelen has plans to construct more than 45 km of bicycle paths, including four bicycle bridges and a new link to create a non-stop bicycle highway between Antwerp and Brussels! In addition, by 2030, Mechelen has plans to provide over 85 000 solar panels in the city – that’s almost one solar panel per inhabitant!

Looking ahead to 2021

The incoming European Green Capital for 2021, Lahti, is busy preparing for its year. The City is working on a comprehensive regional and international programme featuring events and ambitious cooperation projects for its European Green Capital year, including working with many partners.

Later this year, an Environment Gala will involve thousands of students collaborating on innovative sustainability solutions, while dining on tasty meals created from leftovers that would otherwise go to waste.

The Sustainable Lahti Foundation has been established to implement the programme for Lahti – European Green Capital 2021. The Foundation is responsible for the planning, operation and finances of the project and brings together the key partners of the EGC year. In keeping with Lahti’s ambitious goal to be carbon-neutral by 2025, the Sustainable Lahti Foundation will continue operations after Lahti’s winning year until December 2025! In June the Foundation held a meeting to decide the first tranche of projects to receive funding. 16 environmental projects will receive funding this includes:

- Waste Watcher: a project focusing on the real-time monitoring of food waste in schools which will engage with children and young people, encouraging them to act in a climate-friendly manner and see the results of their actions in a tangible and understandable way.

- Lahti Green Design Week 2021: this event is a showcase for how sustainable design, product development and people-orientated sustainable lifestyle solutions are implemented in Päijät-Häme. The event includes expert sessions, workshops, and exhibitions.

What is the legacy of being awarded the Green City title? Five new reports from previous winners show you!

Many of our recent former European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Award winners have been busy compiling data and publishing reports on how the Awards have positively impacted their cities.

Reports by former European Green Capital winners, Copenhagen, Nijmegen and Oslo, demonstrate impressive results and make for very interesting reading.

Copenhagen, the 2014 European Green Capital, continues to inspire European cities as pioneers of sustainability. Five years on and Copenhagen is getting even greener and working harder than ever to become CO2 neutral by 2025.
Copenhagen’s district heating system now covers 99% of all households.
In 2018 it recorded that 49% of daily commuters cycled to work or education.
Copenhagen has introduced a new Resource and Waste Management Plan 2024 that aims to triple reuse amongst citizens and recycle 70% of household waste.

Read more about Copenhagen five years after its title year, here

Nijmegen is the smallest European Green Capital Award winner to date at only 53.6 km2. Despite its small size, during its European Green Capital year in 2018, Nijmegen lived up to its reputation of a city that has Green in its Genes!
The city saw a 10% increase in principal bicycle routes.
In 2018, Nijmegen built 243 circular bus stops and 10 eco-lounges.
Seven eco-schools and more than 30 green schoolyards have been certified.
Nijmegen replaced 190 000 paving stones with plants & trees.
5 000 bottles of beer were brewed using rainwater!

Read more about Nijmegen’s 2018 European Green Capital year, here and check out its amazing infographic highlighting the year’s key results here!

Oslo, European Green Capital 2019, successfully inspired Europe with its programme of activity last year, including a Climate Education school programme, its focus on reducing the city’s plastic waste and the Oslo Fjord Garden launched in August 2019.

The schools programme saw four young and inspiring climate enthusiasts visit 78 schools and engage with 17 000 pupils. Impressively, Oslo has the world’s first electric taxi driver; it further increased the number of privately-owned electric vehicles (EVs) on its streets thanks to incentivising car-buyers to choose electric; and installed 115 new electric buses during its green year.

