Eastern Macedonia and Thrace tops Greece in EU fund utilization
The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has emerged as the top performer nationwide in the use of European Union development funds (ESPA), according to official data released up to July 14, 2025.
The region ranked:
1st in funding calls issued – reaching 114.09%, well above the national average of 86.22%.
1st in project approvals – 80.17% vs. the national 61.51%.
1st in project contracts signed – 55.91%, compared to 40.48% nationally.
4th in payments (fund absorption) – at 22.39%, slightly behind the third position.
These achievements were highlighted at a regional event in Kavala, titled “ESPA: Opportunities for Development and Local Support”, attended by officials from Greece’s national and regional ESPA management bodies.
Strong Praise for Regional Leadership
General Secretary of ESPA, Vasiliki Pantelopoulou, and other senior officials congratulated Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis for his administration’s effective strategy. Governor Topsidis was praised for his commitment to fully utilizing EU resources to drive local growth.
“We treat EU funds as our most important tool for development,” said Governor Topsidis.
“We are investing in society, jobs, innovation, entrepreneurship, and quality of life.”
He added that the region is managing over €740 million under the 2021–2027 ESPA program, calling it a key pillar of the area's development strategy.
Looking Ahead
Topsidis also emphasized the importance of planning for the next EU funding period (2028–2034), stressing that funds must continue to support those most in need and deliver measurable results.
He repeated a proposal he first made in Brussels in October 2024 — calling for a special fund to support border regions of the EU, such as Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, particularly in areas of security and social resilience.
Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is setting a national example in how to effectively manage EU resources, with strong results in project implementation, transparency, and regional impact.
