EUSAIR - Final Report

14.30–15.15
AWARD CEREMONY
Windmills of Excellence
The awardees were announced
by Andreja Jerina, National Coordinator
for Macro-regional Strategies,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic
of Slovenia, and Danilo Markočič,
Mayor of the Municipality of Izola.
WINDMILLS OF EXCELLENCE
The Windmill of Excellence is the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian
Region (EUSAIR) award for those who have used their vast experience in
the development of Macro-regional Strategies to contribute to the common
good. Throughout the centuries, windmills in saltpans have been used to
convert wind power to pump the saline water. The most famous were the
windmills in the Fontanigge area of the Piran Salt Pans, where the legendary
“fleur de sel” is still produced. The water, with a little help from the sun and
wind, is thus transformed into salt – it is as if the four elements were reunited
in the four sails of the stone windmill. Today, the traditional method of salt
production is preserved as an important part of Slovenia’s cultural heritage.
The 2021 Ambassadors of EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian
Region (EUSAIR) are:
GEORGE ALEXAKIS, GREECE
Vice-governor of Crete for European and International Affairs, Vice-president
of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe in charge of
Maritime Affairs. He holds a Degree in Civil Engineering from the Democritus
Technical University of Greece and Master of Science in Planning from the
London School of Economics and Political Science. From 2001 until 2014,
he was Chief Executive Officer of the Heraklion Port Authority, Crete, Greece.
Mr. Alexakis has been active in the prioritization of the flagship projects and
the need to embed them into national and regional policies, taking full advantage
of the European financial frameworks and programmes. He has succeeded
in engaging the related parts of the local, regional and national economy
and stakeholders, making them aware of the opportunities and future perspectives.
Understanding the strong maritime dimension and potential for future
development, Mr. Alexakis has launched an effective dialogue for the blue
economy sectors and cross-sectorial objectives for the environment, tourism,
connectivity and the territorial cohesion of the Adriatic Ionian Region.
BOJANA CIPOT, SLOVENIA
Holds a degree in political sciences from the University of Ljubljana.
She gained vast experience in international cooperation as Minister Plenipotentiary
in numerous diplomatic posts. In 2014, she joined the Slovene
National Coordination Team for EU Macro-regional Strategies and significantly
influenced the active participation of Slovenia in the Danube, Alpine and
Adriatic-Ionian Strategies. Since 2019, she has been Head of International
Cooperation and Project Management at Primorska Technology Park.
Ms Cipot has a strong believe in the new generations and their entrepreneurial
spirit that will create a better tomorrow. She made an outstanding
contribution to EUSAIR youth involvement through a national competition
for entrepreneurial ideas of young people. With her broad understanding of
Macro-regional cooperation, she has managed to expand the national POPRI
competition to all EUSAIR participating countries through the networking of
EUSAIR technological parks. Understanding transnational challenges, Ms Cipot
inspires youth to connect based on knowledge and to create a better future.
70 | EUSAIR Slovene Presidency