17.3
University of Thessaly
Sustainable Development Goals Report
Academic Year 2023–2024
UN Academic Impact Member
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings Participant
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Introduction
The University of Thessaly (UTH) is a multi-campus public university in central Greece, with eight schools and more than 30 departments spanning health sciences, engineering, agrifood, social sciences, humanities and education. Its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan and dedicated Sustainable Development Plan explicitly place the UN 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at the heart of institutional development, committing the University to integrate sustainability into governance, teaching, research and campus operations. UTH has joined the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative and participates in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, demonstrating its alignment with global sustainability goals and its willingness to be transparently assessed on SDG performance.
To steer and coordinate this agenda, UTH has created a body of SDG Ambassadors drawn from academic staff across all schools, an Accessibility Unit for students with disabilities, a Centre for Children’s Rights in cooperation with UNICEF, a Gender Equality Plan and related committees, and specialised innovation structures such as One Planet Thessaly and the University Research Committee. Within numerous Horizon Europe, COST, LIFE+ Erasmus+, Interreg and National projects, UTH acts as a hub connecting regional stakeholders in Thessaly with European and global partners. This report highlights contributions across research, operations, student learning, and community engagement for each SDG.
SDG 1 – No Poverty
UTH tackles student poverty and social vulnerability primarily through strong welfare services. Student Meals, Accommodation and Healthcare are centrally organised and heavily subsidised, ensuring that low-income and disadvantaged students can access healthy food, safe housing and basic health services during their studies. A free student feeding programme explicitly targets students facing financial hardship, while counselling, volunteering and childcare services support broader aspects of student well-being and family responsibilities.
Several departments contribute indirectly to SDG1 through teaching and outreach on economic inclusion, fair consumption and regional development. An internal mapping of SDG1-related actions for 2023–24 documents activities in departments such as Electrical & Computer Engineering, Planning and Regional Development, Digital Systems, Culture and Creative Industries, and Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, including workshops on innovation and entrepreneurship, social economy initiatives, and awareness-raising on inequalities.
Through the One Planet Thessaly Innovation, Technology Transfer Unit and Entrepreneurship Center and the Center for European Projects, UTH also helps students, researchers and local stakeholders access European funding, design start-ups and social enterprises, and build capacity in project development—creating jobs and inclusive growth pathways in Thessaly and beyond.
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
The School of Agricultural Sciences is central to UTH’s contribution to food security and sustainable agriculture. Its programmes cover crop production, animal science, soil science and agrifood economics, offering both theoretical and practical training in sustainable farming, climate-resilient agriculture and responsible use of inputs in a region that is one of Greece’s main agricultural hubs.
The Horticultural and Soil Resources Laboratory (HORTLAB) promotes sustainable cultivation practices, precision agriculture and innovative tree-crop systems. It explicitly situates its mission within sustainable development and the circular economy, focusing on sustainable fertilisation, soil health, and the development of high-value horticultural systems, while providing advisory and analytical services to farmers and producer organisations in Thessaly.
At European level, UTH participates in NEXOGENESIS, which uses advanced modelling and AI to design integrated water–energy–food–ecosystem policies. In the Nestos River Basin case study, led by UTH, the project explores how to balance irrigation needs, agricultural productivity and ecosystem protection—directly informing strategies that secure food production while safeguarding water resources and biodiversity under climate stress.
SDG 3 – Good Health & Well-Being
The School of Health Sciences and the Medical School, closely linked to the University Hospital of Larissa, provide high-quality healthcare services to the wider Thessaly region while training doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other health professionals. Their activities include clinical services, public health interventions, and specialised programmes in areas such as nutrition and well-being, aligning with SDG3’s focus on universal access to health services and disease prevention.
UTH hosts a wide spectrum of outreach actions on physical and mental health. These include the E.M.BR.A.C.E. campaign on breast cancer awareness led by Nursing laboratories, mental health initiatives like “Composing the Puzzle of Mental Health” in collaboration with local mental-health networks, and autism awareness events using virtual reality to help citizens experience sensory overload and understand the challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum. Public health research projects on the impacts of the extreme weather events “Daniel” and “Elias” address post-disaster risks to water, sanitation and health services in Thessaly.
