A new model of cooperation between the academic community and local government has been launched by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and the Regional Union of Municipalities of Central Macedonia (PEDKM), with the establishment of the first endowed chair dedicated to “Local Government.”

The relevant Memorandum of Cooperation was signed on Tuesday, July 14, at the Senate Hall of AUTH by the university’s Rector, Professor Kyriakos Anastasiadis, and the President of PED Central Macedonia and Mayor of Pylaia-Chortiatis, Ignatios Kaitezidis.

The new endowed chair will operate within the Department of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering at the Polytechnic School, with the aim of becoming a permanent institution linking academic knowledge with the needs of municipalities and local communities.

Its activities will focus on research, teaching, training and scientific documentation on issues related to local government, spatial governance, and local and regional development.

According to the initiative’s founders, the new structure aims to function as a hub for knowledge and dialogue, providing scientifically supported policy proposals while strengthening the administrative and technical capacity of local authorities. It will also develop innovative tools in the fields of spatial planning, digital governance and sustainable development.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the training of local government officials. The chair will organise educational programmes for elected representatives and municipal staff, support the creation of new educational and postgraduate programmes, and contribute to research projects and scientific studies.

At the same time, students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience through real-world applications in public administration and development planning.

The chair’s work will be interdisciplinary, covering areas such as spatial planning and urban development, public administration, local and regional growth, urban and environmental policy, social cohesion, resilience of local communities, as well as the use of geospatial data and modern digital technologies in decision-making.

AUTH Rector Kyriakos Anastasiadis described the establishment of the chair as a strategic initiative that strengthens the connection between university knowledge and society’s real needs. He noted that cooperation with PED Central Macedonia creates a permanent mechanism for producing knowledge and innovation, offering scientifically grounded solutions to municipalities, supporting the education of young scientists and contributing to the development of modern public policies.

For his part, PED Central Macedonia President Ignatios Kaitezidis stressed that modern local government is no longer limited to addressing everyday issues such as cleanliness and infrastructure projects, but is increasingly required to respond to complex challenges related to development, social cohesion and citizens’ quality of life.

He said that cooperation with Aristotle University is expected to provide the scientific support needed for municipalities to respond more effectively to their expanded role.

Representatives from PED Central Macedonia and AUTH administration attended the signing ceremony, including Vice Rectors Nikolaos Maggiros and Iakovos Michailidis, member of the University’s Administration Council and Professor at the Department of Spatial Planning and Development Engineering Efstratios Stylianidis, as well as the department’s President, Professor Nikolas Karanikolas.

The establishment of the first endowed chair on “Local Government” at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki aims to strengthen cooperation between academia and local authorities, creating a permanent channel for the transfer of expertise and the development of applied research for the benefit of local governance and citizens.