Mr. Gikas highlighted the actions being implemented to strengthen the insular country, such as the Transport Equivalent which will be modernized, digital services for parents, and the support of entrepreneurship through the “Barometer of Insular Entrepreneurship”. He also referred to pioneering projects, such as “GrecoIslands” and the programs “Naxos Smart Island”, “Tilos – Just Go Zero” and “Astypalaia – Smart & Sustainable”.
Regarding the Transport Equivalent, Mr. Gikas stressed that “the measure will be modernized, will become more targeted and after consultation with the island chambers of commerce, local government and social partners, it will be promoted for its legislation.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034 and the upcoming EU Strategy for the Islands, underlining that Europe now has the unique opportunity to recognize insularity as a strategic priority.
The Congress was attended by more than 100 representatives of Local Government, the Academic Community, insular entrepreneurship, as well as Greek MEPs from the relevant committee of the European Parliament.
The meeting, co-organized by the Hellenic Network of Small Islands (ΕΔΜΝ) and the Municipality of Oinousses, aiming at public dialogue to address the challenges faced by small islands, constituted an important step of dialogue and reflection, where strategies for the development and sustainability of small island communities are presented, analyzing the institutional interventions and financial tools required for our islands to respond to modern challenges.
The Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy, through the Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy (ΓΓΑΙΝΠ), supports the organization in recent years, as it is one of the main co-organizers, giving the opportunity to representatives of Local Government, Social and Economic Bodies, and the Academic community to express their positions and participate actively in the Congress.
The conclusions of the Congress were incorporated into a Declaration named the “Declaration of Oinousses”, which – as Mr. Gikas stated – “will constitute the roadmap of the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy for claiming a distinct framework for small islands at a National and European level”.
