Press Release: Realization of the Kick – off Meeting of the European Project “AGORA – Democratic Values & Culture in Europe”, in the framework of the EUROPE FOR CITIZENS Invitation, of the “Cities Networks” axis

Realization of the Kick – off Meeting of the European Project “AGORA – Democratic Values ​​& Culture in Europe”, in the framework of the EUROPE FOR CITIZENS Invitation, of the “Cities Networks” axis.

 The kick – off meeting of the European Project “AGORA – Democratic Values ​​& Culture in Europe”, within the framework of the EUROPE FOR CITIZENS Invitation, took place with great success on 9 and 10 September 2021, at the Kallinikeio Municipal Hall of Athienou.

The Municipality of Athienou, as the Lead Partner, hosted 30 participants from four participating countries as partners, which are the Municipalities Smolyan of Bulgaria, Cinicello Balsamo of Lombardy – Italy, Santa Maria Da Feira of Portugal and the «Institute of Research & Training on European Affairs» Athens – Greece.

The AGORA project concerns the open dialogue in public space, through the experimental method of dialogue and participation, as in Ancient Athens. At the same time, it promotes the concept of the European Union and the democratic participation of citizens. It helps participants to facilitate the emotional part of knowledge, while strengthening interpersonal relationships. In addition, it creates communication and discussion skills within the group and promotes the creation of a broader communication framework from a sociological point of view.

The Budget of the Program is €143.640 and is covered 100% by European funding.

The two-day meeting of the partners had a rich and varied Agenda. The Mayor of Athienou, Mr. Kyriakos Kareklas, held a press conference for the Project; Mr. Athanasios Athanasiou, Representative of the European Commission Delegation in Cyprus, gave a speech. In addition, presentations by the participants from all the participating countries took place and a speech by Dr. Michelangelo Anastasiou with an interesting topic, interactive games of knowledge and interaction were held and round table discussions took place in order to promote the open dialogue, as this is the key element of the project. The participants also had the opportunity to tour the rich in history and culture Municipality of Athienou, to visit the buildings that were restored in the Municipality with European funding, to taste the rich cuisine of Athienou and also to be informed about the semi-occupancy and the peculiarities of the Municipality of Athienou.

All the guests left with the best impressions for the Municipality of Athienou and expressed their warm thanks for the hospitality received from the Mayor and the team of the Municipality of Athienou, which was attended by many young people of the Municipality.

Meetings of the Project will follow in Bulgaria, Italy, Athens and Brussels, while the final meeting will take place again in Athienou on September 8 and 9, 2022.