GR-I-CE 2026 – Official Press Release
2nd International Conference on Green Innovation and Circular Economy

Athens, May 20, 2026 – The 2nd International Conference on Green Innovation & Circular Economy – GR-I-CE 2026, held in Athens, has left a significant imprint on the international scientific and professional map. The conference was organized by the UNESCO Chair on Green Innovation and Circular Economy at NTUA, held by Professor Konstantinos Aravossis, in collaboration with Mantis Beyond Innovation and a network of scientific and institutional partners. Bringing together more than 1,000 participants, the event featured three days of intensive dialogue, 150 scientific papers, 19 panels, over 10 special sessions, daily B2B meetings, and a two-day hackathon, culminating in a conference that exceeded all previous milestones in scale. 

GR-I-CE 2026 hosted high-level scientific sessions covering key thematic areas such as waste utilization, resource recovery, sustainable materials, green technologies, circular design, environmental economics, climate resilience, biomass, maritime sustainability, as well as policy, governance, and strategic planning. 

In parallel, roundtables and panel discussions were conducted in both Greek and English, featuring representatives from Research Institutions, the Government, Regulatory Authorities, Local Government, Industry, Education, and Civil Society. 

One of the most dynamic aspects of GR-I-CE 2026 was its focus on actionable outcomes and synergies rather than just research and policy. In this context, B2B meetings provided participants with the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and develop partnerships with a substantial impact. 

Waste-to-Energy: From Design to Implementation One of the conference’s most topical themes was a roundtable event organized on Monday, May 11, by the Waste Sector of RAAEY, focusing on waste-to-energy utilization. 

The discussion was moderated by Prof. Konstantinos Aravossis, Vice President of RAAEY and UNESCO Chairholder at NTUA. He emphasized that, with proper planning, energy recovery can complement recycling efforts and contribute to diverting waste from landfills. Ms. Aida Anthouli, Head of the Office of the Vice President of the Waste Sector, underlined that the Authority views the potential of waste-to-energy recovery positively in principle, provided that environmental safety, social consensus, and independent oversight are ensured. 

The panel featured Mr. Manolis Grafakos (Secretary General of Ministry of Environment and Energy ), Mr. Panagiotis Simandirakis (President of the SWMA) Network & Mayor of Chania), Mr. Konstantinos Zervas (representative of Central Union of Municipalities of Greece, Mr. Giorgos Iliopoulos (President of HSWMA), Mr. Dionysis Asimakopoulos (Professor Emeritus at NTUA and Member of the Plenary of RAAEY), as well as Mr. Konstantinos Sfetsioris (HAEE) and Mr. Achilleas Plitharas (WWF Hellas). 

Green Transition, Skills, and Social Cohesion Within the framework of GR-I-CE 2026, the CESI hosted a roundtable titled “Aligning Green Innovation with a Sustainable and Inclusive Future.” The session aimed to highlight the work and initiatives of CESI, emphasizing the interdisciplinarity that defines its core identity. 

The roundtable featured NTUA Professors Konstantinos Aravossis, Magda Krokida, Eirini Koronaki, Gregory Grigoropoulos, Athanasios Rentizelas, Symeon Papavassiliou, Nikolaos Ventikos, and Alexandros Papagiannis, demonstrating in practice that the green transition, sustainability, and the circular economy require synergies across diverse scientific fields and integrated approaches. 

E-NICHE Hackathon: Innovation and Collaboration at the Center The conference also featured the E-NICHE Hackathon 2026, dedicated to Chemical Ecology, organized in cooperation with Mantis Beyond Innovation and the Hellenic Entomological Society. Researchers, students, and innovators worked in teams using design thinking and AI-assisted prototyping tools, strengthening the bridge between academia and the market. 

GR-I-CE 2026 was organized under the auspices of RAAEY, Ministry of Environment and Energy  , and the Municipality of Athens, with the support of an extensive network of partners, including: HSWMA, PASEPPE, HellaBiom, SOFFA, HELLENiQ ENERGY Center, CSR Hellas, Beyond CSR, and ELLET. 

The event was supported by MESOGEIOS, Antipollution, Thalis, Papastratos, Break-Even Consulting, Faria Renewables, SEDPEKAT SA, GOLIOPOULOS SA, and ΑΝΑΚΕΜ. 

For more information, please visit: https://griceconf.eu/