Over 100 targeted actions for water sufficiency on the most remote and small islands

Moreover, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the General Secretariat for Environment and Water, additional funding of 20 million euros was approved for projects in areas of immediate need.

Particularly critical is the simplification of the licensing of small desalination plants, with fast-track procedures. Already, 35 new units have been licensed in more than 27 islands, significantly strengthening their water supply systems.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy is providing technical support to small island municipalities and undertaking the tender procedures to avoid delays. For Megisti, Lipsi, Kimolos, the Diapontic Islands, Gavdos, Agios Efstratios and the Holy Monastery of Panormitis Symi, it acts as a contracting authority and has funded the hiring of technical consultants in more than 15 municipalities to complete critical water supply projects.

In addition, cooperation is underway with the Ministries of Environment and Energy, Interior and Economy and Finance, with the aim of developing standard specification sheets, establishing uniform costing for desalination projects and supporting weak beneficiaries.

Finally, within the framework of the National Plan for Water and under the coordination of the Vice President of the Government, Kostis Hatzidakis, the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy contributes its know-how and experience, so that insularity is a constant criterion in the formulation of policies for the management of water resources.

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It is noted that from 2019 to date, the ministry and the General Secretariat of the Aegean and Island Policy have funded more than 400 projects in 78 islands, with a total budget of more than 60 million euros and with a particular focus on the smallest and most remote areas.

The Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, said, “With speed, cooperation and targeted interventions, the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy is implementing a comprehensive plan aimed at the adequacy and quality of water on our islands. With the 103 actions carried out this year in 61 municipalities and the allocation of 9,073,448 million euros, we are improving water supply conditions, upgrading the quality of life of residents and supporting the insularity that is a comparative advantage of our country.”

For his part, Deputy Minister of State for Maritime and Island Policy, Stefanos Gikas, said: “With continuous visits to our islands, in close contact with the MPs, the Local Government, the island chambers, the local bodies and the local communities, we record the problems and try to provide reliable solutions, such as now on the issue of water scarcity. The services of our General Secretariat have mapped the needs of the islands – small and large – and with several interventions, which this year exceed 100, we are helping our islanders substantially. Besides, the protection and further promotion of “Islanding” is a central policy choice of our government.