Elafonisos 2025 Eco Week is about to land to boost Blue Opportunities.

M Abti
Apr 13, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Apr 28, 2025

A whole Greek island is involved in an ambitious and innovative environmental project by the will of a clever entrepreneur, based in Monaco. MONACŒCOART® had the pleasure to include Enrico Toja, President of Elafonisos ECO, among the Ambassadors of Sustainability (note: see the one-to-one interview in the "Interviews and Highlights Section). The Association aims at encouraging Sustainable Development in its three aspects: social, economic and environmental, not forgetting the cultural heritage of the local community. For some years, a unique three-day event has been organised on the island territory in the heart of the Peloponnese. The Elafonisos 2025 Eco Week, focused on Sustainability, Ocean Protection and Innovation, is about to start, being held in Elafonisos from the 14th to the 16th April 2025.

The Sovereign Prince of Monaco has confirmed His presence for the second time since its creation, to reiterate His support and appreciation for the initiative. A team of international experts, policy makers, scientists and community leaders, including distinguished figures of the Greek Government, as well as local authorities and international organisations, will animate a series of workshops, conferences, exhibitions and field activities with the aim to propose solutions and encourage new cross-sectorial collaborations.

Waste and Water Management, Blue Opportunities (i.e.: Ocean Protection, Invasive Species Management, Fighting against Plastic Pollution, etc.) and Sustainable Tourism, will be some of the key themes to be addressed.

Photo >> The Elafonisos Eco Community led by Enrico Toja, President of the Association (in the centre of the photo) © Elafonisos Eco

Transforming the island of Elafonisos into a "Living Laboratory of Invasive Species in the Mediterranean” is the target, with special focus on Lionfish, an invasive tropical species that is rapidly invading the Mediterranean Basin putting the endemic biological balance at risk. The various themes will be tackled through a multidisciplinary dialogue balancing science, policy and economy.

Particular attention will be paid to develop nature-based solutions able to turn the invasion of exotic species into a business opportunity, through the use of Lionfish as an ingredient both in food catering and in the distribution sector, together with a potential development of handicrafts, like jewellery and bio products. Supported by an adequate communication and consumer information campaigns, the project could create a significant driver of the Blue Economy.

The Meeting will also debate about creating a due regulatory framework to manage invasive species in Greece and across the European Union; building up a scientific data-base to detect key Lionfish's habits like migratory routes, breeding rates, their typical diet and much more; promoting effective marketing and awareness projects as well as fostering a closer relationship with policymakers and other stakeholders.

The organisers of the Elafonisos 2025 Eco Week are looking for raising awareness on the importance of Blue Economy in supporting Mediterranean island and coastal communities through a coordinated action among major social, economic and political actors together with the private sector and communication operators.

The outcome is going to lay the foundations to the incoming participation of Elafonisos Eco to the international Our Ocean Conference, which will be held in Busan (Republic of Korea) from the 28th to the 30th April 2025, under the theme 'Our Ocean, Our Action' aimed at acting globally for a sustainable ocean. The event will also set up the discussion points that will be taken forward within the Monaco Blue Economy and Financial Forum on the 7th and 8th June, and the United Nations Ocean Conference set in Nice from the 9th to the 13th June. ***

MONACŒCOART® One-to-One Interviews: Enrico Toja, President of Elafonisos ECO at 2024 Monaco Ocean Week.

Enrico Toja, President of Elafonisos ECO: When ecology marks the social and economic evolution of a whole Greek island.

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By Maurice Abbati

Journalist; Editor; Communication, Media and Public Relations Specialist
Lecturer and Author in English language of Technical Articles and the Manual: "Communicating the Environment to Save the Planet, a Journey into Eco-Communication" by Springer International Publishing.