This document summarizes information about the Crete Region in Greece following local government reforms. It provides an overview of the region's administration structure, population statistics, economic sectors, key rural development issues and policies, and existing projects. The presentation aims to identify opportunities to improve rural development policies in Crete through the use of geographical information systems and by sharing good practices with other European regions.

1. Launching conference
Toulouse, 9th of February 2012

2. Presentation of Crete Region
Yiannis Polychronakis MSc MEng

3. Crete Region at a glance
‘Kallikratis’ Project: Local
Administration Reform
Main Goal: downsizing the
local administration &
decentralisation of
Public Authorities
Key Facts: 76 Prefectures of
the country were replaced
by 13 larger regions of
administration
Crete Region
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4. Crete Region at a glance
Crete Region and ‘Kallikratis Project’
Prefecture of Chania
Prefecture of Prefecture of
Rethymno Heraklion Prefecture of
Lassithi
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5. Crete Region at a glance
Organisation Structure
Board
Board members
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6. Crete Region at a glance
Programme Management, Environment and
Infrastructure
Sub-departments
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7. Crete Region at a glance
Internal Affairs
 Sub-departments
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8. Crete Region at a glance
Agricultural & Rural Economy and Veterinary
 Sub-departments
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9. Crete Region at a glance
Development
 Sub-departments
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10. Crete Region at a glance
Transportation & Communications
 Sub-departments
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11. Crete Region at a glance
Legal Department
 Sub-departments
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12. Region of Crete at a glance
Population (inhabitants) 621,340
Surface area (km2) 8,336 km2 (6,3% of
Greece)
Density (inhabit/ km2) 74.5/km2
% rural population 23.42%
GNP per capita 21,157 (>21,087 of Greece)
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13. Region of Crete in Statistics
GNP per Economy Sector
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14. The most important issues/ stakes
in the region/ country regarding rural
development
1. declining and aging population
3. poor local economy, no access to funding
5. lack of innovation and of basic infrastructure
increase cost of products (transportation costs –ferries
costs-)
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15. Existing policies regarding rural
development
1. Strategic Planning of the agricultural sector of the Region of
Crete
2. Policies to highlight and promote the tangible (products –
olive oil, Cretan Cheese-, natural environment, untouched
and rural areas) and intangible assets (i.e. Cretan hospitality)
of our region.
3. Traditional festivals and cultural events
4. European funded projects for the rural development
(walking paths, signs, restoration of high-quality and
importance buildings –ancient churches, monuments etc.-)
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16. Shepherds and Cheese
Festival every year

17. Activities/ projects already
implemented in rural development
1. Strategic Planning of the agricultural sector of the Region of
Crete
2. Policies to highlight and promote the tangible (products –
olive oil, Cretan Cheese-, natural environment, untouched
and rural areas) and intangible assets (i.e. Cretan hospitality)
of our region.
3. Traditional festivals and cultural events
4. European funded projects for the rural development
(walking paths, signs, restoration of high-quality and
importance buildings –ancient churches, monuments etc.-)
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18. Agri- food sector in RoC:
Towards Handling drawbacks , highlighting advantages
• Gradual reduction of employment in  Central location in the
primary sector
Mediterranean Region
• Lack of infrastructure services,
Information Technology -  Ideal conditions for development
of organic agriculture and
Communication Technology (ICT)
livestock
• Significant delay at the level of
education of the local population in  Areas of particular environmental
and aesthetic value
relation to the European standard
• Unilateral dependence on tourism in  Existence of crops directly
associated with the history and
the north of the island, with
cultural identity of the Region
consequent problems (pollution,
water abstraction, changes in the
physical environment, etc.)  Great potential for development
of alternative
• Absence of determining land use tourism and agro tourism

19. RoC in GRISI PLUS and its
expectations
1. Identify geomatics good practices in economic
development policies of rural territories within partner
regions and try to initiate them in RoC.
2. Improve the effectiveness, modernise and enrich
public rural development policies in RoC by
increasing the use of geographical information and
geomatics tools.
3. Improve the EU regional development and promote
policies and good practices that will improve the
quality of peoples living especially those living in the
rural areas.
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20. The good practice to transfer to
other regions (if any)
N/A
Currently there is no existing good practice to transfer in
regards to geomatics and the use of geographical
information.
However, the need has already been acknowledged and
the good practices that will come out are expected to
be more than welcomed.
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