The social and spa tourism program addressed to the beneficiaries of the Rural Home Account (LAE), year 2024 and implemented by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family through OPECA, is being expanded.

Today September 5begins the distribution of unused tickets for social, thermal tourism, excursion and theater programswhose validity lasts until 30/05 2025, by OPECA, according to the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family.

The redistribution will take place on a first-come, first-served basis until tickets are sold out.

In particular, they concern 39,693 unused tickets (out of a total of 50,000) for Social Tourism2,824 tickets (out of a total of 3,500) for Spa Tourism, 5,372 unused tickets (out of a total of 12,500) for Excursion Tourism and 19,763 unused tickets (out of a total of 32,500) for Theatres.

At the same time, two more programs will be run, those of children’s camps and the granting of an amount from 1,000 to 700 euros to farmer mothers with 3 or more children.

The total number of beneficiaries exceeds 125,000 and the budget of all programs amounts to 15 million euros.

Those interested in the programs of the Rural Center will be able to submit the relevant applications for participation in the KEPs of the whole country and on the Organization’s website www.opeka.gr

The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Sofia Zaharaki stated:

“We stand essentially on the side of the farming family, recognizing the difficulties it faces but also its contribution to keeping the Greek region alive and thriving. For one more year, we are therefore implementing through OPECA the programs of the Rural Household Account with a total annual budget of 15 million euros, which are addressed to thousands of farmers and members of their families. Especially for this year, we have taken special care, in addition to the support of Northern Evia, and for the support of Evros, increasing to 10 overnight stays for the beneficiaries of social and spa tourism, at the same time fully covering the cost of their stay, so that there is no no burden for the beneficiaries.”

What changes in the programs

For the first time, all the beneficiaries are included in the Spa Tourism program, i.e. the insured farmers. Until recently, only pensioners were beneficiaries.

Following the standards of the program followed in North Evia and the islands of the North and South Aegean, the social and thermal tourism program will operate in the Regional unit of Evros.

More days, zero participation for beneficiaries to support the region.

In particular, those who choose the area of ​​Evros will have the possibility of a longer vacation. Up to 11 days (10 nights) and up to 10 single baths for free.

For Evros, a subsidy of the full cost of accommodation will apply with zero participation of the beneficiaries, as was the case last year for the islands of the North and South Aegean

THE PROGRAMS FOR 2024 IN DETAIL

Social Tourism – 50,000 Beneficiaries

The program provides 6-day (5-night) holidays to 50,000 beneficiaries. The period of validity is from July 10, 2024 to May 30, 2025. For the first time, the program concerns all beneficiaries and not only pensioners.

In particular, for the Regional Unit of Evros, North Evia and the islands of the North and South Aegean Regions, the following apply in detail:

– Beneficiaries of the social and spa tourism programs who choose to use their tickets in tourist accommodation contracted with LAE/OPEKA of the Municipalities of Istiaia – Edipsos and Mantoudi – Limni – Agia Anna, the Regional Unit of Evia and the Regional Unit of Evros are entitled holidays up to eleven (11) days, i.e. for ten (10) nights.

– Beneficiaries of the social and spa tourism programs who will choose destinations in the Evros Regional Unit and on the islands of the North and South Aegean Regions, will spend their vacations without any additional financial burden of accommodation.

– 4-day excursions for 12,500 beneficiaries

It concerns four (4) day trips for 12,500 beneficiaries and always with contracted tourist agencies. Those interested will be able to make use of this program from July 10, 2024 to May 30, 2025.

– Children’s camps 16 days of holidays for 1500 children

It concerns a 16-day program for 1,500 children who are beneficiaries of the Rural Home.

In the subsidized camp program and in the event that a lottery is held if a larger number of beneficiaries emerges, children with a disability of more than 50% are excluded from the lottery and participate as a matter of priority.

The children’s camp program is valid from: 22-6-2024 to: a) 31-08-2024 (final date of departure from the camp) for children of typical development and b) 10-9-2024 (final date of departure from the camp) for children with disabilities with a percentage of 50% or more.

Addressed to:

– children aged 6 to 16, who are children of pensioners or insured persons of the e-EFKA (OGA) who are insured on December 31, 2023,

– children aged 6 to 16, as long as they receive a pension due to the death of their parent or a paraplegia – quadriplegia benefit from the e-EFKA (OGA).

As the day of completion of the 16th year of age, December 31 of the year 2024 is considered, regardless of the month of birth.

– Financial aid from 1,000 to 700 euros to 5,000 female farmers with three and multiple children

The program is aimed at 1,000 mothers with many children who will receive an aid of 1,000 euros and 4,000 mothers with three children who will receive an aid of 700 euros.

In particular, the program concerns mothers with 3 or 4 children with single and unemployed children who have not exceeded 18 years of age, or 19 if they are continuing in secondary education or 24 if they are studying at a Higher or Higher Education Institution in Greece or abroad or attend the “Post-high school year – Apprenticeship Class” of Vocational High Schools (E.P.L.) or Vocational Training Institutes (I.E.K.), or be persons with a disability rate of 50% or more.

– Free books to 130 thousand beneficiaries

Books of their choice are provided with a total value of 20 euros for each beneficiary and 30 euros for each child of the beneficiary, from contracted bookstores and publishing houses throughout the country.

The validity of this program is from July 10, 2024 to May 30, 2025.

– Free tickets for theater performances to 32,500 beneficiaries

The program concerns 32,500 beneficiaries for theatrical performances in all major cities of Greece. The period of validity is from July 10, 2024 to May 30, 2025. For each ticket, the company is subsidized with an amount of up to 15 euros for the Main Stage and with an amount of up to 12 euros for the Children’s Stage.

Selection by electronic lottery in case of excess applications

After the applications have been processed and if their number exceeds the number of applications provided for in the LAE / OPECA Programs, a lottery will follow with an electronic procedure.

Beneficiaries are informed about the result of the lottery through the OPECA website (www.opeka.gr) or through the KEP.