Marking a significant achievement for Greece and secure quantum communications, the HellasQCI – National Quantum Communications Infrastructure, coordinated by GRNET, received the 1st Prize in the “Best New Idea” category at the Digital Governance Awards, during a ceremony held on 8th September 2026. The award aims to recognise digital transformation initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Digital Governance and its supervised agencies.
The HellasQCI project is coordinated by the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET S.A.), operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, and constitutes the national component of the European EuroQCI initiative, which aims to create a pan-European quantum communications infrastructure for the secure transmission and protection of sensitive information and data and to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure.
The award was presented by the Deputy Minister of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, Mr. Christos Dermetzopoulos, to the project team, represented by I. Papastamatiou, Senior Project Manager, GRNET and HellasQCI Coordinator; G. Kanellos, Technical Coordinator of HellasQCI and representative of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA); and S. Papathanasopoulou, Head of the Broadband Department, Directorate of Broadband & Electronic Communications Networks, General Secretariat for Telecommunications & Post, and in the presence of the Deputy Chairman of GRNET and Assistant Professor at the University of Athens, D. Katsianis.
This distinction underscores the significant progress Greece is making in strengthening cybersecurity, protecting sensitive data, and enhancing the resilience of critical and government infrastructures via the HellasQCI project. At the same time, it reflects the country’s growing potential and active role in the emerging field of quantum technologies.
Statements
Konstantinos Karantzalos, Secretary General for Telecommunications and Post at the Ministry of Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence, stated:
“The development of HellasQCI is an important step toward strengthening the country’s digital security and technological sovereignty. Greece has now established significant national capabilities in the field of quantum communications and is actively participating in the development of the pan-European EuroQCI infrastructure. Leveraging this infrastructure, in conjunction with collaboration between the government, the research community, and industry, creates a robust innovation ecosystem and paves the way for the development of innovative applications and secure communications. HellasQCI’s distinction at the Digital Governance Awards is a significant acknowledgment of this collective effort and of the strategic importance of quantum technologies for the country’s future. I warmly congratulate the officials of the General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post, the GRNET team, and all HellasQCI partners for their dedication and substantial contribution to the development of the national infrastructure. This recognition vindicates their collective effort and demonstrates what we can achieve through a shared vision and close cooperation.”
Dimitris Katsianis, Deputy Chairman GRNET and Assistant Professor at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, stated:
“The recognition of GRNET’s contribution through the HellasQCI project, demonstrates the importance of investing in innovative technologies that strengthen the security and resilience of critical infrastructures while shaping the future of secure quantum communications. I would like to congratulate the GRNET project team and all HellasQCI partners, who through their expertise, perseverance, and meaningful collaboration, have transformed an ambitious vision into a national infrastructure. This distinction belongs first and foremost to the people who worked to bring it to fruition. GRNET, through HellasQCI—a project nearing its completion—as well as its participation as coordinator in the new European projects SEEWQCI (South-East Europe to Western Europe Quantum Communication Infrastructure) and TransEuroOGS (Trans-European Optical Ground Stations), is actively contributing to the development of the Greek and European quantum communication ecosystem and to the realization of the EuroQCI vision. The HellasQCI award is a significant recognition of this collective effort and the direction Greece has set in the field of quantum technologies, and we at GRNET are proud that we are able to contribute in this way to the country’s technological evolution and innovation.”
Ilias Papastamatiou, Senior Project Manager at GRNET S.A. and Coordinator of the HellasQCI National Quantum Communications Infrastructure, stated:
“This award is a significant recognition of the collective effort to develop the HellasQCI National Quantum Communications Infrastructure. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the project team and all our partners for their excellent collaboration and dedication to realizing this vision. In three years, we built from scratch a quantum-secure communications network spanning approximately 700 kilometers in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion; we have implemented 17 applications in public administration, healthcare, research, and critical infrastructure; and we have trained more than 1,000 people. We created a platform for the development and testing of Greek technological solutions, strengthening Greece’s position at the forefront of European innovation. We have earned the trust of our European partners and continue to coordinate the SEEWQCI and participate in TransEuroOGS, to expand the infrastructure and interconnect it with the national quantum communications infrastructures of other European countries via terrestrial and satellite links.”
You can find more information about the Digital Governance Awards ceremony here.
The HellasQCI Project (Greece’s National Quantum Telecommunications Infrastructure)
HellasQCI, co-funded by the European Union, is developing Greece’s National Quantum Communication Infrastructure as part of the broader EuroQCI network. Coordinated by GRNET and supported by the Ministry of Digital Governance and the General Secretariat for Telecommunications and Post, the project aims to position Greece at the forefront of quantum technology, providing advanced solutions for the security and connectivity of critical infrastructure.
At the core of the project is the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems, essential for safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring infrastructure resilience, and laying the foundation for new applications in research, education, and innovation.
HellasQCI links three Greek observatories—Helmos (Peloponnese), Holomontas (Thessaloniki), and Skinakas (Crete)—with metropolitan networks in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion respectively. These are being upgraded into Optical Ground Stations with quantum key distribution capabilities.
The HellasQCI consortium includes:
GRNET (Coordinator), Ministry of Digital Governance, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), NCSR “Demokritos,” Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, QUBITECH, SPACE HELLAS, National Observatory of Athens, Motor Oil Hellas (MOH), Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), Université du Luxembourg, and South East Technological University (Ireland).
With a vision to accelerate research and innovation, HellasQCI is developing the quantum internet, paving the way for a safe and successful transition to the digital technologies of the future.
More: HellasQCI Booklet
