Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aephoria
The Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Αephoria (AE4RIA) is an initiative for collaboration between research institutions, innovation accelerators and science-technology-policy interface networks, focused on sustainable development. Our mission is to facilitate a science driven and human centric transformation towards the joint implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of UN Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the European Green Deal.
Prof. Phoebe Koundouri is the Founder and Scientific Chair of AE4RIA
organized
Research Laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES)
Research Laboratory on Socio-Economic and Environmental Sustainability (ReSEES) at Athens University of Economics and Business focuses on interdisciplinary research on socio-economic and environmental systems. ReSEES via its interdisciplinary and international research team has an impressive track record in attracting research funding from European Commission, International Organizations and Foundations. Such as the (ERC) Water-Futures: Smart Water Futures: Designing the Next Generation of Urban drinking Water Systems, (Horizon 2020) ARSINOE: Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: Research and Innovation, (Horizon 2020) BRIDGE-BS: Advancing Black Sea Research and Innovation to Co-Develop Blue Growth within Resilient Ecosystems, (Horizon 2020) IMPETUS: Dynamic Information Management Approach For the Implementation of Climate Resilient Adaptation Packaged in European Region. ReSEES research tools include, among others, financial analysis, socio-economic and econometric analysis, environmental valuation, political and institutional analysis, integrated environmental-economic modeling, life cycle analysis, risk analysis, geographical information systems, game theory, information technology decision making tools development and systems innovation approach. Director: Prof. Phoebe Koundouri
Sustainable Development Unit (SDU)
The Sustainable Development Unit (SDU), at “Athena” Information Technology Research Center leads systemic research on the Green and Digital Transition. SDU engages in cutting-edge research to enable the transition to resilience and sustainability, through the implementation of UN Agenda 2030 (17 SDGs), the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. The Unit focuses on interdisciplinary systems research and the delivery of innovative solutions for the transition to a green, digital, job-based and fair future. The work on its large interdisciplinary team focuses on the inter-dependencies between research and innovation, the economy, the society, the environment, policy-making and politics. The thematic priorities of the Unit are namely: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation; Sustainable Blue Growth; Water-Food-Energy Nexus; Circular Economy; Sustainable Finance; Research Commercialization and Innovation Acceleration. Among the research projects of the Unit are: (Horizon 2020) DOORS: Developing an Optimal and Open Research Support system to unlock the potential for blue growth in the Black Sea, (Horizon 2020) SEAwise: Shaping ecosystem based fisheries management and (Horizon 2020) ARSINOE: Climate Resilient Regions Through Systemic Solutions and Innovations. Scientific Director: Prof. Phoebe Koundouri
International Centre for Research on the Environment and the Economy (ICRE8)
The International Centre for Research on the Environment and the Economy (ICRE8) is a non profit private Research Centre dedicated to interdisciplinary research on sustainable development and management of the Environment, Energy, Economy, Eco-innovations and their electronic versions (hence E8). The overarching goal of the Centre is to promote the understanding and implementation of Sustainable Development, as the only non-self-destructive path of socio-economic development.
EIT Climate-KIC Greece Hub
The EIT Climate-KIC Greece Hub of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, hosted by the ATHENA RC focuses on accelerating technological and social innovations for the transition to a climate neutral economy with many Research Deep demonstration projects and a Maritime ClimAccelerator, in which 25 startups were incubated. EIT Climate-KIC Greece Hub is a connector between policymakers, innovators and the society, seeking the transformation of the society. This process is ensured through implementation research, participatory workshops, educational training, capacity building, local actions and innovation support and communities of practice. Through our network, we can offer seminars and training to stakeholders at the Municipality level, as well as the co-responsible public authorities such as Ministries of Environment and Agriculture or Port authorities, at the business sector such as entrepreneurs, farmers, shipowners, investors and bankers about the meaning and importance of implementing the Systems Innovation Approach and more importantly why it is relevant for protecting the economy while at the same time integrating the new technologies into the market.
Maritime ClimAccelerator
The Maritime ClimAccelerator, supported by EIT Climate-KIC, through its vast network of collaborators, will offer participating start-ups funding, training, peer to peer coaching and theme-specific mentoring (both virtually and in-person). 30-40 start-ups will be accepted per year and will be asked to provide innovative solutions for the transition to sustainability of the maritime industry, both locally and globally, and will be given the opportunity to present their ideas in front of investors, port authorities and shipping companies. The Maritime ClimAccelerator will thus provide start-ups with a unique opportunity to test, demonstrate and validate their solution.
BRIGAID Connect Association
BRIGAID Connect Association, , is a research driven incubator that turns innovation ideas into real climate adaptation solutions. BRIGAID Connect is a solution provider for the ambitious climate adaptation strategy. This Association is the outcome of an EU-funded project “BRIGAID: Bridging the gap for Innovations in Disaster Resilience” (2016-2020) and engages over 120 climate adaptation innovations in an advanced stage of development. The project evaluated 125 innovations from across Europe, selecting 40 of them to participate in a collaborative technical readiness assessment, and accompanying 26 more through its market readiness programme.
The aforementioned institutes are also linked and support the following Scientific Associations and Science-Policy Networks
Sustainable Development Solutions Network
SDSN mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
SDSN Europe
SDSN Europe is a regional network whose leadership is constituted from existing National SDSN European networks, and its mission is to serve as a science driven interface with European Commission policymaking. Under SDSN Europe operates the SDSN European Green Deal Senior Working as well as the SDSN European SEAs Initiative.
SDSN Greece
SDSN Greece is a national network of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and mobilizes global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical solutions for sustainable development, including the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement and is co-hosted by the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), the Political Economy of Sustainable Development Lab (PESD) and “Athena” Information Technology Research Center (ATHENA RC). SDNS Greece has included in its network almost all Universities and Research Centers of the country (27) as members.
European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE)
The European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) is an international scientific association whose aims are, to contribute to the development and application of environmental, climate and resource economics as a science in Europe; to encourage and improve collaboration and communication between scholars, researchers, policymakers, students in environmental, climate and resource economics in different European countries; to develop and encourage the cooperation across universities and research institutions in Europe.
Water Europe
Water Europe is a member-based multi-stakeholder platform with an ambition to represent the whole value-chain of water and achieve a European Water- Smart Society. Its mission is to improve coordination and collaboration in the water sector and water using sectors in the EU and beyond, to enhance the performance and competitiveness of the European water sector and water using sectors and to contribute to solving global challenges through research and innovation. Member of Water Europe is ATHENA RC.
NEXUS Cluster
The NEXUS Cluster is a group of independent research initiatives who team up for increased and more impacting communication and dissemination of the Nexus. The Nexus includes sectors like water, energy, food, land and climate, as well as important societal challenges like public health and rural-urban development.
