Athens received a Gold Award at the Best City Awards for the operation of the Energy Poverty Alleviation Office (EPAO), recognizing the City of Athens’ innovative policy promoting social cohesion and energy justice.
The award was presented during a special ceremony held on Wednesday, February 11, at the Serafio City of Athens, in the presence of the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas.
In his statement, Mr. Doukas emphasized:
“Energy poverty is not an abstract concept, but a daily hardship for thousands of households. Through EPAO, we have demonstrated that local government can provide practical solutions: more than 240 households have been exempted from municipal fees, 85,000 LED lamps and more than 450 energy benefit cards have been distributed to energy-vulnerable households, while we have provided free electricity for 22 years to a single-parent family. We are moving forward dynamically with the goal of a fairer, more resilient Athens, free from energy exclusion.”
Also present at the event were Deputy Mayor of Finance Giorgos Giannaros, Develop Athens President Vangelis Marinakis, Chief Executive Officer Elissaios Sarmas,DAEM President Vassilios Bokos, Vice President Nikos Laliotis, Chief Executive Officer Lazaros Karaoulis, the President of OPANDA Roxani Bei, the Chief Executive Officer of EASΥ Ioannis Georgizas, as well as executives of Develop Athens and DAEM.
In his statement, the President of Develop Athens, Vangelis Marinakis, underlined:
“The Energy Poverty Alleviation Office proves in practice that Develop Athens can implement the City’s social policy with measurable results. This distinction confirms our strategic choice to invest in actions that have a substantial impact on our vulnerable fellow citizens.”
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Develop Athens, Elissaios Sarmas, noted:
“EPAO is a living example of how expertise, organization, and synergies can be transformed into meaningful support for vulnerable households. We are working systematically to strengthen the project’s services and broaden its social footprint.”
The Office’s Work
EPAO was established in May 2024 and operates under Develop Athens, with the aim of mapping energy-vulnerable households in the city and implementing targeted interventions to reduce energy poverty. Through the work of certified energy advisors, EPAO records and evaluates the energy footprint of households, providing personalized energy-saving recommendations.
To date, the Office has assessed approximately 700 Athenian households, of which 450 were deemed energy-vulnerable and 88 were identified as being at the threshold of energy poverty.
Exemptions from Municipal Fees
At the same time, EPAO plays a key role in facilitating exemptions from municipal fees for households that meet the criteria of the National Energy and Climate Plan. More than 240 municipal fee exemption certifications have already been issued and delivered, while the Office is currently processing data for dozens of additional applications.
Additionally, through EPAO, eligible beneficiaries receive the Energy Benefit Card, which grants access to products that improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
The Office’s distinction at the Best City Awards confirms Athens’ role as a city that invests in innovative, socially just, and sustainable policies, with a focus on protecting its most vulnerable citizens.