Read more about Oslo’s 2019 European Green Capital year, its successes, its involvement in the European Green Capital Network, and its future plans to continue to improve the quality of life of its citizens, here

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Με αιτία:έφτασα στα γεράματα,για να καταλάβω καλά:ΤΟΝ ΚΟΣΜΟ ΘΑ ΤΟΝ ΣΩΣΕΙ Ο ΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ ΤΟΥ.Αυτός που θα τρώει ψωμί που το έβγαλε με τον κόπο του.Αυτός που ΝΟΙΑΖΕΤΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΔΙΠΛΑΝΟ ΤΟΥ.Αυτός που αγαπάει τον Πλανήτη του και μαζεύει τα σκουπίδια του στην παραλία ή το βουνό.Αυτός που αγαπάει κάθε ζώο,ερπετό,πτηνό..γιατί ΠΙΣΤΕΥΕΙ πως έχουν απόλυτο δικαίωμα στην Ζωή όπως και ο ίδιος.Αυτός που θα πάει να σκάψει το κηπάκι της γειτονιάς του όταν έχει χρόνο,και θα δείξει στο παιδάκι του ΠΩΣ ΦΥΤΕΥΟΥΝ ΣΠΟΡΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΕΝΤΡΑ και πως τα ποτίζουν και τα φροντίζουν.Αυτός που θα κάνει τα πάντα για να μεγαλώσει παιδιά ΜΕ ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ και όχι με ΚΕΝΗ μόρφωση.Αυτός που αγαπάει τον διπλανό του και ΧΑΙΡΕΤΑΙ με την χαρά του..Αυτός που μαθαίνει στο παιδί του ΠΩΣ Η ΜΗΤΕΡΑ-ΓΗ μπορεί να τον θρέψει,αν την αγαπήσει ,όσο τον αγαπά κι αυτή..Αυτός που θα κρατήσει μακρυά απο την ψυχή του ΚΑΘΕ ΦΑΝΑΤΙΣΜΟ,σε οποιοδήποτε τομέα.Αυτός που θα μπορεί να γελάει με όσους τον κακολογούν,τον βρίζουν,ή τον αποθαρρύνουν σε κάθε προσπάθεια.Αυτός που θα λατρέψει την Πατρίδα του,τις ΡΙΖΕΣ του,και θα φροντίζει να τις "ποτίζει" συχνά και να τις προστατεύει.Αυτός που κάθε πρωϊ,ΘΑ ΠΛΕΝΕΙ ΤΑ ΜΑΤΑΚΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΑΠΟ ΤΙΣ ΤΣΙΜΠΛΕΣ κάθε λογής,ώστε "να βλέπει" καθαρά.Αυτός που θα κοιτάζει πάντα τα αστέρια το βράδυ..αυτός που θα ξέρει να αγκαλιάζει,να φιλά ειλικρινά,να αναγνωρίζει,να συγχωρεί,να ΑΓΑΠΑΕΙ...Αυτός..θα σώσει τον κόσμο...ΜΟΝΑΧΑ ΑΥΤΟΣ...Κανένας άλλος...
τίποτε χείριστο...απο τις ηλίθιες "εκρήξεις...φεμινισμού" της γυναίκας.Γιατί η Γυναίκα...δεν έχει ανάγκη διεκδικήσεων..ΕΧΕΙ ΤΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ...Αυτό...

Σιχαίνομαι τα "μνημόσυνα" και τους "ηρωϊσμούς" του Εμφύλιου.Θέλω να ξεχάσω,να μην θυμάμαι ΤΙΠΟΤΑ...εκτός απο το ότι:ΕΜΦΥΛΙΟΣ=Ο Υ Δ Ε Ι Σ Α Θ Ω Ο Σ !!!Αυτό..

Τιμώ και Σέβομαι τους ΕΛΛΗΝΕΣ ΙΑΤΡΟΥΣ.Θα κάνω ΠΑΝΤΑ ό,τι μου λένε.Γιατί "αητός"...μπορεί να είμαι αλλού,όπως όλοι μας είμαστε πολύ καλοί σε κάτι.Τον Γιατρό δεν έχω ούτε τη γνώση ούτε την κατάρτιση να τον ...αντικαταστήσω.Γιατί..εκτός απο μια γερή δόση βλακείας...διαθέτω τέλος πάντων και λίγο ..μυαλό.Και γιατί πάντοτε πίστευα-και πιστεύω- πως "μετά τον Θεό,ΕΙΝΑΙ Ο ΓΙΑΤΡΟΣ"..Κατάλαβες καραμήτρο;;;;

