This year’s proceedings of the conference “Tourism in the Era of the Climate Crisis 2026” (TCC Forum), organized by the “For Nature” organization, took place, with Mr. Yannis Androulakis, president of the Green Fund, as the official guest of honor and the Chamber of Commerce of Dodecanese as the honored institution.
The main panel featured the Regional Governor of the South Aegean and President of the National Union of Regional Authorities, Mr. George Hatzimarkos, the President of the Dodecanese Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Yiannis Pappou, the official guest—President of the Green Fund, Mr. Yiannis Androulakis—and the head of the environmental organization “For Nature,” Mr. Nektarios Kalogirou. The latter gave a brief overview of the organization’s activities as they have evolved over the past seven years and emphasized the need to continue broad cooperation among institutions, businesses, the academic community, and civil society toward specific strategic environmental goals.
For his part, Mr. Yannis Androulakis strongly emphasized this need and called on everyone to learn about the Green Fund, follow its calls for proposals, and apply for funding that brings environmental and social benefits. “The Green Fund operates with a fully outward-looking approach and supports legal entities that have a vision, work in partnership with the community, and implement actions on the ground.” In fact, Mr. Androulakis revealed that he had held meetings in the Region of South Aegean, the Municipality of Rhodes, and the Chamber of Commerce, where he discussed funding for specific—flagship—environmental projects, regarding which separate announcements will be made.
It should be noted that Mr. Androulakis was accompanied by: Ms. Spyridoula Demiri, and the Green Fund’s Communications & Events Coordinator, Ms. Kelli Koligiorga. On the second day of the TCC Forum, provided detailed information on all aspects of the National Financial Mechanism’s programs for environmental projects and the outreach activities associated with them.
George Hatzimarkos: We will fund tree-planting field trips for 40 schools
In a detailed presentation on the project being implemented by the Region of South Aegean and the environmental legacy it is building for the future of the islands, the Regional Governor and President of the Union of Greek Regions, Mr. George Hatzimarkos, from the podium of the TCC Forum 2026.
Referring to the projects already underway, Mr. Hatzimarkos emphasized that “The Region of South Aegean has a clear strategy for the natural environment, and it is these projects that demonstrate in practice our boundless respect for the future of the islanders and for the environmentally balanced developmentof our Region.” He placed particular emphasis on the need for everyone to know exactly what is happening in our region—what is being implemented and what is in the pipeline—because “only through knowledge will we overcome the obstacles caused by denial and ideologies that remain entrenched in the practices of the past.”
In response to a related request from the organization “For Nature,” the Regional Governor of the South Aegean committed to funding this year’s student tree-planting field trips with the aim of further raising children’s environmental awareness. In total, 2,000 students from 40 elementary and secondary schools will travel free of charge to participate in “For Nature” activities, planting carob and cypress trees in the burned forest areas of Rhodes (in regions where an approved reforestation plan is in place). The funding will also cover the irrigation and protection of the newly planted trees from uncontrolled grazing.
Yiannis Pappou: Support for Every Business in the Green Transition
The Chamber of Commerce was the honored guest at the TCC Forum 2026. In his speech, its president, Yiannis Pappou, linked the green transition to the needs of businesses on the islands, both small and large: energy costs, water conservation, waste management, infrastructure, and seasonality.
During the Forum, he proposed a partnership with the Green Fund to provide practical support to businesses, and the Fund’s president, Yannis Androulakis, responded positively. The Chamber of Commerce thus becomes the first chamber of commerce in Greece to initiate a partnership with the Green Fund, paving the way for its collaboration with chambers of commerce across the country.
Mr. Pappou made special mention of small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the vast majority of businesses in the Dodecanese. Some have already adopted more efficient practices, others want to get started and need guidance, while still others are currently unable to cover the costs on their own.
“We’re here for all of them. So that no one is left behind. Because the green transition cannot be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford to invest. It must be an opportunity open to every business on our islands,” he said.
He explained that the Chamber of Commerce aims to bring information, expertise, and available tools closer to every professional. The transition, he noted, must make practical and economic sense for the business, reduce its costs, and improve its operations and services.
As a first step in this collaboration, he proposed a joint assessment of the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises in the areas of energy, water, and resource management, so that subsequent initiatives would address the specific challenges faced by businesses on the islands.
Yiannis Papavasiliou: The Rhodes Hoteliers Association and the hotel industry are actively responding to contemporary needs
The remarks by the president of the Rhodes Hoteliers Association, Mr. Yiannis Papavasileiou, who spoke about the significant shift of hotels toward sustainable operations, which, in turn, is achieved through significant investments in energy upgrades and the adoption of international standards to reduce their environmental footprint.
The president of the Rhodes Hoteliers Association described, step by step, the measures taken by hotel businesses to reduce waste, conserve water and electricity, support the local primary sector, and manage coastal issues. In particular, he highlighted the study (and its implementation) aimed at restoring the eroded coastlines of Rhodes’ northern geographical triangle, as well as the funding provided by the Rhodes Hoteliers Association and its members for important social issues, a recent example being the subsidy for the accommodation of healthcare professionals in our region.
Awards
Officials and individuals who work daily to protect the islands’ natural environment were honored at the end of the first day of the TCC Forum 2026.
Specifically, the following were honored:
- Brigadier General Konstantinos Alexandris, commander of the 95th ADTE
- Fire Chief Athanasios Syroulanis, Commander of the Fire Department
- Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection of the Dodecanese, Christos Efstratiou
- Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection of the Municipality of Rhodes, Michalis Thomatos
- Head of the Dodecanese Forestry Directorate, Chrysanthi Desli.
In addition, for the first time, the organization “For Nature” presented a special award in memory of notary Stavros Koutalianos. The organization’s award was presented to Dr. Haris Syrgiannis, Director of the Petaloudes Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability, and was conferred by: Mr. V. Kattavenakis and Mr. P. Paniera, President and Environmental Officer of the Rhodes Bar Association.
Also, on the first day of the TCC Forum 2026, all hotels, travel agencies, businesses, organizations, and groups that are actively participating, with decade-long goals, in the organization’s initiatives “for nature.”
It should be noted that the hospitality sponsors of the TCC Forum 2026 were: the Mitsis Group, the Avalon Boutique Hotel, and the 10GR Boutique Hotel & Wine Bar.