Discussion Overview – ESG: The challenge facing the Greek economy

Πρόγραμμα εκδήλωσης
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Opening remarks

The seminar was launched by Mr. Gounaris, Senior Independent Director at the National Bank of Greece (NBG), who analyzed the three main pillars of ESG, that should be adopted by corporate administrations and especially by financial institutions. Mr. Gounaris, specifically, highlighted the climate change issue and stressed that the natural disasters could influence determinatively the financial system, if not proper measures are soon taken. He particularly quoted that “a global threat demands a global reaction”, while pointing out that “sustainability is the key to the post-COVID era”. He continued, mentioning that NBG has made significant progress in the field of ESG by prioritizing the environment and encouraging the funding of the green transition. Mr. Gounaris, referring to the “S” pillar in relation to the activities of NBG, spoke about diversity and inclusion, the protection of health and safety in the workplace and the truly social face of the institution. Finally, he mentioned, of course, the commitment of the National Bank of Greece to adopt principles that ensure a high level of corporate governance and policies/practices that establish standards of reliable professional conduct and business ethics.

Panel 1: “Adaptation of ESG criteria: the regulatory framework & the European and Domestic trends and future outlines”

Amongst the speakers of the first panel, were Mr. Gortsos, Professor of Public Economic Law at the Law School (NKUA), Visiting Lecturer at the European Institute of the University of Zurich and President of the Academic Board of the EBI and Mr. Kontaroudis, First Vice Chairman at the Hellenic Capital Market Commission.
Professor Gortsos elaborated on the legal framework that surrounds the ESG criteria and stressed that compliance with it should become a culture and not just an obligation. Furthermore, he insisted on the necessity for actual change of the mentality of the corporate governance, as well as on the lurking danger of the businesses operating actively outside of the European borders, because of the excessively strict framework the European market has chosen to follow. He concluded by expressing his pessimism for the future outcome of the ESG issues, due to the structural challenges that we will face.
Mr. Kontaroudis expanded on the role of the capital market commission, concerning the adoption of the ESG criteria by businesses, and presented rigorously the legal updates from 2018 to 2023. Thus, he highlighted several regulations, such as 4706/2020, that led to improved corporate governance related practices and also mentioned that the general shift of international investors has pushed the corporate field towards progress.

Panel 2: “ESG criteria and the transition of the European banking system”

The second panel consisted of Mr. Leftheris, Director of CIB Bus. Development & Support at the National Bank of Greece, Mr. Mantzoufas, Governor of the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) and Mr. Chabesis, Head of the Sustainability Unit at the Hellenic Bank Association. The speakers referred to the way in which ESG criteria are involved in the funding process, as well as to the structure and progress of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
In his speech, Mr. Leftheris referred to the way in which ESG criteria are taken into account and the practices followed in corporate finance. Initially, he laid emphasis on the emerging danger of the green transition, which corporations confront by diversifying their revenue sources. He continued his speech by describing the process of evaluating a funding application and in particular the main pillars that are taken into account, such as the purpose and the repayment period of the funding. Finally, Mr. Leftheris pointed out that nowadays financial institutions do not reject the aforementioned applications but offer a margin in which the company is required to improve/ comply with certain guidelines in order to finally receive the funding.
Mr. Mantzoufas explained in detail the role of the RRF and the progress that has been made since its establishment. The Fund, as he pointed out, consists of €30.5 billion of European funds, of which €17.8 billion are grants and €12.7 billion are loans. In addition, the minimum goals of the RRF expect the 38% of these capitals to be used exclusively for climate issues and another 20% for digitalisation. Regarding the loan part of the fund, investments will be selected exclusively by commercial banks or European institutions and maximum co-finance will be up to 50% of the amount of the financing. He then moved on to the four main pillars of the Fund, which are green transition and digital transformation, employment, extroversion, and finally research and development. Specifically, for the green transition, he analysed the factors that place an investment under this pillar, such as the contribution of expenditure to climate change mitigation according to the EU Taxonomy, energy savings and green energy production, factors that are monitored by a competent control body. Mr. Mantzoufas concluded his speech by referring to the existence of an appropriate context for investors to engage in sustainable investments and the importance of respecting the principle of no significant harm in all projects.
In his speech, Mr. Chabesis referred to the regulatory framework, the climate and the culture that exists around the ESG pillars in Greece and internationally. The wider conception that is now called “ESG” derives from a report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). This report presents the course of the climate change with a negative milestone of a 1,5-degree Celsius increase in the average temperature of the Earth and proposes the ESG goals as solutions to prevent this scenario. To achieve these goals, leading to sustainable growth, a green transition of the companies is demanded. Mr. Chabesis described the existing situation in Greece, underlining that the aforementioned culture is already established in the banking system through the Corporate Social Responsibility program. This particular culture is bound to be adopted by businesses with significant environmental imprint. He concluded his speech, by highlighting the fact that the Greek banks and investors are ready to handle the green transition and its required funding.

