The recent workshop titled Hydroponic Greenhouse Units and Human Resources: Development Needs and Perspectives in Western Macedonia was held with great success in Kozani on Saturday, April 4th. The event, co-organized by the COALition and GREENSMARTMED projects with the support of the Municipality of Kozani and the Geotechnical Chamber of Greece, Western Macedonia Branch (both of them members in the regional core group in agri-food), served as a pivotal meeting point for highlighting new technologies in the primary sector.
With a shared vision for supporting the local economy, the organizations implementing the COALition and GreenSmartMED projects in Western Macedonia joined strengths to act complementarily. CERTH, the Regional Development Fund, and the Just Transition Institute Greece (JTIG) leveraged their joint presence in both programs to create a powerful alliance. This joint effort allowed for a multi-level event where hydroponics research (COALition) met strategies for green entrepreneurship in agri-food (GreenSmartMED).
The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers across institutional, scientific, and practical sectors:
Institutional Representatives & Keynotes
- George Amanatidis, the Regional Governor of Western Macedonia, delivered a keynote speech highlighting hydroponic greenhouse units as a fundamental pillar for transforming the region’s primary sector
- Representing local and professional interests, additional opening statements were made by the Municipality of Kozani and the Geotechnical Chamber (GEOTEE), Western Macedonia Branch
Environmental, Research & Investment Dimensions
- Filippos Bandis, Assistant Professor at the University of Western Macedonia, Department of Agriculture, discussed the impact of climate change on agriculture and the role greenhouses play in mitigating risks
- Aggeliki Zigra, Agronomist and Scientific Associate at CERTH, presented the COALition project, focusing on integrating Renewable Energy Sources into vertical farming systems for sustainable production
- Dr. Georgios Ntinas from ELGO-DIMITRA Hellenic Agricultural Organization analyzed the specific investment opportunities and growth prospects for hydroponic units within the Western Macedonia region
Practical Application, Market & Human Resources
- Dimitris Radopoulos, Agronomist and producer from Kastoria, provided insights into vegetable markets and the distribution prospects for hydroponic products
- Efthymios Karastathis, a hydroponic greenhouse Farmer, shared firsthand experience regarding the daily operation of a unit and the specific human resource requirements
- Evangelia Pistola, Agronomist with practical greenhouse experience, emphasized the comparative advantages of Western Macedonia and the urgent need for specialized training programs
A Strategic Co-organization Focused on Agri-food
GREENSMARTMED played a central role in this initiative. The project’s participation as a co-organizer was a strategic choice, as the agri-food sector is the primary pillar of GREENSMARTMED’s activities in Western Macedonia. Hydroponics, as a form of “smart” and environmentally friendly cultivation, aligns perfectly with the project’s methodology for promoting green and innovative entrepreneurship.
Synergies in Action: COALition and GREENSMARTMED
The need for this workshop emerged from the research findings of the COALition project, which identified a significant gap in information and specialized personnel within the hydroponics sector within the framework of specialized Innovation Missions done in the preceding period in Western Macedonia. GREENSMARTMED joined forces with COALition, demonstrating that the transition to a new production model requires a holistic approach: from researching labor market needs to strengthening business ecosystems and connecting 4-helix stakeholders.
The GREENSMARTMED Info Point
Throughout the event, a dedicated GREENSMARTMED Info Point was in operation. Attendees — including unemployed individuals, young scientists, farmers, and investors — had the opportunity to receive detailed information on:
- Project actions aimed at supporting SMEs in the Agri-food sector.
- Results from local “Core Groups,” such as the specialized group for the wine-making industry.
- The methodology for overcoming financial and organizational barriers to adopting green technologies.
Looking Ahead
GREENSMARTMED’s participation in the workshop confirmed that “smart” farming and human resource development are two sides of the same coin. Through such collaborations, the project continues to provide practical support to Western Macedonia, turning environmental challenges into sustainable business opportunities.
