On Saturday, November 2nd, as part of the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival, a commemorative event was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the EEA Grants. This mechanism represents the contributions of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein in reducing economic and social inequalities, as well as strengthening bilateral relations with 15 beneficiary countries in the European Union.

The event opened with greetings from Ms. Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, General Secretary of the NSRF of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance; Ms. Lajla Brandt Jakhelin, Norway’s Ambassador to Greece; and Mr. Orestis Andreadakis, Artistic Director of the Thessaloniki Festival.

At the center of the event, titled “30 Years of the EEA Financial Mechanism’s Presence in Greece,” distinguished speakers from various sectors analyzed the positive impact of the EEA Grants in the country. Notable participants included Mr. Heraklis Moskov, General Secretary for Vulnerable Citizens and Institutional Protection; Ms. Vera Theofylaktou, Deputy Ombudsman; Mr. Ioannis Papadakis, Director of CRETAquarium; Ms. Thouli Misirloglou, Artistic Director of MOMus – Museum of Contemporary Art; Ms. Maria Katsakiouri, Head of Information, Education, and Environmental Interpretation at the Goulandris Natural History Museum; and Mr. Dimitrios Kousenidis, Vice-Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Participants highlighted the diverse actions supported by the EEA Grants in environmental, social, and cultural projects and analyzed how these initiatives contribute to promoting sustainable development, social cohesion, and human rights in Greece. Special mention was made of the successes of programs that empower vulnerable groups, strengthen democracy, and promote the green transition with the support of donor countries.

This event provided a unique opportunity for the exchange of ideas and experiences, confirming the crucial role of the EEA Grants in shaping a fairer and more prosperous society.

The celebration concluded with a tour of the artistic installation “30 Years–30 Images,” featuring 30 photographs of significant EEA Grants projects, which the public can enjoy at the Thessaloniki port until the end of the week.

This successful gathering is part of the broader celebrations marking the 30th anniversary of the EEA Grants, with the next scheduled event on Tuesday, November 12, at 5:00 PM at the Zappeion Megaron.

To celebrate 30 years, we’ve created a particularly vibrant video.

Enjoy!