New draw for integration, about 500 additional people with disabilities in the pilot program “Personal assistant for people with disabilities“, Will be held in March, according to amending the joint decision of the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zacharakis and Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance, Nikos Papathanassis.

The program is EUR 42 million and is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund.

In particular, the additional beneficiaries will come from the existing applications that were eligible during the two phases of the program (1st Phase: Attica, Bi: Other Regions) which have not been drawn up to date. The draw will be followed by the two draws that have already taken place against the two phases of the program. In Attica, 1,200 people with disabilities have already been drawn and evaluated in the first phase and 1,250 people in the other regions of the country.

Currently, 1,328 people with disabilities enjoy the services of the personal assistant and 1,879 personal assistants have been employed in the program as it enables a person with a disability through the day to employ more than one personal assistants.

OPECA has paid € 14.13m from April 2023 to date, to beneficiaries who are expected to increase with the new draw.

As provided by the JMD of the Program, as amended, the pilot program “Personal Assistant for Persons with Disabilities” is extended until the completion of the recovery and resilience fund (March 2026) in order to then transition, to the planning, universal implementation of the Service, which will be funded by the NSR.

Minister Sofia Zacharakis said: “We are proud that Greece has introduced the institution of the personal assistant to strengthen people with disabilities. The program creates the prerequisites for a society of intellism and autonomy as people with disabilities have the opportunity to fulfill their personal, professional, academic goals and live in accordance with their own choices. In this context, the “national strategy for the rights of people with disabilities 2024-2030: one Greece with all, for all” implemented, under the Minister of State, Akis Skrtso and structured into 7 pillars and 27 key goals, is a decisive initiative, following the policy of the 2019 policy and the government plan. Complete integration of people with disabilities into society. In March, a new process of highlighting the existing approved applications will be held, which will result from about 500 additional beneficiaries. In 2025 we hope to achieve our goal of more than 1,800 people with disabilities having a personal assistant, enhancing their autonomous and independent living. ”