“The Recovery Fund is our key ally in the implementation of active policies, with the aim of empowering vulnerable social groups and supporting self-reliant and active citizens. With funds amounting to 400 million euros, we implement a series of programs that run through all the responsibilities of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family. From child protection and support for people with disabilities, to housing and the modernization of benefit policy through digitization for greater justice and transparency,” said the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharakis, in her intervention, as part of the “Road to Recovery”, organized by the European People’s Party and New Democracy.

The Lady Sugar he emphasized that for the ND government, development goes hand in hand with social cohesion and the essential change of the social policy model.

“Talking today about sustainable development and a resilient economy, we all understand the key role of social cohesion. This key role was recognized in the summer by the Prime Minister of the country, creating the new Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family with a really wide range of responsibilities”, the minister emphasized and referred to the programs implemented by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family under TAA terms.

Indicative:

• The modernization and digitization of the OPECA system. A Single Digital Portal is created, with modern and interoperable registers for the beneficiaries and a reduction of the bureaucratic burden of the administration. Based on European standards, the program is progressing

prepaid cards through which payment of allowances and all kinds of OPECA and DYPA benefits will be made.

• Supporting people with disabilities through the operation of the National Disability Benefits Portal at https://epan.gov.gr/

To date, 51,880 digital disability cards have already been issued, which facilitate and simplify the receipt of any type of benefit for persons with a disability of 2.5 million euros.

• The Personal Assistant program amounting to 41.6 million euros
Today, the number of beneficiaries who have received a Personal Assistant is 442 people, while we succeeded in employing 502 Personal Assistants.

• Furthermore, by the end of 2025, we are proceeding with the creation of accessibility infrastructure for the disabled in 4,700 private homes and businesses, with funding of 24 million euros.

• In the effort to empower and integrate people with disabilities into the labor market, we are implementing a counseling support and employment promotion program for 200 people on the autism spectrum, amounting to more than 8 million euros.

• In cooperation with EDYTE and the Institute of ESAmeA, we will proceed with the digital training of 2,400 people with disabilities.

• With the aim of vocational rehabilitation of vulnerable social groups, a program of vocational training and connection with the labor market is being implemented for 10,000 beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income and almost 500 Roma, disbursing 150 million euros and almost 3 million euros respectively.
• Two pilot housing programs for vulnerable groups are also implemented in the Municipality of Athens and in the Municipality of Thessaloniki, with a total funding of 1.6 million euros.

They concern 250 beneficiaries who are in housing insecurity or homelessness.

The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharaki, spoke on a joint panel with the Ministers of Economy Kostis Hatzidakis, Energy and Environment Theodoris Skylakakis and Minister of State Stavros Papastavrou.