TIPS4PED partners gather in Kozani for fifth General Assembly

The TIPS4PED consortium met in Kozani, Greece, for its latest General Assembly, bringing together project partners for two days of discussions, workshops, knowledge exchange, and site visits focused on supporting the transition towards Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) and climate-neutral cities.

The meeting was officially opened by the Deputy Mayor for Digital Transition, New Technologies, Planning and Entrepreneurship of the Municipality of Kozani, who welcomed participants and highlighted the city’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and climate action.

The first day focused on both strategic and technical aspects of the project. Discussions began with an exploration of the current and future challenges facing the Zero Emission Platform (ZEP) area, providing valuable insights into the opportunities and barriers associated with the energy transition at the local level. Participants also learned more about Kozani’s role in the European Mission Cities initiative and the city’s ongoing efforts to achieve climate neutrality.

Partners shared updates on project progress across several work packages. Sessions included a WP7 overview and a review of project achievements, key milestones, and upcoming activities. Additional collaborative exercises focused on the WP4 Capacity Building Needs Prioritization Workshop and the WP5 Final Exploitation Exercise (D5.2), helping partners align on future actions and maximise the project’s long-term impact.

The day also featured a dedicated WP6 workshop on the electrification of urban mobility, led by representatives from POLIS. The workshop brought together project partners alongside local and regional Greek stakeholders, creating an opportunity to discuss practical approaches to accelerating the adoption of cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions. The active participation of local stakeholders enriched the discussion and strengthened connections between the project and the wider regional ecosystem.

Day two combined further technical exchanges with hands-on learning opportunities. Following a WP6 presentation, consortium members visited a ZEP area in Kozani to gain a better understanding of local developments and observe first-hand how the city is advancing its sustainability ambitions. The visit provided valuable context for the project’s activities and highlighted the importance of integrating local realities into the development of innovative solutions.

The General Assembly concluded with a visit to the University of Western Macedonia. On campus, participants had the opportunity to discover cutting-edge research and innovation initiatives, including autonomous robots developed by students and researchers. These robots recently achieved success at the EuroRobots competition, demonstrating the university’s strong expertise in robotics and technological innovation. The visit showcased how research institutions can play a key role in supporting sustainable urban development and fostering the next generation of innovators.

The Kozani General Assembly provided an important opportunity for partners to review progress, exchange experiences, and strengthen collaboration across the consortium. Through a combination of workshops, presentations, stakeholder engagement, and site visits, participants gained new insights that will support the continued implementation of TIPS4PED activities.

The consortium would like to thank the Municipality of Kozani, the University of Western Macedonia, local stakeholders, and all project partners for their warm welcome and valuable contributions throughout the event.

The TIPS4PED partners now look forward to continuing their collaboration and meeting again at the next General Assembly in Budapest in December.