Innovation in health is further catalysed through events such as the InnoHealth Forum 2024 and its hackathon, where UTH students and researchers co-develop digital and biomedical solutions with start-ups, hospitals and companies, and through large EU projects like ARSINOE, where health risks and resilience to climate-induced disasters are a key dimension of regional adaptation strategies.
SDG 4 – Quality Education
Quality education is at the core of UTH’s mission as a comprehensive public university. Its Strategic Plan and Sustainable Development Plan explicitly commit to integrating the SDGs into curricula, research and institutional culture, and UTH participates in the THE Impact Rankings across multiple SDG categories, including Quality Education. The INVEST European University Alliance further supports curriculum innovation, flexible learning pathways and challenge-based education in sustainability.
Inclusive and equitable education is reinforced by specialised structures and programmes. UTH offers strong programmes in Special Education and runs the Accessibility Unit (Prosvasi) to support students with disabilities and special educational needs through assistive technology, personalised learning support and training for academic staff. The UNESCO–UNICEF-backed Centre for Children’s Rights in Volos operates as a hub of research, training and policy work on children’s rights, inclusive education and protection, generating data and recommendations for ministries and regional authorities.
Academic staff contribute significantly to SDG4 through innovative teaching and public engagement: the SDG4 actions mapping highlights activities such as science-festival workshops on brain functioning, film and podcast series on disability and inclusion, contributions to national strategies on special education, and teacher-training initiatives. The Jean Monnet Chair on EU Climate and Energy Policies and the Eastern Mediterranean embeds SDG topics into economics and international relations curricula and has organised a dedicated presentation of the 17 SDGs within a course on international economic organisations and climate change.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
UTH has adopted an Institutional Gender Equality Plan prepared by its Gender Equality Committee, setting out concrete measures to combat discrimination, prevent harassment and bullying, and promote balanced representation in decision-making bodies and academic leadership. The Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee, listed among UTH’s central support structures, provides guidance, training and mechanisms for reporting and addressing gender-based violence and discrimination.
The University promotes women’s health and empowerment through targeted outreach, including the E.M.BR.A.C.E. breast cancer awareness action coordinated by Nursing laboratories and community nursing units, and events on the historic and contemporary contribution of Greek women farmers to the development of Thessaly, organised with the Region of Thessaly and agrifood departments. These initiatives combine scientific information with community engagement, encouraging early screening, health literacy and recognition of women’s economic roles.
Gender dimensions are increasingly integrated into teaching and research across disciplines, from education and social sciences to agriculture and engineering. UTH leadership and faculty participate in national and international fora on women in leadership, gender and climate policy, and gender-responsive innovation systems, aligning the University’s agenda with broader European discussions on gender equality in research and higher education.(laspidou.com)
SDG 6 – Clean Water & Sanitation
Water and sanitation are long-standing strengths at UTH. The Department of Civil Engineering and the School of Agricultural Sciences offer courses and research on hydrology, water supply, irrigation, wastewater treatment and aquatic ecosystems, often with a focus on drought-prone and flood-affected areas of Thessaly.
In the Horizon 2020 project NEXOGENESIS, UTH leads the Nestos River Basin case study, applying advanced system dynamics, AI and optimisation tools to explore water–energy–food–ecosystem interactions and to design policies that promote efficient water use, reduce pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems. Experimental fisheries and oceanographic monitoring in the Pagasitikos Gulf, combined with the work of the Oceanography Laboratory and collaboration with fishers and regional authorities, support improved water quality management and sustainable use of marine resources.(agrtec.uth.gr)
UTH is also deeply involved in climate adaptation projects that address water security and flood risk—such as ARSINOE and NATALIE—where nature-based solutions, improved sanitation infrastructure and better early-warning systems are tested in regional case studies that speak directly to SDG6 and SDG13.
