Events by Greek BELC partner municipality, Platanias for the European elections

In the context of the Mayor of Platanias Mr. Giannis Malandrakis being member of the BELC network and in view of the upcoming European elections in June 2024, Platanias’ municipal services conceived and executed a comprehensive series of informative programmes, geared towards young people. These initiatives aimed to shed light on the European elections and the pivotal role EU institutions play.

Platanias carried out the programme through outstanding collaboration with Europe Direct Crete and the Evening Vocational High School of Platanias in the last week of April 2024. They established an "Information Point" within the Gerani Town Hall, adjacent to the Citizens Service Centre, where not only Greeks but members of the international European community could receive information about postal voting procedures and learn about the functions of European institutions, including the European Parliament. Collaborating with the Vocational High School of Platanias, participants were invited to share their anonymous opinion of the EU's impact on their daily lives through targeted questionnaires.

Both Platania residents and visitors from other EU countries were informed about the Infokiosk through the Association of Hotels of Chania and the Tourist Accommodation Associations.

During the timeframe of the programmes, Mayor Malandrakis visited Brussels as a BELC member to exchange knowledge and collaborate with EU institutions on behalf of Platanias Municipality. Even though he was not physically present, it didn’t prevent the Mayor to have his presence felt during the event and Mr. Malandrakis joined in a live broadcast from the European Parliament, representing a significant engagement with the heart of the European Union.

The culmination was a Europe Day celebration in the late afternoon on April 23, 2024 at the conference hall of the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymbari, Municipality of Platanias. This event was organised as part of the European Mwemena, European Parliament Ambassador Schools, in which the Evening Vocational High School of Platanias is actively involved.

The initiative was a resounding success, drawing approximately 300 attendees, including students, young adults, educators, parents, representatives from various institutions, and members of the educational community in the prefecture of Chania.