The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs and the Welfare and Social Solidarity Organization held today, Thursday 28 March the first annual review, accountability and perspective entitled « : Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow» The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Sophia Zachakakis declared the opening of the proceedings of the OPEKA conference held at the Library of the House (formerly a public tobacco factory), in the presence of the Ministers of State Stavros Papastavrou, National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis, Labour and Social Security Domna Michaelidou, the Deputy Ministers of State, Maria- Alexandras Kefalas, Vasilis Spanakis and Stathi Konstantinidis, the Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Kardalias and representatives of local government, officials and employees of the Ministry and OPEKA. During the Conference, an OPECA transformation account was made by a purely grant organization, a modern pillar of the social state and a body implementing the policies and programmes of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family. From 2019 to 2023 families with children, disabled, uninsured elderly, homeless, etc. were supported with allowances, benefits, services and programs, totaling 16 billion euros. Only in 2023 was 3,000,000 beneficiaries and beneficiaries given an amount of EUR 3.5 billion. Minister for Social Cohesion and Family Sophia Zachaki stressed: “The Welfare and Social Solidarity Organization becomes the model of the country’s digital transformation by its gradual transformation into a modern, vital hub of the social state. With the valuable help of experienced and dedicated personnel, we are trying to give citizens substantial social solidarity and protection. With uniform rules and equal access. Direct, consistent and decent service. We owe the citizens maximum transparency and accountability as only through the OPEC. A more than EUR 3.5 billion is allocated annually to grants and social protection services to nearly 3 million beneficiaries and beneficiaries. Greater strength and modernisation of the social state. We are implementing a coherent social policy, which combines grant aid with innovative active support programmes. At the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family we work committed to the beginning: We don’t leave anyone alone. We’re not leaving anyone behind. We reduce inequalities and increase opportunities. “ Minister of State Stavros Papastavrou said: “Now, we are increasing speed. I have the honour to present tomorrow to the Cabinet the “National Strategy for the Rights of People with Disabilities 2024-2030: a Greece with everyone”. The aim is to remove obstacles so that our 1 million disabled fellow citizens actually enjoy equal rights to each and every one of us. Enjoy what other European citizens do. This is the heart of our goal, “double convergence”, i.e. people with disabilities in Greece enjoying the same standard of living as the general population in Greece and disabled people in Europe,” adding that “removing obstacles is a matter of social justice, our constitutional obligation, and, above all, it is our moral commitment.” In his speech, Minister of National Economy and Finance Kostis Hatzidakis said: “OPEKA, having at the heart of his policy our most vulnerable fellow citizens is a public body with high added value and strong footprint in society contributing substantially to the fight for social cohesion. And in this battle, primarily for humanity, we are all from the “same side of the hill”. On the part of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance we will support initiatives with a substantial footprint of social policy that lead society to steps of inclusion. We will, however, constantly ensure that benefits resulting from the loss of taxpayers are directed to those who really need them. If we all agree to these principles we will have a modern, human and effective social policy.” The Chairman of the Board of Directors and Commander of OPEKA Konstantinos Gloumis – Atsalakis said: “It is the beginning of an extroversion effort by the Agency, the goal of the next day is to improve the system of awarding benefits, according to the principles of transparency, effectiveness and social justice. Two key reforms are already being prepared. The application of the prepaid card to benefits is initiated, while a working party processes the consolidation of the award criteria, simplification of procedures for granting and optimising their targeting. With the look at the next day, OPEKA proceeds to the digital transformation of the Agency, i.e. a complete and coherent set of actions for its integrated digital and functional reconstruction.” For his part, the Secretary-General for Social Solidarity and Combating Poverty Prodromos Pyrros stressed: “The first annual conference, is a good opportunity to transparent the whole range of activities that OPEKA deals with. Activities concerning, inter alia, critical policy areas addressed by the General Secretariat for Social Solidarity and Combating Poverty. Starting with the Minimum Guaranteed Income, TEVA, school meals and reaching the disability benefits, the Personal Assistant and the support provided to our elderly fellow citizens. The overall leadership of the Ministry, with the Minister first, is aimed at implementing substantial changes for the benefit of citizens, especially the most vulnerable. This goal cannot be done without a modern, reliable and powerful welfare benefit organization. That is why we attach particular importance to the strengthening of OPECA’. The Secretary General for Demographic and Housing Policy Dr. Marina Stefu emphasized that: ‘For the first time in ten years there is a national strategy for social and affordable housing with specific criteria, with actions that are integrated into the state budget, while, he stressed that at this time the Ministry is working on new housing programmes with a positive social signal and demographic impact, such as housing public servants in high-intensity municipalities, aimed both at increasing the housing stock and reducing rents and facilitating new families’ The Regional Governor of Attica Nikos Hardalias, representing the Union of Regions, spoke about the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, which ensures basic goods to about half a million people in need. “Greek society experienced in recent years two major crises, the financial crisis in the 2010s and the pandemic afterwards. Both left their negative impression on the income and living standards of citizens. To alleviate these consequences, by supporting our vulnerable fellow citizens, is our obligation. Our actions create a net of social security and protection in the vulnerable groups of our Region. They strengthen social cohesion. But that’s not enough. It takes constant effort. New initiatives, new actions to win the bet of reducing social inequalities, improving social indicators. For balanced and fair growth for all. “ On behalf of the National Confederation of People with Disabilities, Ioannis Vardakastani’s president noted “ESAMEA has supported OPEKA since the beginning of its establishment. I always believe that there must be a national benefit authority supporting its development and transformation at the same time. It is necessary to establish an automatic mechanism for adjusting disability benefits. We call on the political leadership of the ministries to remove all obstacles and barriers faced by disabled people to employment and social inclusion.” About family and disability benefits, as well as the support of vulnerable households, the Director General of Services of OPEKA, Dr. Konstantinos Georgas, the Deputy Governor of the Efthymia Karpotini Organization, as well as the Head Regional Directorate of Central Macedonia Anthi Theophilaktou. The delegates renewed their appointment for the 2nd OPEKA conference in 2025.
Zachaki: Benefits, benefits and programme €3.5 billion were given in 2023
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