The kick-off meeting of the European LIFE HERMES project, in which PEDMEDE participates as a project partner, took place in Athens on 3–4 September 2026.
During the first day of the meeting, the project partners presented their respective roles and contributions, exchanged views on the project’s key priorities, and discussed the implementation framework, planned activities and next steps.
The HERMES project aims to make the residential renovation process significantly easier and more accessible by providing homeowners with a single point of contact and support throughout the entire renovation journey. This support will cover all key stages, from the initial technical assessment and permitting procedures to the selection of qualified professionals, access to financing, implementation of renovation works and quality assurance. By offering coordinated support throughout the process, the project seeks to address the complexity that often discourages homeowners from undertaking renovation projects and to provide them with clearer, more reliable and better integrated guidance.
As part of the project, three pilot One-Stop Shops will be established in Athens, Trikala and Kalamata. These will combine local, in-person support with digital services, creating a model that can be further replicated and scaled up across Greece and potentially in other European cities.
The second day of the meeting included the project’s first Peer-to-Peer Learning Event, entitled “Building Effective One-Stop Shops for Residential Buildings in Greece”. Representatives of municipalities, public authorities, property owners’ organisations and European projects exchanged experiences and good practices on the design and operation of effective One-Stop Shops, with particular emphasis on the real needs of homeowners throughout the renovation process.
In this context, PEDMEDE’s participation will help strengthen the link between the project and the construction sector, ensuring that the proposed solutions reflect the practical realities of the renovation market. Drawing on its experience, technical expertise and professional network, PEDMEDE will contribute to the development of a reliable and practical support model that takes into account both homeowners’ needs and the technical and operational requirements of the renovation process.
Stay tuned for the next steps and upcoming activities of LIFE HERMES!
