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Strategic Hub of Western Macedonia

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Regional coordination mechanism

Strategic Hub of Western Macedonia

A unified framework connecting innovation, entrepreneurship, employment and skills, the social economy and digital services — with the Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia as its central support hub.

Innovation ZoneHow it works
4 development pillarsOne coherent regional architecture
No Wrong DoorOne request, one coordinated pathway
Central hub: RDFCoordination, evidence and performance monitoring
From fragmentation to collaboration

What the Strategic Hub is

The Strategic Hub is the horizontal coordination framework of the regional ecosystem. It does not replace participating organisations or their statutory responsibilities; it organises common service pathways, synergies, evidence, performance indicators and results monitoring.

Multiple structures and servicesDifferent entry points, programmes and organisations.
Unified intake and routingNeeds are recorded, referred to the appropriate organisation and followed through a shared view of progress.
Measurable regional impactIndicators, feedback, transparency and continuous improvement.
A STRONG REGIONAL REFERENCE POINT

Innovation Zone of Western Macedonia

The Innovation Zone is a leading development pillar of the regional strategy: a space where research, technology, production and public policy meet so that solutions with regional impact can be tested, accelerated and scaled. Its institutional establishment is being advanced through the draft law approved for submission by Regional Council Decision 4/2026.

1

Infrastructure and innovation clustersTechnology Park, Hydrogen Hub and thematic innovation environments.
2

Living LabsReal-life environments for testing, co-creation and solution demonstration.
3

Technology transferConnecting knowledge, businesses, investment and regional needs.
Visual representation of the strategy

The Strategic Hub operating model at a glance

The diagram brings together the four strategic pillars, their constituent structures and the functional links that form the Strategic Hub of Western Macedonia. The detailed and accessible presentation follows immediately below.

Visual representation of the strategic plan. Select the image to view it at full size. This is a dynamic representation and does not alter the statutory responsibilities of participating organisations.
Ecosystem architecture

The four development pillars

The Strategic Hub follows a hub-and-spoke model: a central coordination node connects decentralised structures without removing their autonomy. Select each pillar to explore its functional map.

Strategic Hub & Innovation ZoneCoordination • interconnection • shared data • impact measurement
01

Innovation Zone

Infrastructure, clusters, Living Labs and technology-transfer networks.

Key fields

  • Kozani Technology Park: research, business and international cooperation hubs
  • Hydrogen Hub in Ptolemaida
  • Living Labs: CleanTech, AgroWine, Lakes Economy, Mountain Economy, RESALLIENCE and SMART
  • Connected Living Labs: Just Transition, URSOILL and ISABEL
  • Connected structures: PowerTech Hub and the Youth, Education & Innovation Centre

Related structures and links →

02

Entrepreneurship

Unified access to business support, internationalisation, finance and networking.

Key structures and actions

Related structures and links →

03

Employment & Skills

Connecting people, training and the economy’s real skills needs.

Key structures and actions

Related structures and links →

04

Social Economy

Connecting social services, social entrepreneurship and volunteering.

Support network

  • Integrated Social Network and Social Hub
  • Community Centres, Home Help, Day-Care and disability-support structures
  • Mental-health, prevention, basic-goods and women’s support services
  • Social cooperatives, social enterprises and non-state social structures
  • Integrated Volunteering Network

Related structures and links →

Region of Western MacedoniaMunicipalities & Regional Union of MunicipalitiesUniversity of Western MacedoniaCERTHChambers & businessesANKOSocial-economy structuresResearch and production organisations
A dynamic map: structures and partnerships are updated through the Registry of Structures and decisions of the competent organisations. This presentation does not alter the statutory responsibilities of any participating organisation.
Governance with clear roles

Who decides and what the RDF supports

Institutional responsibility and operational support are clearly separated.

Competent institutional bodies

Set strategic priorities and approve binding, regulatory and financial decisions in accordance with the applicable legal framework.

Strategic Hub / RDF Directorate

Prepares evidence-based proposals, organises operational coordination, maintains the Registry of Structures and Operational Plan, and monitors indicators and results.

Participating organisations

Exercise their own responsibilities, contribute data and expertise, and take part in thematic groups, networks and Living Labs.

Unified support pathway

The needs of citizens, businesses and organisations are recorded and routed to the appropriate body, with feedback and a shared view of progress.

One mechanism, the entire RDF

Horizontal support by all organisational units

The Strategic Hub is not confined to a single Directorate. The dedicated Directorate coordinates, while the entire RDF mechanism supports planning and implementation.

Strategic planning and coordinationTechnical preparation of projects and programmesEuropean programmes and partnershipsFinancial and administrative supportDigital governance, data and indicatorsCommunication, networking and outreach
Institutional basis

Official reference documents

This page reflects the applicable organisational framework and clearly distinguishes adopted decisions from legislative proposals that are still being advanced.

DECISION

Regional Council Decision 62/2025

Approval of the creation and development of the regional ecosystem and of advancing the Innovation Zone, with a supporting role for the RDF.

View on Diavgeia →

PROPOSED DRAFT LAW

Regional Council Decision 4/2026

Proposal and submission of the draft law on the Innovation Zone and the Strategic Hub. It is not presented here as enacted legislation.

View on Diavgeia →

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION

Law 5314/2026 — Local Government Code

The current institutional framework governing Regional Development Funds.

Hellenic Parliament →

APPROVED ORGANISATION

Government Gazette B 4432/21.07.2026

Establishes the Directorate for the Strategic Hub and Innovation Zone and defines its mission and departments.

Open the Gazette →

RDF Operational PlanOrganisational StructureContact directory

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