Corfu Secures €50 Million for Urban Development and Cultural Projects
Corfu, May 30, 2026 – The European Commission has positively evaluated Corfu’s Sustainable Urban Development Plan (OSBAA), a comprehensive program with a budget of 50 million euros aimed at enhancing urban areas and cultural heritage. The assessment took place during a working meeting on Wednesday, May 27, at the Municipal Art Gallery in Corfu.
Working Meeting Highlights Progress and Future Plans
The meeting was attended by Mayor Stefanos Poulimenos and Eleni Banava, a representative from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional Policy (DG REGIO) and Coordinator of Regional Programs. Ms. Banava was thoroughly briefed on the progress of projects funded by the European Program ‘Ionian Islands’.
The implementation progress was presented by the Directorate of Planning and Development of the Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands, with the participation of Deputy Mayor for Culture and European Programs, Nikos Vradis, and other service executives. The program encompasses the entire ‘single urban area,’ including the Historic Center, its surrounding zones, and the core of the modern city.
Strategic Approach to Maximize European Resources
To maximize the utilization of European funds during the 2024-2026 period, the Municipality is employing a two-pronged strategy:
- Ensuring Continuity (‘Phasing’ Projects): All ongoing or completing projects from the previous period have been submitted and integrated into the funding of the new Regional Operational Program ‘Ionian Islands 2021-2027’. This ensures that no resources or projects will be lost for the island.
- Inflow of New Resources: New projects are being submitted and integrated to address contemporary challenges such as climate change, strengthening the city’s resilience, green urban regeneration in line with the New European Bauhaus principles, and sustainable mobility interventions (SBAC).
The program is currently in full swing, involving collaboration with over 10 local bodies, including the Ionian Islands Region, the Municipality, the Ionian University, the Corfu Chamber of Commerce, DI.PE.THE., and TEE. To date, 15 major projects totaling 48.1 million euros have been approved and are being funded, with an additional 2 actions (2.3 million euros) in the final stages of evaluation. The program’s beneficiary partners are continuously developing new, additional projects to ensure the Municipality is ready to absorb any new funding opportunities immediately.
Current Construction and Future Planning
Currently Under Construction:
- Emblematic Buildings: Full restoration of the historic ‘Villa Rossa’ and the Holy Monastery of Agioi Theodoroi is underway.
- Culture: Modern workshops are being created at the Museum of Asian Art, and studies for the restoration of the Historic Town Hall are nearing completion.
- Daily Life: A Smart System for Measuring Visitor Flows is being installed to monitor real-time movement in the city and prevent congestion.
Planned until the end of 2026:
- International Corfu Festival (with an emphasis on music).
- Observatory of Tourist Carrying Capacity.
- Urban regeneration in city neighborhoods.
- Creation of a Business Incubator.
Upon completion of these projects, Corfu will gain:
- Cultural Landmarks: A new Art Gallery and the building of the Historic Town Hall as an accessible space for the Municipal Historical Archive (1866-1934) with modern digital applications.
- Utilization of Inactive Buildings:
- Municipal Theater building ‘Phoenix’
- Angelos Giallinas Art Gallery building
- ‘Rolinas’ Building: Accessible warehouses and educational activities.
- Villa Kokotou: Research and educational activities.
- Villa Rossa: Exhibition spaces and a green park.
- Urban Upgrade: Redevelopment of the Municipal Theater’s surroundings and protection of the Mon Repos forest.
- Sustainable Mobility: Construction of a ‘small ring road’ in the heart of the city to improve traffic flow.
The common goal of the Municipality and its collaborating bodies is to establish Corfu as an internationally recognized, multifaceted, and vibrant cultural destination, while simultaneously preserving its rich heritage.
Source: https://corfustories.com/2026/05/30/%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BD%CE%AC%CE%BD%CE%B7%CE%B7-%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CF%80%CF%81%CF%8C%CE%BF%CE%B4%CE%BF-%CF%85%CE%BB%CE%BF-2/