Panel 3: “The challenge of corporate ESG transformation”

The third panel consisted of the following speakers: Mrs. Varfi, CEO at Velos Advisory, Mrs. Georgopoulou, Deputy Chief Listings Officer at ATHEX Group, Mr. Mountouris, Group HSE and Sustainable Development Division Manager at HELLENiQ ENERGY Holdings S.A, Mrs. Athoussaki, Head of ESG, Sustainability & Climate Change at Motor Oil Group and Mr. Tsakiris, Head of Energy Services at ZEB. During this panel, several opinions were discussed, around the challenges that companies face in their ESG transformation.
Mrs. Varfi, the moderator of the conversation, begun by mentioning that ESG is way more than an investment trend. It is a significant issue for the whole society and therefore, companies should comprehend and face the ESG-related commitments with the utmost seriousness. In addition, she highlighted that although the average ESG scores in Greece have improved significantly, they need to improve further to reach the European standards, with compliance, in terms of ESG, being a key factor of competitiveness and growth of the country.
Moving on, Mrs. Georgopoulou explained that the stock market, being placed at the centre of the capital market, takes ESG-related actions based on three main pillars. These include encouraging the flow of capital to the green economy, strengthening the dialogue between members of the investment ecosystem, and enhancing transparency and standardisation in terms of ESG reporting. Furthermore, she discussed about the importance of the stock market guide, and she elaborated on the interest of local institutional investors for the ESG data, that are now required for the reports inside their portfolio. Finally, Mrs. Georgopoulou underlined that in 2023 a platform, which can be used by both listed and unlisted companies, for ESG data is expected to be created in order to enhance the standardisation of the procedure.
Mr. Mountouris pointed out that the energy transition is a complicated attempt, especially for businesses that operate in the energy sector, as energy must be accessible to everyone and should be produced and consumed in a sustainable way. HELLENiQ ENERGY, he noted, is already moving towards this direction, by modifying its strategy and focusing on alternative energy sources. The main objective is the overall improvement of the energy sector, through the creation of renewable energy sources and alternative fuels. As a result, the company is committed to reducing its emissions by 2030 and becoming net-zero by 2050. The aforementioned strategy has received positive feedback from investors, who are keenly interested in emissions data. Concluding his speech, Mr. Mountouris reminded us that the timing for the energy transition is right.
Mrs. Athoussaki defined ESG as a culture that is never too late for companies to adopt. She particularly emphasized the investors’ and regulators’ great demands from energy companies and stressed the important need for state support, regarding the effort to adopt viable and sustainable standards and practices. Moreover, she rendered the energy companies in the centre of the crisis, as they are obliged to deal with the main part of the decarbonisation, making the transition through the ESG criteria and investments on renewable energy sources mandatory. She also described ESG as a set of policies, KPIs and  processes, which can remarkably benefit companies. She, finally, urged students to read and engage in depth with ESG, as it is a subject that encourages cooperation from different fields.
The discussion was concluded by Mr. Tsakiris. More specifically, Mr Tsakiris placed particular emphasis on the use of tools that contribute to the effective energy transition of each company. The role of ZEB is to support this transition, to define the position of each company and to set their short-term and long-term goals by offering the right set of advice. He in fact cited, that the technical faults should be found and solved, as the ESG is now concerning a broad audience and is partially mandatory, so that we all can move forward to improving the current situation. He in fact pointed out that the ESG is developing amongst the new generation and is directly linked with it.

