The REPper consortium convened on 17 October 2025 in Thessaloniki for its third coordination meeting, marking an important milestone in the project’s implementation. The session was jointly hosted by ANATOLIKI and FODSA Central Macedonia, who welcomed partners to the region and introduced the agenda, highlighting both the internal coordination work and the public-facing activities linked to the Thessaloniki Repair Festival taking place the following day.
Representatives from all partner organisations participated in the meeting, including MCBO, AViTeM, UNSA, Auleda, DECOP, OCU, E-Zavod, and Articolo 49, demonstrating the project’s strong transnational cooperation. The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the hosts, followed by an overview from MCBO, which summarised the project’s progress, upcoming deadlines, and strategic priorities for the next implementation phase.
Progress across work packages
Each thematic leader presented updates on their work:
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WP1 (AViTeM) reported on the ongoing development of regional repair hubs and the organisation of peer-to-peer learning activities. Partners shared the latest progress in their territories, including new collaborations with local authorities, repair cafés, social enterprises, and educational institutions.
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WP2 (UNSA) presented the advancements in training modules and curricula supporting emerging repair professions. Feedback gathered from pilot actions and local stakeholders is being integrated into the next version of training materials.
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WP3 (OCU) delivered updates on awareness-raising actions, consumer nudges, and behavioural change strategies. The team provided insights on the development of guidelines as well as the content of upcoming public events.
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WP4 and WP5 discussions focused on quality assurance, monitoring, and future dissemination activities.
Communication and dissemination
The communication team presented several updates, including:
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the selection of the REPping Heroes illustration,
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the progress on the Euro-Med Academy video,
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the development of new multilingual communication materials,
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the strategy for promoting festival activities across partner countries.
Partners also reviewed planning for the policy-focused activities, including focus groups, expert roundtables, and contributions to the project’s future policy paper.
Steering Committee discussions
The Steering Committee addressed administrative and strategic issues such as internal deliverables, coordination procedures, and budget expenditure. Partners reviewed the GANTT, clarified upcoming responsibilities, and discussed risk mitigation measures.
Looking ahead
Before closing the meeting, partners confirmed the next consortium gatherings, tentatively scheduled for Sarajevo in March 2026 and Bologna in May 2026. The hosts also briefed the consortium on the final logistical arrangements for the Thessaloniki Repair Festival, which would bring together citizens, professionals, educational organisations, and policymakers.
The Thessaloniki coordination meeting reinforced the strong collaboration within the REPper consortium, facilitated productive exchanges, and ensured a clear and shared roadmap for the months ahead—setting the stage for a successful festival and the continued advancement of repair and circular economy practices across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