SDG 7 – Affordable & Clean Energy
Through its engineering departments, UTH contributes to research and education on low-carbon energy systems, energy efficiency and renewable integration. Topics such as energy performance of buildings, smart grids, and climate-neutral energy systems are addressed in teaching and research, and UTH faculty engage in national debates on energy and climate policy, exemplified by participation in conferences like PROMITHEASnet 2025 on sustainability and the SDGs.(laspidou.com)
NEXOGENESIS and NEXUSNET explicitly include energy as a core component of the water–energy–food nexus, aiming to deliver integrated policies for decarbonisation while maintaining water and food security. The results support decision-makers in designing energy strategies that consider cross-sectoral impacts and synergies, especially in regions vulnerable to climate change.
On the infrastructure side, new student housing projects and campus upgrades are planned and implemented with attention to energy efficiency, modern heating and cooling systems, and sustainable construction—often supported by international financial institutions and national programmes.(EBRD)
SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth
UTH underpins decent work and economic growth through high-quality, labour-market-relevant education across its schools, and via strong links with employers. Departments organise career days, internship schemes and targeted events—for example, the Department of Animal Production’s events on connecting graduates with the labour market—to ensure smooth school-to-work transitions.
One Planet Thessaly, UTH’s innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship centre, supports students and researchers in developing entrepreneurial skills, creating spin-offs, and engaging with industry, clusters and public authorities. It co-organises innovation events such as the InnoHealth Forum 2024 and its hackathon, where multidisciplinary teams design digital health solutions with commercial potential, and the ARSINOE final conference high-level panel on climate adaptation and markets.
As part of the INVEST European University Alliance, UTH promotes entrepreneurship and regional innovation through joint courses, mobility opportunities and challenge-based projects, contributing to smart specialisation and sustainable economic growth in partner regions.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Innovation is a defining characteristic of UTH’s strategy and governance. The University’s Action Plan and Strategic Vision emphasise research and innovation, technology transfer, and digital transformation as pillars for regional development. This is operationalised through structures such as One Planet Thessaly that provides expert support in project development, IP management, consortia building and exploitation strategies across Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and other programmes.
UTH coordinates and participates in several major European projects at the interface of innovation and infrastructure: ARSINOE (climate-resilient regions), NEXOGENESIS (AI-enabled nexus policies), NEXUSNET (network on the water–energy–food nexus), and DiBluCa (Digital Blue Carrier for a Post-Carbon Future in aquaculture) all develop advanced digital tools, decision-support systems and innovative curricula that serve public authorities, industry and civil society.(ARSINOE Project) These projects frequently involve living labs and pilot applications in real-world infrastructure systems.
Infrastructure investments on UTH campuses—including new student residences and modernised facilities—are designed to be energy-efficient, accessible and digitally connected, aligning with SDG9’s emphasis on sustainable, resilient infrastructure that supports innovation and learning.(EBRD)
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
Reducing inequalities is a transversal theme in UTH’s policies and operations. Extensive student welfare services (meals, accommodation, healthcare, counselling) help mitigate socio-economic disparities among students, while targeted support is provided for refugees, migrants and other vulnerable groups through specialised educational actions and collaborations with public authorities and NGOs.
The Accessibility Unit (Prosvasi) ensures equal access for students with disabilities by removing physical, digital and pedagogical barriers, and by supporting staff training on inclusive teaching.(prosvasi.uth.gr) According to UTH’s official announcement, the University has also established a formal body of SDG Ambassadors—the only such structured body among Greek universities—composed of academic staff who advise the administration and mobilise faculties and students around the SDGs, thereby institutionalising inclusive SDG governance.
