The initiative, a joint effort between the European Commission’s Directorate General for Urban and Regional Policy and Attica’s regional authorities, aims at highlighting meaningful achievements that have a direct impact on the wellbeing of the local population.
From 28 February to 28 March, a series of tangible realisations recently enabled with the support of the EU in Athens’ periphery areas are under the spotlight: the construction of six pedestrian bridges, the supply of new equipment to the firefighting service, and the construction of Keratsini’s medical centre.
As part of the campaign, inhabitants are called on to participate in on-site activities and to see for themselves what is in it for them.
Safer mobility for pedestrians
Residents of Alimos and Paleo Faliro have the opportunity to visit and photograph the new scenic pedestrian bridges in their respective areas, and to enjoy installations in the form of big “trompe-l’oeil” stickers.
Neighbourhood schools are also taking part in interactive sessions, in partnership with the Road Safety Institute Panos Mylonas
A third bridge in Agia Paraskevi has been completed. Three others are under construction – two in Chaidari and one in Athens.
These bridges ease pedestrian mobility and increase safety as they allow crossing high-risk traffic junctions.
Enhanced civil protection against fires
Increased safety for the Attica population also means better protection against fires.
With 35 modern trucks the fire brigade is now better equipped.
The 21 light water trucks, 12 four-wheel drive water trucks, and 2 armoured fire trucks with remote-control launchers and rescue ladders will allow firefighters to patrol forest areas, to fight forest fires in uneven terrain and inaccessible areas and in industrial areas, and to rescue people from high-rise buildings.
Under the campaign, school pupils are engaging with firefighters who visit with their new vehicles and provide advice on fire prevention.
Accessible healthcare
The new health centre in Keratsini-Drapetsona serves 91 000 residents and relieves the pressure on neighbouring regional hospitals. The state-of-the-art Health Centre provides a wide range of services, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation care.
Funding included the purchase and installation of medical and other equipment in the centre’s 1 200 m² area.
EU funding amounted to 80 % of each project: about EUR 6.51 million for the pedestrian bridges, EUR 4.84 million for the firefighting equipment and EUR 3.3 million for the health centre.
“Europe in my region” in Attica is also in partnership with local popular actress Katerina Geronikolou. In a video for the campaign she connects the dots between her experience and EU actions for her region.
The campaign is visible through the whole region of Attica, notably through media channels, social media, and outdoor billboards.
From 2021 to 2023, “Europe in my region” operations are planned in Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Romania. Each campaign features familiar, emblematic co-funded places and is co-created with partner regions.
Thanks to their ultra-local flavour and their genuine proximity, “Europe in my region” campaigns are instrumental for a better, positive perception of the EU’s actions on the ground. The primary audiences are people who are positively impacted by the EU’s actions, yet unaware that the EU takes part in worthwhile developments at their doorsteps.
This initiative is part of a broader communication effort which has been deployed since 2018 by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Urban and Regional Policy and has highlighted more than 50 European regions to date.
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