Nikos Chardalias, the regional governor of Attica, has signed inclusion decisions for 11 new projects to construct, upgrade and improve municipal sports facilities across ten municipalities, with a combined public budget of 15.54 million euros.
The projects fall under a call for proposals within the Regional Development Programme (PPA) of Attica 2026-2030, which is funded through the national strand of the Public Investment Development Programme (APDE).
How the funding is structured
The ten municipalities benefiting are Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Agia Varvara, Aigaleo, Ilion, Kallithea, Lavreotiki, Papagou-Cholargos, Petroupoli, Saronikos and Chaidari. Each will upgrade and equip sports facilities to improve the quality of services offered to residents.
The work covers a wide range of needs: construction of new facilities, reconstruction of pitches and track venues, replacement of playing surfaces, upgrades to locker rooms, sanitary facilities and electromechanical infrastructure, installation of modern lighting, supply of sports equipment, and the installation of air-supported domes.
Chardalias on safety and accessibility
Chardalias said every one of the projects has its own distinct footprint, with some creating new sports facilities and others restoring existing infrastructure used daily by athletes, clubs, schools, children and citizens of all ages. He said the common denominator across all the works is safety, functionality, accessibility and energy efficiency, so municipalities can offer better and higher-quality services to everyone.
He said the regional authority has prioritised upgrading first-tier local government sports infrastructure from the outset, since these facilities are a basic part of daily life in Attica's neighbourhoods, where children train, sports clubs operate, and mass participation sport is supported. Through close cooperation with municipal authorities, he said, the region identifies priorities and secures funding for mature interventions with a clear social benefit, aiming to turn every available euro into a project with a measurable result for residents.
Referring to the 2021-2027 European Structural and Investment Funds programme, Chardalias noted that within two and a half years Attica had risen from eighth to first place nationally in the absorption of European funds among 22 regional and sectoral programmes. He said that ranking only has real value when resources are quickly and effectively converted into projects that reach every neighbourhood, and that consistency, close cooperation and systematic monitoring are now needed so the 11 new projects can be delivered as soon as possible and as safely as possible.
Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Agia Varvara and Aigaleo
In Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, a 1.5 million euro project will supply equipment for sports venues including two Kamatero schools, sites near the old Agioi Anargyroi town hall, two primary schools, indoor gyms in both towns, a learning pool and an open football pitch. Mayor Stavros Tsirmpas said residents deserve modern, safe and quality sports facilities, and thanked Chardalias for the region's support.
Agia Varvara will use 5 million euros to build a new indoor bioclimatic training pool with a five-lane tank on a 1,458.54 square metre plot, including locker rooms, a medical office, a cafeteria and administrative space. Mayor Lambros Michos called it an important project in the heart of the city and said projects like it help ease the environmental inequalities long faced by western Athens.
Aigaleo will receive 1.7 million euros to reconstruct the open sports facilities at the Eva Christodoulou municipal athletic centre and Aigaleo Grove, covering 13,500 square metres. Mayor Lambros Sklavounos said the upgrade would create modern, safe and functional spaces for athletes, clubs and the local community.
Ilion and Kallithea stadiums
Ilion's 2.2 million euro project will fully modernise the municipal stadium inside Antonis Tritsis park, with a new 6,200 square metre synthetic pitch, a 5,200 square metre track surface, LED lighting, repaired stands and upgraded drainage. Mayor Andriana Alevizou said the project answers a years-long need and moves from design into action.
Kallithea will spend 659,680 euros on a new certified synthetic track surface of about 4,600 square metres at the Grigoris Lambrakis municipal stadium, along with new long-jump equipment and track curbs. Mayor Kostas Askounis said the stadium's importance has grown as track facilities in the area have become scarce.
Lavreotiki's two projects
Lavreotiki secured two grants: 449,999 euros to replace the synthetic turf at the Giorgos Rafias pitch, including new dugouts and a drainage and irrigation system, and 492,503 euros to install an air-supported dome over sports facilities in Keratea. Mayor Dimitris Loukas said the new turf ensures a modern, safe playing surface in Lavrio, while the dome at the Ioannis Mengoulis indoor gym in Keratea guarantees year-round use regardless of weather.
Papagou-Cholargos, Petroupoli and Saronikos
Papagou-Cholargos will spend 534,000 euros on a prefabricated above-ground pool at least 20 by 12.50 by 1.35 metres, with five lanes, locker rooms for athletes and people with disabilities, and heat-pump water heating. Mayor Ilias Apostolopoulos said the project strengthens sports infrastructure for the municipality's active sports community.
Petroupoli will use 419,368 euros to install 7,600 square metres of new synthetic turf at the Alkyones pitch. Mayor Vangelis Simou said the project matters because it concerns children's sport in safe facilities, and that similar projects at other venues would follow.
Saronikos will receive 682,000 euros to upgrade the Vasilis Trochidis pitch in Anavyssos and the Palaia Fokaia facility, including safety netting, a jumping pit, a tartan runway, a 100-seat stand, and LED lighting. Mayor Dimitris Papachristou said the two pitches would be delivered in a way worthy of their clubs' history.
Chaidari's 1.9 million euro plan
Chaidari will use 1.9 million euros for maintenance and energy upgrades to its municipal swimming pool and football pitch, plus an air-supported dome over a school courtyard exercise area. Mayor Michalis Selekos said the works answer longstanding requests now moving into implementation with the region's funding.
