The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection received two distinctions at the “Digital Governance Awards 2024”, winning two awards — one for the land plot cleaning declaration platform and one for the digital application used for on-site inspections to record damage in buildings affected by natural disasters.

Specifically, the Ministry / Fire Service received second place (due to tie) in the category “Best Applied Idea – Justice and Citizen Safety” for the proposal titled: “Digital Service for Owners to Declare the Cleaning of Their Properties to Prevent Fire Breakout or Rapid Spread”.

This digital application was designed and implemented to strengthen prevention and safety ahead of the wildfire season. Through the platform, property owners declare that they have cleaned their properties, based on current legislation and guidelines of the Fire Service.

The platform:

• Strengthens prevention of forest fire breakout and spread.
• Allows the Fire Service and Municipalities to have timely, documented information on property status, improving operational preparedness and response.
• Contributes to risk reduction and protection of the natural environment, property and human life.

“The most decisive factor for protecting human life, property and the environment is prevention. The distinction of the land plot cleaning declaration platform proves that digital innovation can serve this goal practically, directly and effectively. The platform offers a modern tool that makes it easier for citizens to comply with their obligations and allows us to have a real picture of readiness before the start of the wildfire season,” stated Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis.

He stressed that Civil Protection cannot be limited only to crisis response — it must precede it. “Through digital solutions we are changing the way prevention is organized in the country, strengthening cooperation between the State and citizens and creating a safer and more resilient environment for our local communities. We consistently continue to upgrade our tools and procedures in order to serve the public interest and human life,” he underlined.

The distinction, as stated in the Ministry’s announcement, is recognition of the strategic choice to invest systematically in digital innovation and prevention, as a core element of tackling climate crisis phenomena — while also highlighting effective cooperation between services and institutions.

Distinction also for the General Secretariat for Natural Disaster Recovery and State Aid

In the same competition, the General Directorate for Natural Disaster Impact Recovery also received second place in the category “Best New Idea” for the proposal: “Digitization and Automation of On-site Damage Recording via Tablets in Buildings Affected by Natural Disasters”.

As Deputy Minister for State Aid and Natural Disaster Recovery, Kostas Katsafados, underlined — the digital transition in disaster recovery is not simply a technological development, but a strategic choice. “The distinction proves that technology can become an ally in crisis management and recovery. Through the digitization of on-site inspections, we end decades of delays and provide our teams with the tools to effectively serve citizens in their most difficult moments. This distinction belongs to the people of the General Secretariat. It reflects the Secretariat’s transition to a new, modern, digitally-oriented operating model for faster and more effective citizen service,” he noted.

As stated in the announcement, “the innovative application, developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Governance and already used in the 2025 summer wildfires, proved its effectiveness in practice”.

“Through the use of tablets by inspection teams, the procedures of damage recording in affected areas were accelerated significantly, while accuracy and immediate data connection with central information systems of the Secretariat improved substantially. This distinction constitutes tangible recognition of the systematic effort of the General Secretariat for Natural Disaster Recovery to leverage digital technologies as tools of modernization, acceleration and strengthening efficiency of recovery actions — aiming at a faster return to normality for citizens,” it emphasized.

It is noted that the “Digital Governance Awards” are organized by the Ministry of Digital Governance, with the objective of recognizing and rewarding innovative digital transformation actions in the public sector.