PRESS RELEASE

“RESt4GREEN”, an EU-funded project, co-funded by the European Union with 89%, under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, has a total budget of €2,804,100.00 and has been officially launched with the mission to enhance energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster sustainability and resilience across the Mediterranean region.

Public buildings across the Mediterranean face major challenges in energy efficiency. Many of them consume large amounts of energy, resulting in higher utility costs and growing energy poverty. Buildings remain one of the biggest energy users and sources of emissions in both the EU and MENA regions, making them a critical focus for sustainable change. This inefficiency, combined with limited public awareness of energy-saving behaviors, continues to slow progress toward greater energy independence and environmental sustainability, a challenge that RESt4GREEN aims to address.

RESt4GREEN aims to develop and implement sustainable, transnational, and transferable solutions that will contribute to:

• improving the energy performance of public buildings,
• upgrading outdoor public spaces through innovative infrastructure such as solar trees and smart solar benches.

Through pilot implementations across the seven participating countries and the formation of a Mediterranean cross-border Quadruple Helix community (engaging citizens, public authorities, businesses, and academia), the project seeks to build capacity and readiness among stakeholders, foster a cultural and behavioral shift toward sustainability, and support policy reforms for green transition in the Mediterranean region.

RESt4GREEN will:

• Implement six pilot projects in Greece, Türkiye, Spain, Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan, transforming selected public buildings into energy-efficient and environmentally friendly places.
• Implement six solar-powered outdoor areas, equipped with smart benches and solar trees, providing renewable energy for public use while raising awareness of sustainable
• Develop a Joint Roadmap for Energy Efficiency and solar-powered outdoor
• Develop energy games to inform kids and professionals to build awareness on energy efficiency and renewable in a creative and engaging
• Establish a digital platform that will serve as a central, interactive hub providing:
  • educational content and energy-themed games
  • a forum for communication and exchange of best practices
  • real-time energy monitoring systems for the pilot sites
• Develop policy paper with reform proposals for institutional and policy Expected beneficiaries include:
• 20–30 local public authorities & 7 national public authorities, including ministries and agencies for energy and environment, informed through evidence and

• 12 pilot building managers benefiting from reduced costs and improved

• 100+ citizens and users who will enjoy enhanced comfort, solar-powered amenities, and greater ecological

By combining technical innovation, behavioral change, and policy learning, RESt4GREEN will contribute to the region’s transition towards a low-carbon, energy-resilient future. The project represents a tangible step towards achieving the EU’s Green Deal goals and fostering sustainable development across Mediterranean communities.