JustREACH Workshop in Athens: Local Perspectives on Just Climate Adaptation in Kypseli
On Friday, 9 October, DAEM, the City of Athens’ IT Company and a partner in the project, organised the first JustREACH co-creation workshop in Athens at the Municipal Market of Kypseli. Around 20 participants, including residents, local businesses, municipal representatives and other stakeholders from Athens’ 6th Municipal District, came together to discuss the neighbourhood’s climate challenges and opportunities for socially just adaptation.
The Municipal Market of Kypseli provided a fitting setting for the workshop. Once a traditional food market, it has become an important community meeting point, hosting cultural activities, social initiatives and events that bring together the neighbourhood’s diverse communities.
Understanding climate challenges in Kypseli
Discussions focused on the everyday realities of living and working in one of Athens’ most densely populated neighbourhoods. Participants explored the lack of green spaces, concerns about air quality and the impact of increasingly intense heatwaves, which make summers particularly difficult in the city.
Social vulnerabilities were also central to the conversation. The presence of public housing for people with disabilities as well as migrant communities in the area raised important questions about how climate risks affect residents differently and how adaptation measures can respond to their specific needs.
Participants shared their experiences, identified barriers to addressing these challenges and discussed existing good practices and opportunities for improvement. The conversations also highlighted the importance of accessible public spaces and community meeting points, such as the Municipal Market, in supporting local connections and participation.
The workshop marked the beginning of a series of three participatory sessions planned for the Athens pilot. This first meeting focused on identifying local challenges, implementation gaps and opportunities, while creating space for residents and stakeholders to exchange perspectives. The next workshops will build on these discussions to explore the needs and priorities of different communities and jointly develop possible adaptation solutions.