The roadmap for the next day of the vocational training and certification sector was redefined by the 1st Panhellenic Forum on Non-Formal Education & Certification 2026, which was organized with huge participation by the D GROUP.
The conference took place on August 31 and September 1, 2026 at THE STANLEY hotel in Athens, the relevant announcement notes. With the central axes being the message “Redefining the next day” and “innovation at the heart of educational activity”, the Forum constituted a leading institutional meeting for the evolution of educational activity in Greece.
The proceedings of the conference opened with the greeting message of the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Ms. Niki Kerameus, while immediately afterwards the baton was taken by the president of D GROUP, Dr. Dimitris Derpanis. Dr. Derpanis presented the Group’s strategic vision, announcing emblematic initiatives for safeguarding the market, such as the full transition to remote examinations from October 2026 to ensure absolute transparency, as well as the provision of technological and communication tools to the partner network through the Group’s new companies, D Talos and ADaMΑ.
Prominent institutional representatives, market leaders, media people, and members of the academic and educational community were present, presenting their own roadmap for skills upgrading. The strategic statements of the main guests made a particular impression:
- Dr. Giannis Chatzitheodosiou (President of EEA)
- Mr. Evangelos Konstantinou (CEO of ESYD)
- Mr. Giorgos Kavvathas (President of GSEVEE)
- Mr. Giorgos Christopoulos (President of OIELE)
- Mr. Dimitris Ramantzas (President of the So Easy educational group).
- Mr. Giorgos Chionis (Commercial Director of the EUROGNOSI Group)
- Mr. Christos Trapalis (Director at the Accreditation Directorate of Certification Bodies of ESYD)
- Ms. Zoi Chatzi (Vice President of D GROUP & President of UCERT).
- Mr. Syros Koskovolis (President of PASEKALO)
Also taking the Forum stage were the heads of D GROUP’s companies, demonstrating the Group’s strong synergies: UCERT General Manager, Ms. Kelly Manitara, emphasized the role of certification as a passport for professional mobility, while U STUDIES General Manager, Mr. Ioannis Karanikas, focused on quality training as an imperative necessity in a rapidly changing labor market, highlighting the Group’s commitment to educational programs of high added value, both co-funded and self-funded.
The General Manager of the newly established IT and technology company D Talos, Aristeidis Chronakis, presented the digital transformation of education through secure cloud ecosystems, while the General Manager of ADaMΑ, the Group’s new advertising company, Ms. Christiana Mantalvanou, referred to the generous support of the Management for the digital and communication upgrade of the collaborating Lifelong Learning Centers (KDVM).
The General Manager of U Consulting, Mr. Alexis Soukas, presented the consulting company’s services and the development opportunities for businesses active in Non-Formal Education, while the General Manager of U Constructions, Mr. Fragkiskos Drogitis, highlighted the necessity of certified technical personnel in modern, green infrastructure.
The vivid statement by the CEO of U RESORT, Mr. Giannis Litos, clearly captured the company’s vision to create a four-season mountain tourist destination at the Vasilitsa National Ski Center. Mr. Dimitris Siamantas, the Commercial Director of D Group, spoke about the upcoming project to remodel the 7th Art Arcade into an urban landmark that will combine contemporary gastronomy trends with the traditional flavors of the mountain. An artistic note to the event was given by the speeches of the Directors of the 10TH Theatre School, Ms. Froso Korrou and Mr. Dimitris Kouroumpalis, who conveyed the work being carried out at the Group’s drama school.
The strategic discussion panels, coordinated by the distinguished journalists Dimitris Christoulias and Konstantina Chelidoni, played a key role in drawing valuable conclusions. Participating in the discussions were the President of PASYKEK, Mr. Stefanos Goulas, as well as numerous KDVM owners from all over Greece, analyzing the sector’s contemporary challenges.
At the event, brief greetings were addressed by the Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis, Ms. Christina Kariniotaki, Executive Director of Hellas Cert, Mr. Pontas Apostolos, legal advisor of D GROUP, and PASOK MP Mr. Manolis Christodoulakis.
The conference, which was supported by the media outlets Real.gr, Reporter, HUFFPOST and Dimokratia as communication sponsors, set new standards for transparency, quality, and technological development in Lifelong Learning and Certification.