An open space for dialogue about the real needs, opportunities, and collaborations that can make a difference in every region.
Elassona | Thursday 1 October 2026 | 18:00 | Café Enjoy Classic, Drachma 3
The RIS3 Innovation Cafés It is a series of local, participatory meetings that bring RIS3 Thessaly closer to businesses, producers, organizations, and people from the local economy, outside the large urban centers.
Their goal is to create an open space for dialogue, where participants can highlight their real concerns. the needs, challenges, and opportunities of their region, To exchange experiences and ideas and explore opportunities for cooperation.
Simultaneously, through the Innovation Cafés, the participants have the opportunity to get to know each other better. RIS3 Thessaly, the Regional Innovation Ecosystem Support Mechanism, available tools and projects of local interest, as well as networking and collaboration opportunities.
Each meeting lasts approximately 90 minutes and combines brief information with meaningful participation and discussion.
Brief presentation of RIS3 Thessaly, the Mechanism, the website and the e-Hub, as well as selected innovation projects and actions of immediate interest to the region.
Local organizations, businesses, producers, and other representatives of the local ecosystem highlight issues, needs, and opportunities that they consider important for the region.
Based on the issues highlighted, the participants are organized into discussion tables, according to their interests and the local challenges that have arisen.
At each table, specific local needs and challenges are discussed, with the aim of recording potential solutions, new ideas, opportunities for collaboration, and realistic next steps.
The key points emerging from the discussions are gathered and presented, creating a common picture of the needs, opportunities, and potential collaborations of the region.
Each Innovation Café concludes with time for free discussion, networking, exchanging contacts, and exploring potential collaborations.
RIS3 Innovation Cafés are not linked in advance to a specific theme per location.
The discussion starts with the real needs, problems, and opportunities highlighted by local actors and the participants themselves.
Depending on the issues that arise, discussion tables are formed and participants can contribute to topics that are closer to their interests or activities.
The organizing team is prepared for issues that often occur in the semi-urban and rural areas of Thessaly, such as:
We start from the real needs of the place and discuss possible solutions and next steps with them.
The cycle includes 8 local meetings in four Regional Units of Thessaly.
| Location | Date | Time | Space |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellassona | Thursday 01/10/2026 | 18:00 | Cafe Enjoy Classic, Value 3 |
| Agia | Wednesday 07/10/2026 | 18:00 | Cafe Konne, Central Square of Agia |
| Farsala | Friday 09/10/2026 | 17:30 | Municipal Cultural Center of Faraslons, Leonidou 14 |
| Almyros | Monday 12/10/2026 | 18:00 | Colibri Cafe, Athens 1 |
| Kalampaka | Thursday 15/10/2026 | 18:00 | Café Aerino, Patriarch Demetrius 35 |
| Zagorá | Monday 19/10/2026 | 17:30 | Project Z Hall |
The program is being updated gradually as the dates and venues are finalized.
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 18:00
Café Enjoy Classic, Elassona, Drachmi 3
The first RIS3 Innovation Café takes place in Elassona, marking the start of a series of local meetings across Thessaly.
Businesses, producers, local authorities and representatives of the region will have the opportunity to discuss issues that directly concern them, to highlight needs and opportunities, and to contribute to the formulation of potential solutions, collaborations and next steps.
Come and share your own perspective on the needs and opportunities of the region.
The RIS3 Innovation Cafés are aimed at people and organizations that are active or interested in developing the region, such as:
No prior knowledge of RIS3 is required.
What matters most is the experience from the region, knowledge of the real needs, and a willingness for meaningful dialogue and cooperation.
What are the main issues that concern the region today?;
What approaches can help in addressing them?;
Which people and organizations can be connected and collaborate?;
Which specific actions are worth pursuing?;
Through the Innovation Cafés, participants can get to know better the tools and capabilities offered by RIS3 Thessaly.
Through the website and the e-Hub you can find out about activities, projects, opportunities, educational material, research profiles, and how to connect with the innovation ecosystem of Thessaly.
Be the first to find out about all the actions of RIS3 Thessaly.
