The meeting opened in the Koventareios Kozani Municipal Library Auditorium, a landmark of public culture and education. Partners from the Association of Municipalities of Tartu County, City of Malmö, Tilburg Municipality, City of Jyväskylä, Bartók District of Újbuda, Budapest, the Region of Western Macedonia, CluBe, Eutropian, and Bax Innovation the project coordinators, gathered with their local stakeholder representatives to explore how policies and new projects can reinforce one another.

 

Under the facilitation of Eutropian and Bax & Company, participants reviewed our jointly collected and studied 19 good practices from across Europe — from repair cafés and tool libraries to reuse festivals and digital sharing maps. Each team reflected on which of these practices resonated most with their own city, what concrete elements they could adapt locally, and how they would continue developing their pilot ideas once back home.

 

 

The afternoon continued with an interactive Project Development workshop, where each city presented its emerging project idea — from shared sports and toy libraries to “library of things” initiatives in condominiums. Facilitated by Eutropian and Bax & Company, the session turned reflection into action, focusing on how to align projects, good practices, and policy improvements, and how partners can learn from and connect with each other. Working in groups, participants identified overlaps and collaboration opportunities, while also discussing the optional Interreg pilot funding process, ensuring that new ideas can continue evolving beyond the project’s main activities.

 

Between sessions, the consortium visited ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth,  recognized for its work in preventing youth marginalization and social exclusion through direct aid, including psychosocial support, education, employment preparation, and temporary housing, as well as advocating for youth rights. The visit brought a human focus to the conversation: a reminder that sharing and circularity begin with inclusion and care.

Later that day, participants toured the Koventareios Library Museum, one of the most important and historic libraries in Greece and the Balkans due to its extensive collection of rare manuscripts, incunabula, codes, maps, and over 100,000 books.

 

 

On the second day, the group travelled to Grevena, where they were welcomed by Deputy Mayor Rigas Skodras, who expressed the municipality’s support for circular and community-based initiatives. After the introduction, partners visited the DIADYMA Reuse Center, part of Western Macedonia’s integrated waste-management system.

 

Here, discarded clothes, toys, books, and furniture are collected, sorted, and offered free of charge to those who need them. DIADYMA S.A., the regional waste-management company, operates one of Greece’s most advanced systems for waste treatment and reuse. Its Reuse Centers have become a regional best practice, transforming discarded materials into new products and creating both social and economic value. Beyond recycling, DIADYMA runs environmental education and outreach programmes, collaborates with schools and local authorities, and raises awareness about waste prevention and sustainable habits. 

 

 

As the consortium moves forward, partners will continue refining their project ideas and preparing for their Good Project Day — a meeting where each city will present its project to local stakeholders, gather feedback, and further develop it through shared discussion and collaboration.

Many thanks to the Region of Western Macedonia, CluBe, and Bax & Company for their organization and guidance, and to all partners for two days of productive exchange and shared learning toward more sustainable and connected cities.