ΕΠΙΔΑΥΡΟΣ:έχω εκεί ζήσει μοναδικές στιγμές.Εχω συγκινηθεί,έχω κλάψει,έχω ξεκαρδιστεί στα γέλια.Δεν έχω θεατρικές σπουδές,δεν έχω σκηνοθετικές γνώσεις,ΑΛΛΑ ως θεατρόφιλη και κινηματογραφόφιλη,μπορώ να ομιλώ:ο σεβασμός στην ΕΠΙΔΑΥΡΟ έχει χαθεί,απο καραγκιόζηδες "σκηνοθέτες της πεντάρας" που ντύνουν τους ηθοποιούς με...λαμέ(το έχω βιώσει!!!)..με κουρέλια,και κάνουν ταχαμούτο σκηνοθετικές ευρηματικές σκηνικές πρακτικές που ΔΗΛΩΝΟΥΝ ΦΤΩΧΕΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΤΩΝ ΓΟΝΕΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΙΠΟΤΑ ΑΛΛΟ..ΚΌΦΤΕ ΤΟ ΡΕ...ΚΑΙ ή βρείτε τα λεφτά ΝΑ Δ Η Μ Ι Ο Υ Ρ Γ Η Σ Ε Τ Ε ΚΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΠΡΟΚΟΠΗΣ,ή άντε σπίτι σας και καλόν ύπνο...ΑΕΙ ΣΙΧΤΙΡ στο κάτω κάτω...ΥΠΕΡΕΚΤΙΜΗΜΕΝΟΙ "ΘΕΑΤΡΑΝΘΡΩΠΟΙ"::ΑΕΙ ΣΙΧΤΙΡ!!!

Eίτε μπορείτε κάποιοι να το καταλάβετε,είτε όχι:τα δάνεια δεν τα δίνουμε σε όσους ΕΧΟΥΝ,τα δίνουμε ΣΕ ΟΣΟΥΣ ΑΞΙΟΠΙΣΤΟΥΣ ΔΕΝ έχουν.Δηλαδή,ΟΙ ΜΙΚΡΟΜΕΣΑΙΟΙ θα ανορθώσουν ΑΜΕΣΑ την αγορά.Και εσείς,μοιράζετε δάνεια...στους έχοντες.ΟΙ ΜΙΚΡΟΜΕΣΑΙΟΙ εχουν ανάγκη τα δάνεια,και τώρα ΔΕΝ ΕΧΟΥΝ "ΜΙΑ".Θα το καταλάβετε επιτέλους να τους βοηθήσετε ΝΑ ΑΝΟΙΞΟΥΝ ΟΙ ΔΟΥΛΕΙΕΣ...πριν ΕΙΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΥ ΑΡΓΑ;;;;

Moυ επιτρέπετε μια ανάρτηση γεμάτη...κακία;Θαρρώ πως έχω αυτό το δικαίωμα...μετά απο αναγνώσεις πολλών δημοτών,αναρωτιέμαι το εξής:αντί της -δικαιολογημένης ΑΠΟΛΥΤΑ -κλάψας,αγανάκτησης,εξύβρισης περί των ΜΗ ανταποδοτικών αυτού του δήμου...ΠΟΤΕ ΘΑ ΚΑΤΑΛΑΒΟΥΜΕ ΟΤΙ ΠΡΕΠΕΙ ΝΑ ΟΡΓΑΝΩΘΟΥΜΕ ΩΣ ΓΕΙΤΟΝΙΕΣ,ως υπεύθυνοι πολίτες...μπας και γλυτώσουμε τα χειρότερα;Πότε θα αποφασίσουμε να αφιερώσουμε ΟΣΗ ΩΡΑ ΠΕΡΙΣΣΕΥΕΙ ΣΤΟΝ ΚΑΘΕΝΑ ΜΑΣ...για κοινή οργάνωση και φροντίδα της γειτονιάς μας τουλάχιστον;Πότε θα σταματήσουμε να ελπίζουμε,όχι μόνο στον δήμο αλλά και στους περισσότερους ΑΝΥΠΑΡΚΤΟΥΣ και ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΑ ΕΚΜΕΤΑΛΛΕΥΟΜΕΝΟΥΣ "ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΥΣ" και να προχωρήσουμε μπροστά ΜΟΝΟΙ ΜΑΣ;Κακιά είμαι πάλι,έτσι;...το ξέρω...

