The Municipality of Spata–Artemida is submitting a proposal to the Green Fund for the regeneration of Xenophon Square in Spata, with a budget of 519,928.18 euros. €389,946.14 (75 per cent) is being sought from the ‘Environmental Balance 2025–2026’ programme, whilst the remaining €129,982.04 will be covered by the municipality’s own resources. The Municipal Committee unanimously approved the submission at its meeting on Tuesday 20 October, and the decision was published on the ‘Diafania’ transparency portal on Friday 30 October.
What the study predicts
Study 152/2026 by the Technical Department, dated 9 October, describes a comprehensive regeneration project rather than mere maintenance:
- redesigning the square on two levels to eliminate its current slope;
- replacing the playground flooring with new, uniform safety surfacing that allows water to pass through (permeable), as required by the Green Fund’s specifications;
- more equipment in the playground;
- new flowerbeds and planting, with the irrigation system upgraded;
- new street furniture (benches, litter bins, etc.) and additional street lighting.
The decision does not specify a timetable for the works or how long the square will remain closed. These details will be set out in the tender notice, provided the proposal is approved.
Why 75 per cent and not 100 per cent?
The Green Fund’s call for proposals (ref. no. 5693/15-07-2025) is addressed to all municipalities across the country and comprises two measures: comprehensive regeneration of public spaces, the façades of municipal buildings and school playgrounds, and the completion of town planning. Each municipality is allocated a maximum amount based on its population as recorded in the 2021 census. For the Municipality of Spata–Artemida, the amount is 458,541 euros.
The scheme covers 100 per cent of the costs only for ‘purely green’ interventions, i.e. planting and natural solutions that do not involve construction work. A regeneration project involving paving, equipment and street lighting is funded at 75 per cent. For this reason, the Council undertakes to cover the remaining 25 per cent and any additional costs arising from the tender process.
The call for tenders requires a final design that has already been approved, along with all the necessary permits. The design for the square was drawn up on 9 October and submitted to the Municipal Committee eleven days later.
What does this mean for the neighbourhood?
For parents who use the playground, the two changes that matter most are those listed first in the study: the ground will be levelled and the flooring beneath the play equipment will be replaced with new flooring, in line with current safety standards. If the proposal is approved, a tender process, contract and construction work will follow. Given the usual timelines for public works, the regeneration will not begin within the next few months.
Submitting a proposal does not guarantee funding. The Green Fund assesses the proposals and issues a decision on eligibility. iartemida will monitor its progress.
Source: Municipality of Spata–Artemida, Municipal Committee Decision 653/2026 (meeting of 20 October 2026), Diafania 30 October 2026; Technical Services study 152/2026.
