On February 16th, 2026, during a working teleconference led by South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos and attended by 25 mayors from the Cyclades and Dodecanese, two key issues shaping the future of the islands were discussed: the implementation of Integrated Territorial Interventions (ITI) for Small Islands and a new national waste management initiative.
The ITI program, funded under the 2021–2027 NSRF framework, includes 62 projects across 28 islands aimed at strengthening infrastructure, resilience, and quality of life. Project inclusion decisions are expected in 2026 and require close cooperation among municipalities, the Region, and relevant authorities. In the Dodecanese, the proposal covers 12 islands, including six in the Kalymnos regional unit (Agathonisi, Astypalea, Leipsoi, Patmos, Telendos, and Pserimos), highlighting the area’s development potential.
The meeting also addressed the government’s decision to fund a new waste collection and management service for islands with populations up to 10,000 residents. The initiative builds on the successful model implemented on Tilos, which became a “Zero Waste” island. This know-how will be extended to islands with up to 1,400 residents, while a mixed waste management system will be applied to larger small islands.
The initiative signals a new environmental era for Greece’s small islands and underscores the importance of intermunicipal cooperation and coordinated action for sustainable development.
