ECO4ALL Cost Action conference sessions Open Air Cities Conference in Athens (Greece), February 14-16, 2025

On February 14-16, 2025 – The Open Air Cities Conference, held at the Harokopio University of Athens, brought together leading experts, policymakers, and researchers to explore innovative approaches for sustainable urban development. This flagship event addressed critical challenges in achieving greener, more inclusive cities, with the ECO4ALL COST Action (CA22124) co-organizing two impactful sessions focusing on consumer empowerment and sustainable practices in the circular economy.

The conference’s plenary session on February 14 featured a distinguished keynote address by Prof. Olesea Plotnic, Chair of the ECO4ALL COST Action and Full Professor at Universitatea de Stat din Moldova / Moldova State University. The Chair Action ECO4ALL emphasized the pivotal role of legal frameworks and consumer protection mechanisms in driving sustainable consumption and production. Her address highlighted the need to integrate policy innovation with grassroots efforts to foster long-term sustainability.

On February 15, the ECO4ALL Action hosted an in-person session featuring 12 speakers, who provided valuable insights on circular economy practices, consumer awareness, and the role of policy and regulation in ensuring a just green transition. The interactive session facilitated engaging discussions and knowledge-sharing among participants.

The final ECO4ALL session on February 16 was conducted online, bringing together international experts to explore strategies for enhancing consumer protection within the circular economy. The virtual session served as a platform for collaborative problem-solving and the exchange of best practices to support the green transition.

The ECO4ALL sessions aligned closely with the Open Air Cities mission, showcasing how cross-sectoral collaboration, policy development, and public engagement can address the challenges of circular economies in urban settings. The sessions also underscored the pivotal role of consumer awareness and legal mechanisms in ensuring inclusive transitions to sustainable practices.

ECO4ALL, part of the EU-funded COST Action initiative, continues to lead efforts in enhancing consumer protection and promoting sustainable development by bridging research and policy across Europe. These sessions represent a significant milestone in advancing the Action’s objectives and fostering collaborative networks to support the green transition.

For further information on the Open Air Cities Conference, please visit the conference website and access the book of abstracts.