Discussion: “Integration of ESG subjects in Greek universities' curriculums”

The event was brought to an end with a scientifically and academically interesting discussion, where Mrs. Apostolaki, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Executive Director at the Center of Excellence in Sustainability of the American College of Greece and Mr. Doukas, Associate Professor at NTUA participated.
Mrs. Apostolaki analyzed thoroughly the climate change problem and the constant change of the related data. She also brought attention to the constant change of the assessment rates as a result of the data change. In addition, she pointed out the need for a large amount of information and data in order for scientific findings to begin to cover a wide range of practices.
Mrs. Apostolaki, while quoting “Include the future into the present”, sparked a whole new conversation concerning the need to add new subjects in the curricula of Greek universities. This way, young scientists will be better prepared to face the challenges of the present, but especially and primarily the lurking challenges of the future. The environmental science is by itself a crisis-oriented science with a multifaced character that combines skills from different fields and is obligated to coordinate the protection of the environment with the social and economic sustainability.

Prof. Doukas moved on a thorough commentary on the existing development model. He stated that the economic growth, which is an exclusive goal, is not enough for the desirable progress. He also underlined the need for actual use and exploitation of ESG criteria, which can easily become a marketing tool and lose their protective role. Attempting to link pillar “E” and “G”, Mr. Doukas mentioned the importance of true transformation and model change consisting of good governance according to ESG criteria. He highlighted the need for a change of mindset as well as for transparency and accountability within companies with clear criteria for the remuneration and financial bonuses of prominent executives. Finally, Mr. Doukas noted, with clear references to the “S” pillar, that nothing “green” exists without also being “social” and strongly supported the empowerment of the community and individual production.

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Elisavet Dolopikou

Junior Associate

My name is Elisavet Dolopikou. I am a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), a postgraduate student in the LL.M. program in European Business and Economic Law at AUTh, and a trainee lawyer specializing in Commercial Law.

I joined the Get Involved team in September 2025, and since then, I have been an active member of both the Legal and Operations departments. For me, Get Involved is a hub of innovation and interdisciplinarity that provides the ideal environment for developing new skills. The fact that this is an initiative driven by young people with a shared vision for producing meaningful work was my primary motivation for joining.

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Chrisanthi Indouna

Junior Associate

My name is Chrisanthi Indouna, and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Management Science and Technology at the Athens University of Economics and Business. I joined Get Involved as a Junior Associate in September 2025. I am part of the Operations team, where I contribute, among other tasks, to the organization and coordination of the team’s initiatives. In May 2025, I attended the event “Sustainable Future IV: Beyond Green – Navigating the Future of Sustainability & Innovation”. I acquired valuable insights into sustainable development and its role in contemporary entrepreneurship.
My decision to join Get Involved was driven by my strong interest in youth initiatives and the team’s culture, which encourages creativity, collaboration, and active participation in innovative projects.
For me, Get Involved represents a unique opportunity to expand my knowledge in sustainability and finance. Its youthful spirit and the collaboration among people from different academic backgrounds, united by a shared vision, motivate me to actively engage in projects that have a meaningful impact.