Το σημερινό ΓΕΝΝΑΙΟ γκουβέρνο,δικαιώθηκε πλήρως για την σωστή του ΑΝΤΡΙΚΕΙΑ αντιμετώπιση των βαρβάρων εχθρών της Πατρίδας.Κέρδισε τον σεβασμό των αρχηγών της Γης,ΕΠΕΙΣΕ για τις τρομερές του προθέσεις...κέρδισε διπλωματικές Νίκες..σταμάτησε τραγωδίες...μας κράτησε ζωντανούς.Το σημερινό γκουβέρνο...δεν αμφισβητείται απο ΚΑΝΕΝΑΝ ΑΝΤΙΚΕΙΜΕΝΙΚΟ ΠΟΛΙΤΗ.

Καλούμεθα πλέον απο την μοίρα...ως ΚΟΙΝΗ ΓΝΩΜΗ να πάρουμε ΘΕΣΗ για την δημόσια μεταχείριση των ΠΡΟΔΟΤΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΑΣ,ΤΩΝ ΕΦΙΑΛΤΩΝ,ΤΩΝ ΠΟΥΛΗΜΕΝΩΝ ΤΟΜΑΡΙΩΝ,ΤΩΝ ΔΙΕΦΘΑΡΜΕΝΩΝ,ΤΩΝ ΕΩΛΩΝ,ΤΩΝ ΔΟΣΙΛΟΓΩΝ.Είμαστε Η ΚΟΙΝΗ ΓΝΩΜΗ,το ισχυρότερο,ΔΙΚΑΙΟΤΕΡΟ εργαλείο της Νεμέσεως....ΕΜΕΙΣ είμαστε οι ΤΙΜΩΡΟΙ των σφετεριστών της ζωής μας.ΕΜΕΙΣ.Κανένας άλλος...


απάντηση:οχι,ΔΕΝ ΜΑΣ ΜΙΣΕΙ ΚΑΝΕΙΣ.Ο κάθε αρχηγός κράτους,ΦΡΟΝΤΙΖΕΙ ΤΟ ΣΥΜΦΕΡΟΝ αυτού.Και ΤΩΡΑ,έχουμε κι εμείς τέτοιον ΑΡΧΗΓΟ.Ομως...καλό θα ήταν να ΣΚΕΦΤΟΜΑΣΤΕ πριν βλέπουμε παντού εχθρούς:οι Αμερικανοί ΣΩΣΤΑ-δυστυχώς- μιλάνε για "αμφισβητήσημα ύδατα".Δείτε τι υπεγράφει,τι εδέχθει,τι έγινε ΕΠΙ ΣΗΜΙΤΗ για τα Ιμια....δεν έχουμε εχθρούς.Μπορεί να μην έχουμε κάποιους φίλους.Εχθρούς όμως δεν έχουμε ΠΛΗΝ ΕΝΟΣ.Απλά...είμαστε ολίγιστοι,ηλίθιοι,ανάξιοι ΝΑ ΥΠΕΡΑΣΠΙΣΤΟΥΜΕ ΣΩΣΤΑ ό,τι μας ανήκει.Αυτή είναι η γνώμη μου..

Η ΠΙΣΤΗ..είναι μεγάλο πράγμα.Ο ΦΑΝΑΤΙΣΜΟΣ...μεγάλος καρκίνος..