Island and Mountain Destinations: A Masterclass in Sustainable Mobility

social_square post copy

Island and Mountain Destinations: A Masterclass in Sustainable Mobility. 

2-6 June 2025 | Aegina & Hydra Islands, Greece

Overview

 

CIVINET Greece-Cyprus will organise the first masterclass in Europe in sustainable mobility in island and mountain destinations, from 2 to 6 June 2025, on the Greek islands of Aegina and Hydra, with the support of CIVITAS Initiative (DG MOVE).

Join us for an engaging and informative five-day masterclass, where education meets adventure! With leading international speakers and participants worldwide, the masterclass is designed to explore key challenges, innovative strategies, and solutions for promoting sustainable mobility in the beautiful and vulnerable landscape of Aegina Island in Greece.

The masterclass is based on CIVINET Greece-Cyprus methodology for the Sustainable Island Mobility Plan and Circular Tourism (based on ELTIS SUMP guidelines and INCIRCLE project), published in 2024 in collaboration with the University of the Aegean, co-funded by the European Commission and the Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy.

► CIVINET Greece-Cyprus is the official National Network of CIVITAS, the network of cities established by the European Commission in 2002 to promote sustainable mobility in EU member states.

 

Aftermovie of our previous event on Aegina island

Highlights

Discover and Enjoy:

  • Unique training opportunity | Join Europe’s only current masterclass on Sustainable Mobility in Island & Mountain destinations!
  • Experience the Greek islands | Spent five days with locals on two of the most astonishing Greek Islands in the wider Athens Metropolitan Area.
  • Learn and network | Connect with high-level experts, politicians, and practitioners of the mobility and tourism sectors, from around the world.
  • Get involved in a local case study | The masterclass participants will work in groups for five days and finally they will present their work in public, regarding major mobility challenges of Aegina Island.
  • Beach Retreat | Relax with a swim at Marathon Beach and the stunning rocks of Hydra.
  • Cycling adventure | Experience a scenic coastal ride from the port of Aegina to Perdika village during the World Bicycle Day.
  • Explore Aegina, Hydra, and Perdika | Enjoy a guided walking tour at three traditional and protected settlements by the sea.
  • Culinary Delights | Savor local food and drinks at famous restaurants on both islands.
  • Final day conference | Attend a special conference featuring insights from international sustainability experts and practitioners.
  • Exclusive guide | Receive the recent guidebook “Sustainable Island Mobility Plan” (2024) printed, as well as plenty of unique digital educational material, such as the “Circular Tourism Strategy for the Attica Island”, for free!

Programm outline – Thematic Areas

The masterclass is designed with the approach of interactive learning and knowledge exchange.

Participants will receive 6 lectures from high-level experts and 4 speeches from local decision makers, focusing on key topics such as:

  1. Accessibility, Walking, and Hiking
  2. Cycling and Micro-Mobility
  3. Urban Logistics
  4. Car Traffic, Parking, and Road Safety
  5. Public Transport and Taxi Services
  6. Maritime Transport and Port Management

Furthermore, references to the following horizontal topics will be included in presentations and discussions:

  • Integrated spatial planning
  • Circular tourism
  • Co-creation with local actors
  • Destination’s carrying capacity

Real-world examples will be highlighted through field work and interactive workshops with local stakeholders.

Agenda summary

Day 1 – Monday

  • Sailing from Piraeus Port to Aegina Island
  • Speakers: I. Pagoni (University of the Aegean), K. Anagnostopoulos (CIVINET Greece-Cyprus), and a representative of Aegina Island
  • Beachwork by on-demand Public Transport

Day 2 – Tuesday

  • Speakers: Chris Bruntlett (Dutch Cycling Embassy), M. Beretsos (Parnonas Development SA) (tbc), and a representative of Aegina Port authority
  • Cycling and walking to Perdika

Day 3 – Wednesday

  • Day trip to Hydra Island
  • Speakers: I. Spilanis (University of the Aegean), and a representative of Hydra Island
  • Logistics smart solution demonstration
  • Real deep dives in the sea

Day 4 – Thursday

  • Speakers: Claudio Mantero (Funchal, Madeira Island), and a representative of Attica Islands Network
  • Walkshop at Aegina old town by I. Dedes (Democritus University of Thrace)

Day 5 – Friday

  • Final day conference
  • Presentation of masterclass results
  • Sailing to Piraeus

For whom

This Masterclass aims to bring together researchers, planners, mobility practitioners, island experts and policy makers to share valuable insights, discuss best practices and work together to create more sustainable island and mountain destinations. Whether you’re interested in one or more mobility topics, this masterclass will equip you with the knowledge and tools to make a positive impact.

Through a combination of specialist lectures, collaborative fieldwork and experiential circular tourism activities, Masterclass participants will interactively learn from leading international experts and be guided in their research into how the island of Aegina could be transformed into a more sustainable destination for all.

Masterclass language: English.

Registration – Training fee

  • Minimum number of participants for the Masterclass to be held: 15
  • Register here until the 30th of March. Do not book airplane tickets and accommodation before this date (consult us in prior).
  • Regular fee: 1750 € +VAT
  • Students and unemployed fee: 1500 € +VAT
  • Early bird fee until the 10th of March: 1500 € +VAT

The fee includes:

  • All educational activities, including access to the final day conference
  • All transfers by boat and bus during the 5 days, starting/ending from/to Piraeus port
  • Bike rental during the 2nd day (World Bicycle Day)
  • All morning coffee/tea, lunches, and dinners
  • Special educational and writing material (e.g. the SIMP guide)

The fee does not include:

  • Airfare and travel expenses (from your base to the port of Piraeus)
  • Accommodation
  • Optional travel extension
  • Insurance
  • Visa expenses
  • Personal expenses
  • Alcohol during lunches and dinners

Payment procedure

  • Αdvance payment of 500 euros directly after the registration to become valid.
  • Repayment until the 30th of March.
  • Payments only through direct deposit to IBAN: GR2801100670000006700260851 / Account holder: CIVINET Greece-Cyprus ΑΜΚΕ / BIC: ETHNGRAA
  • For invoice details and procedure please contact Mrs Pelagia Tragari <civinet.secretary@gmail.com>.

European tax legislation obliges us to charge 24% VAT on top of the participation fee, unless the payment is executed by a legal entity based in EU.

Videos – articles – material

Aegina INCIRCLE 3-day event video: https://youtu.be/ULqMm9eLsVk?si=mv6zzadhjFdSVH0v

Rethymno CIVITAS summer course video: https://youtu.be/4Y3Ge35qKA4?si=wvKWov1JJU6VB-U_

INCIRCLE promo video: https://youtu.be/6Vy80zazPbY?si=FTcriXUXrB6eT_yz

INCIRCLE website: https://incircle.interreg-med.eu/

BBC article about car-free Hydra: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230108-hydra-the-greek-island-that-banned-wheels

ELTIS article about Sustainable Island Mobility Plans: https://urban-mobility-observatory.transport.ec.europa.eu/resources/case-studies/simps-islands-propose-new-approach-sump-concept_en

CIVINET Greece-Cyprus educational material: https://civinet.gr/entypo-uliko/

Stay tuned for udpates!