The Memorandum of Cooperation with UNICEF and the Centre for Children’s Rights further strengthen efforts to protect vulnerable children and youth, including refugees and migrants, by providing training, data and policy recommendations on child rights, inclusive education and protection. Volunteer initiatives—such as social support actions, autism awareness events using VR, and community campaigns—promote empathy, understanding and social inclusion across the wider community.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities & Communities
UTH plays a leading role in sustainable urban and regional development through its Departments of Planning and Regional Development, Architecture, Civil Engineering and related units. Teaching and research address urban resilience, land-use planning, housing, cultural heritage and risk-sensitive spatial planning, while the Sustainable Development Plan frames these efforts within the broader SDG agenda.
The University collaborates closely with municipalities and regional authorities on sustainable mobility and public space. Participatory urban mobility workshops and projects on active and green mobility—including initiatives such as university-supported e-bike schemes—promote low-carbon, inclusive transport in Thessalian cities. The ‘Layers of Permanence’ / ‘Layers of Performance’ design-build workshop, part of the Crafting Circularity project, explores the re-use of salvaged building elements and circular construction strategies in Volos, engaging students, international partners and local stakeholders.
Cultural and educational initiatives also support SDG11. The newly established Museum of Children’s and Adolescent Literature in Volos, initiated by faculty in Early Childhood Education and endorsed by the Senate, preserves literary archives, promotes research in children’s literature and provides a new cultural venue for schools, families and the wider community—strengthening the social and cultural fabric of the city.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption & Production
The School of Agricultural Sciences and laboratories such as HORTLAB advance sustainable production through research and education in sustainable horticulture, precision agriculture and soil management. HORTLAB’s mission explicitly includes sustainable development and the circular economy, focusing on sustainable fertilisation, plant nutrition and innovative orchard systems, and disseminating good practices through training and advisory services to farmers.
In architecture and construction, the ‘Layers of Permanence’ workshop, embedded in the Crafting Circularity project, introduces students to circular-economy principles—such as re-use, adaptive re-use and material harvesting—via hands-on design-build experiences. This fosters a new generation of architects familiar with sustainable construction practices and life-cycle thinking.
On the governance and labour side, UTH participates in the CERP project (Collective Bargaining and Environmental Responsibility), which examines how trade unions, employers and public authorities can align labour relations with environmental responsibility and the green transition, particularly in transport and public sectors (isp.org.pl) This work contributes to understanding how responsible production and consumption can be supported not only by technology but also by institutional arrangements and social dialogue.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
Climate action is one of UTH’s flagship areas. The University coordinates the Horizon 2020 project ARSINOE (Climate-resilient regions through systemic solutions and innovations), which develops systemic adaptation solutions in multiple European regions via living labs and advanced modelling.(ARSINOE Project) UTH also plays key roles in NEXOGENESIS (AI-enabled nexus policies), NATALIE (transformative nature-based solutions for climate resilience), NEXUSNET (COST network on the water–energy–food nexus), ENHANCE (One Health coastal management under climate change), and ENFORCE (citizen-science-based environmental enforcement), linking climate adaptation with water management, coastal protection and environmental governance.(Nexogenesis)
Findings from ARSINOE and related projects are disseminated through high-level policy dialogues and panels that bring together European Commission officials, UN representatives, research networks such as Water Europe and regional practitioners, emphasising the need to translate research into practical adaptation measures and markets.(oneplanet.uth.gr)
At the regional scale, UTH contributes to climate-risk assessment, emergency response and post-disaster recovery in Thessaly, for instance by assessing public health risks and environmental impacts after the catastrophic storms “Daniel” and “Elias”. These activities complement participation in conferences such as PROMITHEASnet 2025, where UTH leadership discusses the role of universities in advancing sustainability and the SDGs, including climate action, in Greece and southeast Europe.(ece.uth.gr)
SDG 14 – Life Below Water
The Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment and the Oceanography Laboratory anchor UTH’s contributions to SDG14. Their work covers marine ecology, fisheries management, aquaculture and coastal water quality in Pagasitikos Gulf and other aquatic systems, often in close collaboration with local fishers and regional authorities.(agrtec.uth.gr)
Through NEXOGENESIS, UTH contributes to integrated management of river basins that ultimately affect coastal ecosystems, while in ENHANCE it helps develop AI-based tools and citizen-science approaches for One Health coastal management, aiming to protect coastal ecosystems from eutrophication, climate impacts and other pressures.(Nexogenesis)
The DiBluCa Erasmus+ project, in which UTH plays a leading role, develops innovative curricula and digital learning tools for sustainable aquaculture under climate change, linking blue-economy skills with environmental stewardship.(BioMar) Combined with experimental trawl surveys and advisory work on best fishing practices, these initiatives support sustainable use and conservation of marine resources.
