The Chairman of the Committee on Regions of the Parliament, Mr. Manos Konsolas, was among the speakers at the 11th Conference organized by the National Technical University of Athens and the Athens Center for Interdisciplinary Research and had as a point of reference proposals, positions and actions for the regeneration of mountainous areas.
Mr. Konsolas pointed out in his speech that: “Regional development and the regeneration of mountainous areas are the big bet for the country in the coming years. Concepts such as decentralization, sustainable and balanced development must take the form of implemented policies for regional development and the return of life and creation to mountainous areas.”
He referred to the work and activity of the Subcommittee on Mountainous Areas, which contributed to increasing the scoring of the criterion of locality for permanent residents of mountainous areas in everything related to competitions for filling public positions, which Mr. Consolas described as a first small victory.
He called for a broad public debate to be opened on the regeneration of mountainous areas and the objective of Regional Development, proposing:
– The creation of a Mountain Fund, which will be financed by national and European resources to finance projects and actions of a development nature in mountainous areas. He also stressed that such a financial program is also needed for first-degree local government.
– The formulation of Local Development Plans that will be financed by public and private resources and will be evaluated on an annual basis in terms of their effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of the objectives set.
– The support of human resources and life in these areas, with special development incentives for the financing of investment projects in mountainous areas, adapted to the objective of developing and strengthening economic and business activity, along with tax incentives for those who create businesses and reside in these areas,
– A special financial program for the reconstruction of abandoned properties in mountainous settlements and villages.
– The preparation of integrated Mountain Management Plans, in order to serve the objectives of viability and sustainability in economic development.
– The development of infrastructure to reduce the digital divide.
– Energy autonomy and the use of renewable energy sources for small-scale energy production in mountainous areas to reduce energy costs.
– The strengthening of local culture and the promotion of the cultural and architectural heritage of mountainous areas.