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Evangelia Koutsougera

Junior Associate

I’m a Law student and since May 2025, I’ve been part of the Communications team at Get Involved. I’ve always been an outgoing person who enjoys working with others, so I immediately felt that this role suits me well. I’m really interested in sustainability, mainly because I feel like we’re the first generation truly experiencing the consequences of the environmental crisis. I believe that each of us can contribute to something better, in our own way. Through this team, I hope to learn, grow, and collaborate with people who share the same concerns and vision. I also hope to bring my own perspective and energy to everything we do.

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Konstantina Katsimicha

Junior Associate

My name is Konstantina Katsimicha, and I am an undergraduate student at the Department of Economics of the Athens University of Economics and Business.

In 2024, I participated in the 8th ECB Conference; an experience that significantly deepened my understanding of monetary policy, financial institutions, and the broader economic framework of the Εuro area.

In 2025, I joined Get Involved as a Junior Associate in both the Communications and Social Media Management teams. Through this role, I contribute to the promotion of our initiatives and help manage our online presence, while also developing valuable communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.

What inspired me to become part of Get Involved is the team’s vision and spirit to enhance economic literacy among young people and foster a space where ideas, knowledge, and skills can grow through collaboration. Being surrounded by passionate peers committed to impactful initiatives motivates me to learn, evolve, and contribute actively.

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Fay Panagakis

Junior Associate

My name is Fay Panagakis, and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Business Administration at the University of Piraeus. Joining Get Involved in February 2025, I am actively contributing to both the Communications and Operations departments.
I was eager to join the organization because of its strong commitment to empowering young people through initiatives that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and today’s challenges. Its focus on financial literacy, sustainable development, and fostering interdisciplinary learning aligns with my aspirations to make a positive societal impact.
Becoming part of this dynamic team offers me an invaluable opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects while growing both personally and professionally. I’m excited about what the future holds alongside like-minded individuals who share a passion for youth empowerment and societal change.

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George Sakkas

Junior Associate

My name is George Sakkas and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Accounting and Finance at the Athens University of Economics and Business. I joined the organization in March 2025 as a Junior Associate in the Social Media and Scientific teams, contributing to its activities through the perspective of financial literacy and sustainable economic development.

My involvement with Get Involved arose from my deep interest in the role that financial knowledge plays in modern society. My goal is to deepen my understanding of financial issues, enhance my skills in communication and strategic development, and actively contribute to the promotion of economic education.

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Angelina Arfani

Junior Associate

My name is Angelina Arfani, and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of the Peloponnese. I have joined the Get Involved team as a Junior Associate in the Operations and Communications departments, where I contribute to the efficient coordination of initiatives and assist in enhancing the organization’s outreach and engagement. 

I believe that Get Involved is an innovative initiative driven by individuals committed to creating meaningful change. Being part of this team has provided me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge, develop key skills, and showcase my abilities, all while collaborating with passionate individuals who share a common vision.

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Konstantina Triantafyllopoulou

Junior Associate

My name is Konstantina Triantafyllopoulou, and I am an undergraduate Political Science & Public Administration university student at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Also, I am currently enrolled in the American College of Greece, pursuing a minor in Human Resources Management.

I joined Get Involved in 2025 as a Junior Associate in the communications team, where I help by communicating with external partners and with the promotion of our initiatives. The key factors that motivated me to join were my ambition to engage within the community and broaden both my understanding and skills around finances, communication, entrepreneurship, and youth-led projects.

Being an active member of Get Involved highlights my keen enthusiasm for promoting financial literacy, actively engaging with the youth community, and embracing the core values of this team.

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Pavlos Tsiokas

Senior Associate

As a participant of the 1st ECB Simulation Conference, I had the opportunity to familiarize myself with concepts related to Central Banks, their objectives, and the exercise of monetary policy.
The reason I decided to join the Get Involved team stemmed from the fact that I strive for learning, especially in areas concerning economic literacy. I was drawn to the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share our shared culture and values.
As a new addition to the team, I am involved in drafting the Economic Term of the Week, which enjoys considerable success on Get Involved’s social media platforms. Furthermore, I am part of the team responsible for compiling the Study Guide, the pivotal manual for every delegate participating in the European Central Bank Simulation Conference.