SDG 15 – Life on Land
UTH contributes to SDG15 through forestry, ecology, agronomy and veterinary sciences. The Department of Forestry, Wood Sciences and Design and related programmes focus on multifunctional forest management, bio-economy and ecosystem services, including a specialised MSc in Multifunctional Management of Natural Ecosystems and Bio-economy that integrates biodiversity conservation with sustainable land use.
Veterinary and life-science laboratories support wildlife conservation and human–wildlife coexistence. Through the LIFE project “Improving human–bear coexistence in four national parks of South Europe” and associated educational actions, the Microbiology & Parasitology Laboratory of the Veterinary Department engages students and local communities in understanding large carnivore ecology, zoonotic risks and the design of coexistence corridors and prevention measures.
Events on the historical contribution of Greek women farmers to Thessaly’s development, alongside HORTLAB’s work on sustainable orchards and agro-ecosystems, highlight the socio-ecological dimensions of rural landscapes.(agrtec.uth.gr) In EU projects like NATALIE, UTH also advances nature-based solutions in landscapes that simultaneously enhance climate resilience, preserve biodiversity and support rural livelihoods.(uwmh.eu)
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
Effective, accountable and rights-based institutions are promoted at UTH through transparent governance structures, internal regulations and a suite of policies on ethics, gender equality, anti-discrimination, bullying and harassment, and child protection, all publicly accessible via the University website. The Centre for Children’s Rights in Volos, established in cooperation with UNICEF, provides a dedicated institutional platform for research, training and advocacy on children’s rights and protection, feeding evidence into regional and national policy debates.
The Jean Monnet Chair on EU Climate and Energy Policies and the Eastern Mediterranean enhances understanding of EU institutions, international law and climate governance, with teaching and outreach activities on EU climate and energy policies, climate diplomacy and the SDGs—including a dedicated presentation of the 17 SDGs to students.(Τμήμα Οικονομικών Επιστημών)
UTH’s participation in projects like CERP and ENFORCE extends SDG16 work into social dialogue and environmental law enforcement. CERP examines how collective bargaining can integrate environmental responsibility in transport and public sectors, while ENFORCE develops living labs, toolkits and protocols that help citizens and authorities work together to enforce environmental regulations, using citizen-science data to support legal and policy processes.(isp.org.pl)
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
UTH’s SDG strategy is built on strong partnerships. Its membership in the United Nations Academic Impact network aligns the University with global principles on human rights, sustainability and global citizenship, and its internationalisation strategy emphasises Erasmus+ mobility, joint programmes and European alliances. The INVEST European University Alliance, in which UTH is a core partner, fosters long-term collaboration on regional sustainability and innovative education models across European regions.
Strategic partnerships with international organisations, notably UNICEF and UNESCO for children’s rights and education, and participation in a broad portfolio of EU-funded projects—ARSINOE, NEXOGENESIS, NATALIE, NEXUSNET, ENHANCE, ENFORCE, DiBluCa and many others—demonstrate UTH’s capacity to collaborate with universities, research institutes, NGOs, companies and public authorities across Europe and beyond to co-deliver SDG-relevant knowledge and solutions.
Finally, UTH’s leadership actively represents the University and the region of Thessaly in high-level dialogues—such as the ARSINOE final conference high-level panel and PROMITHEASnet 2025—helping to bridge local experiences with European and global policy processes and reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in advancing the SDGs.