Embrace Our Shared Heritage: Celebrate the European Green Belt Days in Potamoi!
The European Green Belt Days celebrations engage local communities in the European Green Belt Initiative, highlighting our shared commitment to preserving the natural habitats and cultural heritage that connect us.
Background & Location
The European Green Belt Days celebration was held in Potamoi, a village near the Greek-Bulgarian border, directly on the Balkan Green Belt. This setting allows for meaningful cross-border engagement and is also the area where the BESTbelt project led by Callisto on connecting people and wildlife is located. Callisto (lead) and WWF have partnered to organise this year’s European Green Belt Days celebration in the area.
Objective
The European Green Belt Days celebrated and promoted the shared natural and cultural heritage along the Balkan Green Belt on the Greek-Bulgarian border. The celebration also aimed to deepen cross-border cooperation by involving local communities and highlighting the interconnectedness of their ecosystems and cultural assets. It introduced the European Green Belt Initiative to the local population, raising awareness of the area's environmental importance and highlighting the potential benefits of joint conservation efforts.
In addition, the celebration aimed to increase the local people's sense of pride and ownership of this unique borderland area and to encourage the sustainable use and conservation of their environment. It is hoped that participants left with a renewed understanding of the environmental and cultural ties that bind them, laying the foundations for future collaborative initiatives.
Approach & Results
The European Green Belt Days celebration strengthened the development of partnerships and cooperation between local stakeholders to promote a shared sense of responsibility for the protection of their natural and cultural heritage. Partnerships with the President and members of the Municipal Council, the cultural association of Potamoi, 'O Despatis', and local businesses in the village of Potamoi were key to connecting with the community. Journalists from Thessaloniki and Drama were also invited to ensure wide coverage and visibility of the celebration.
The European Green Belt Days included a number of activities:
1. Public event in the village of Potamoi - The event showcased the European Green Belt Initiative and the BESTbelt project. It provided a platform for the community and project leaders to interact and promote local engagement. More than 50 people attended.
2. Educational activities - A small environmental education workshop was held for young children on the European Green Belt Initiative, including a walk, while explaining the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. More than 15 children took part in the educational activities.
3. Press Tour - Journalists from Thessaloniki, Drama and the Rodopi region were invited to cover the EGB celebrations in order to extend the reach of the message through regional media. Two journalists and a photo reporter took part in the press tour, representing two national media.
4. Media outreach - The European Green Belt Days 2024 celebration was promoted through social media, press releases, two reports in national media and an interview on national TV, ensuring wider public engagement. The event was mentioned in at least 11 local, regional and national media.
All activities highlighted the shared environmental values and cultural ties within the region, with the aim of building a foundation for continued local stewardship and transboundary conservation.
Photo gallery of the European Green Belt Days celebration
