Research and Innovation background
Research and innovation in Greece are driven by national and European strategies that aim to boost economic growth, scientific research, and technological advancement. The country prioritises digital transformation, green energy, sustainable transport, and industry modernisation as key R&I areas.
Key R&I strategy documents include:
- National Strategy for Research, Technological Development and Innovation (National RTDI Strategy): This strategy sets out the country’s research and innovation policy. The General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI) is the lead coordinating institution for developing the strategy. It conducts extensive consultations and works closely with co-competent Ministries, the National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation (NCRTI), as well as with the scientific community, business sector and economic partner representatives.
- National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Greece 2.0, 2021): A comprehensive strategy funded by EU Recovery Fund, focusing on green energy, digital transformation, and sustainable development. It includes investments in green transport infrastructure and innovation.
- Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3, 2021-2027): Focuses on innovation-driven growth, emphasising sectors like sustainable transport, renewable energy, and digital technologies. It guides regional developments by identifying unique strengths.
Transport-specific strategies and plans include:
- National Transport Plan for Greece: This is a key policy document which will define the transport sector development strategy for the next 20 years and will support Greece's economic development.
- National Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021-2027: This strategy highlights transport and logistics as a priority sector. Smart Transport Logistics: Areas of Intervention and Priorities 2021 – 2027 was released as part of the overall strategy, outlining specific areas of transport intervention and priority actions.
- Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) for Metropolitan Area of Thessaloniki: A comprehensive plan designed to improve mobility in Thessaloniki’s wider metropolitan region. It promotes the integration of sustainable transport modes, such as public transport, cycling, and walking, while aiming to reduce traffic congestion and emissions. The SUMP also emphasises the use of intelligent transport systems (ITS), better traffic management, and the development of green mobility solutions to foster more sustainable growth.
- National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (2016): Includes transport-specific adaptation measures, emphasising infrastructure resilience and the promotion of sustainable, low-carbon transport modes.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)
Institutional framework of transport research
Key organisations and stakeholders in Greece’s research and innovation landscape include:
- General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI): The primary government body responsible for coordinating and implementing national R&I policies. GSRI also manages research funding programmes.
- Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI): A funding agency supporting basic and applied research, particularly in academia and public research institutions.
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport: Responsible for planning and implementing national transport policy.
- Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Ministry of Development and Investment: Also develop policy that has an important influence on transport research.
- Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH): A leading research centre in transport innovation, focusing on sustainable transport systems, smart mobility, and logistics.
- Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT): Part of CERTH, HIT specialises in research and development for transport, including ITS, sustainable mobility, and logistics.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
Current funding sources and programmes related to transport research in Greece include:
- ELEVATE Greece: A government platform supporting startups, including those focused on transport innovation, by providing funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
- NSRF 2021-2027 (National Strategic Reference Framework): Greece’s primary EU structural funds mechanism, which allocates resources for research and innovation, including sustainable transport projects.
- Transport (2021-2027): Seeks to improve transport connectivity, ensuring an environmentally sustainable transport sector, providing accessibility and social inclusion and strengthening security and safety of transport systems. By implementing critical infrastructure projects that have a large multiplier for the economy it aims to make the daily life of citizens better.
- Environment and Climate Change: Aims to address the key energy and environmental challenges the country faces with respect to energy, climate change, solid waste, water, urban regeneration, capacity building, biodiversity, eco islands and urban mobility.
- Continental Greece Operational Programme: Aims to contribute to the strategic vision of the region to achieve a balanced economic and social development, by improving the entrepreneurial and investment environment while respecting the environment and the citizen. It includes supporting the shift to a low-carbon economy in all sectors, and promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures.
- Ionian Islands Operational Programme: Aims to boost economic development and create job opportunities in the Ionian Islands. It contributes to achieving the Europe 2020 targets for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, also in line with the smart specialisation strategy. This includes following the enhancement of transport infrastructures by promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures.
- Interreg V-A - Greece-Italy: Supports strategic cross-border co-operation between Greece and Italy for a more prosperous and sustainable region across the Ionian Sea. One of the key priorities is having a multimodal sustainable transport system which includes: promoting investments in response to the needs for better regional and cross-border connectivity; accessibility to transport infrastructures; coordination of cross-border transport systems and procedures; the integration of regional, national and cross-border transportation planning; and the promotion of an efficient and environmentally-friendly mobility and transport system.
- Interreg V-A - Greece-Bulgaria: Aims to promote a better interconnected cross-border area with reduced travel times for goods and people, and improved traffic safety.
- Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development Operational Programme: Includes 16 priority axes amongst transport and environment topics. Main objectives include; promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures.
Other regional programmes (2021-2027) linked to transport include:
- Anatoliki Makedonia, Thraki: Focuses on improving road and rail connectivity, with emphasis on cross-border transport links.
- Attiki: Prioritises the expansion of sustainable urban mobility solutions in the Athens metropolitan area, including public transport and electric mobility.
- Dytiki Ellada: Aims to enhance transport infrastructure for better connectivity between urban and rural areas, and promote greener transport modes.
- Dytiki Makedonia: Emphasises upgrading transport infrastructure to support economic transition and reduce the region’s carbon footprint.
- Ionia Nisia: Focuses on improving maritime and air transport to better connect the islands with mainland Greece and promote tourism sustainability.
- Ipeiros: Aims to modernise road networks and promote sustainable transport in rural and mountainous areas.
- Kentriki Makedonia: Prioritises improving road, rail, and public transport in Thessaloniki and surrounding areas to foster urban mobility and reduce emissions.
- Kriti: Enhances the island’s road and port infrastructure, with a focus on improving sustainable transport and reducing environmental impact.
- Notio Aigaio: Supports improvements in maritime and air transport, with an emphasis on green mobility solutions for the island region.
- Peloponnisos: Aims to develop road and rail transport to improve connectivity and reduce regional disparities, with a focus on sustainability.
- Sterea Ellada: Focuses on modernizing road and rail infrastructure to enhance regional connectivity and support economic growth.
- Thessalia: Prioritises investments in sustainable transport infrastructure, including road and public transport improvements for better urban-rural connectivity.
- Voreio Aigaio: Aims to enhance island connectivity through improvements in maritime and air transport, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)