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Lila Kartali

Senior Associate

My name is Lila Kartali and I am an undergraduate student in the Department of International and European Studies at the University of Piraeus. I joined the team in February 2024, and since then I have happily been part of the Corporate Communications, Social Media, External Opportunities, and Scientific team. The diversity of the topics I deal with in each department, as well as the collaboration and interaction with ambitious people, are a pleasant challenge for me.

For me, Get Involved is an opportunity to develop various skills and strengthen my knowledge background on sustainability and monetary policy issues. Moreover, the fact that it is a youth initiative, by people from different scientific fields collaborating for a common goal, is the reason why I want to be part of it.

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Iasonas Pavlakis

Senior Associate

As an active member of Get Involved’s Associates, I am part of engaging and continuously evolving projects centered on strengthening financial literacy among young people in Greece and Europe. Moreover, by combining my studies in computer science, I am an integral part of Get Involved’s ongoing digital transformation journey.

My contributions to Get Involved reflect my commitment to supporting its ultimate goal of social contribution and raising awareness of financial literacy issues among youth.

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Maria Anastasopoulou

Senior Associate

My name is Maria Anastasopoulou and I am an undergraduate student at the Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. My participation in Get Involved started in 2023, whereas now I am an Associate and a member of the Legal Team, where I help handle the group’s legal issues, prepare legal educational materials and represent the group in the ECB Simulation Conference. Additionally, I participate in the stream for Student and Youth Organizations, where I develop my communication skills by interacting with external partners and other youth initiatives. I am also a member of the Scientific Team and contribute to the structuring of the group’s studies, such as the “ESG & Sustainability Youth Perspectives”, while simultaneously developing my research and writing skills.

The drive behind my involvement with the team is the exceptional academic and research level of my colleagues and the passion for the field. The shared values of mutual respect, the desire for progress and innovation, and continuous new’ goal setting, motivate me to contribute and join in a common evolutionary path.

I am particularly grateful for my participation in Get Involved, as it provides me the opportunity to significantly broaden my economic and legal knowledge, delve further into areas of interest and collaborate with some of the most active and accomplished young people, from whom I learn daily.

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Apostolos Karasakalidis

Scientic Associate

Apostolos Karasakalidis has graduated from the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, is a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO), and works as a trainee lawyer in Thessaloniki having developed a special interest in Commercial Law.

He is an Associate at Get Involved since the summer of 2022 and a member of the legal team. He has participated in the writing and updating of the Study Guide for the 7th Simulation of the European Central Bank in which he also participated as a Central Banker. In addition, he oversees Get Involved’s compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the protection of its intellectual property.

Apostolos participates in Get Involved because he believes in the added value of cooperation among young scientists from different academic backgrounds. Furthermore, he is interested in the green transition of the EU economy and supports financial literacy’s expansion to young people.

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosser

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Vasiliki Koukoula

Senior Associate

I joined Get Involved in 2019, I have progressed to the role of Senior Associate, and I currently am a member of the Legal Team. My participation in the team has provided me with valuable opportunities, and experiences, and it has given me the chance to work with numerous active youths. I have taken part in various initiatives, such as the ECB Simulation Conferences, and have had multiple responsibilities, including developing educational materials and participating in the communications team. I appreciate Get Involved’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment that empowers young university students and professionals.

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Thanasis Dogramatzidis

Scientific Associate

Thanasis Dogramatzidis is an executive in the Financial Assets Management department at the Central Bank of Malta. Previously, he worked as a trader at the National Bank of Greece.

He holds an MSc in International and European Governance and Politics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens an MSc in Finance and Banking, and a BSc in Statistics, both from the Athens University of Economics and Business.

