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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.

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.
Strategic Hub ecosystem map

The four pillars in detail

The diagram presents the four development pillars of the Strategic Hub of Western Macedonia: Innovation Zone, Entrepreneurship, Employment and Skills, and Social Economy. It also shows connected Living Labs and supporting structures. Explore the text overview of each pillar below.

The four pillars and connected structures. English overview from the Strategic Hub presentation of 15 September 2026. Select the image to view it at full size. This ecosystem map includes structures at different stages of development and does not imply that every service is already operational or funded through the same programme.
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 HubCoordination • 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 Living Lab; AgroWine Lab – Agri-food and Wine; Mountain Living Lab (Living Lab Ορεινών Όγκων); Lakes Living Lab (Living Lab Λιμνών); RESALLIENCE Living Lab; SMART Living Lab UoWM
  • Other connected ecosystem projects: Just Transition, URSOILL and ISABEL
  • Connected structures: PowerTech Hub and the Youth, Education & Innovation Centre

Related structures and links →
Living Labs project details →

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.
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.

Directorate of the Strategic Hub and Innovation Zone

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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