In 2024, Thanasis became a Scientific Associate at Get Involved, driven by his belief in the need to advance economic literacy and highlight contemporary economic issues, especially within the realm of monetary policy.

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Panteleimon K. Karamalis

Scientific Associate

Panteleimon Karamalis is a PhD Fellow at the UCD School of Economics in Ireland. He holds a MSc in Healthcare Administration from National School of Public Health in Athens (2018), a MSc in Banking and Financial Management from University of Piraeus (2017) and a BSc in Business Administration from Technological Educational Institute of Athens (2014). His research interests lie mainly in Monetary and Fiscal Policy, Banking, Wealth Inequality, and Health Economics. Since 2018 he has been a Teaching Assistant in Macroeconomics, Financial Economics, International Banking, and Econometrics at the UCD School of Economics.

He joined Get Involved because of their common belief about both the necessity of financial literacy in all students regardless of academic background, and the importance of scientific research by students and researchers who want to focus on specific research topics of economic science. All projects run by Get Involved, such as the ECB Simulation Conference and the scientific journal ‘Future Economic lab Journal’, orient themselves to the completion of these goals.

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Antonis Ballis

Scientific Associate

Antonis Ballis holds a Doctoral degree in Finance (2021) from Athens University of Economics and Business, a specialized Master’s degree in Applied Economics and Data Analysis (2016) from the University of Patras (2016), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2014) from Athens University of Economics and Business. In 2018 he was awarded full funding for his doctoral research on cryptocurrencies, from the Greek State Scholarships Foundation (IKY). His main research areas are Cryptocurrency/DEFI Economics, Behavioral Finance, and Financial Technology (FinTech).

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

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Maria Triantafyllopoulou

Vice President

I joined Get Involved in April 2021, and since May 2023 I have been Vice President. My main responsibilities include coordinating the legal team and communications with our stakeholders. Moreover, I participate in the formulation and implementation of the organisation’s strategy.

My involvement in Get Involved and my interaction with its multi-faceted people reflects my commitment to developing initiatives that motivate young people to actively engage with economic science and remain active citizens at all times.

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Stavros Vletsos

Vice President

I joined Get Involved in 2020 and I serve as a vice-president in 2022. My responsibilities include participating in the decision-making process and implementing the organisation’s strategy.

I am grateful to be part of Get Involved and contribute to connecting institutions, academia and the market with young people, spreading financial education and sustainable development through experiential learning and interdisciplinarity.

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Petros Dimitropoulos

Vice President

I’ve been part of Get Involved since April 2020 and one of the Vice Presidents since 2022. My main responsibilities include managing corporate communications as well as designing and implementing the organization’s strategy.
My participation in Get Involved reflects my commitment to empowering the voices of young people and promoting active dialogue between the market, the academic community, institutions, and youth, with the aim of advancing financial education, interdisciplinarity, and sustainable development.

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Anthony Efstathiadis

Co-Founder

I am one of the co-founders of Get Involved with which I have participated in the planning and implementation of numerous initiatives that have impacted more than 3,000 university students and graduates. My role entails the coordination of the overall organization, the project management of our various and diverse initiatives, and the strategy formulation.

My work in Get Involved reflects my commitment to have an active role in empowering the youth, their “voices” and to strive to nurture a positive culture where young people can develop to their full potential.

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Vasilis Angelopoulos

Co-Founder

As the co-founder of Get Involved, I lead an initiative that has influenced over 3,500 university students, empowering them through opportunities that bridge the gap between academic education and real-world challenges. The initiatives of Get Involved have garnered recognition from important organizations such as the Hellenic Bank Association, the Bank of Greece, the European Central Bank (ECB), and the corporate community in Greece, validating our efforts to foster a culture of social responsibility and professional excellence among the youth.

Our work at Get Involved is a reflection of my commitment to driving societal change and creating an active path of dialogue amongst university students, academia, institutions, and companies.

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