The start of the submission of applications in October for relocation, as well as the interventions to support preschool care and the “Neighborhood Nannies,” was presented by the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michaëlidou.
On the occasion of a question about Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' announcements regarding Kastellorizo, the minister stated that support for border areas needs to combine financial incentives, services and infrastructure.
As she noted, in Kastellorizo an annual support of €5,000 is provided, with an increase of €1,000 for each child, for public officials and private sector employees, along with new services, such as a nursery and school, as well as additional incentives for critical specialties, such as doctors.
Which areas are included in the Demographic Development Program
In the same context, Domna Michaëlidou referred to the Demographic Development Program, which started in Evros and is expanding to new areas.
With a Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) to be issued in the coming days, the program includes seven of the eight municipalities of the Regional Unit of Ioannina, as well as the Municipalities of Souli and Filiates in Thesprotia. After the issuance of the JMD, the platform for submitting applications will open.
«We started Relocation in Evros. We worked on it with the mayors and are expanding it to new areas, without making the existence of work in the place of settlement a prerequisite. In October we are opening the platform and providing support of up to 10,000 euros for the relocation of people and families to areas of border Greece. We also want to support those who currently live abroad and want to return. Because the demographic issue is not addressed with a single policy. It requires incentives, services and cooperation with local communities», emphasized Domna Michaëlidou.
The interventions for nurseries
The minister also referred to the interventions for nurseries, noting that since 2019 coordinated steps have been taken to strengthen preschool care.
For families with one or two children, the income limit for receiving a voucher now reaches €37,000. At the same time, the value of the vouchers was increased and new places for infants are being funded, so that more families can find a place in a nursery or, where there are no available places for infants up to 2.5 years old, cover the gap through the “Neighborhood Nannies” program.
In the “Neighborhood Nannies” program, approximately 3,000 agreements have already been signed, while the Registry has been strengthened with 1,000 additional nannies.
The nannies in the Registry meet specific safety standards: they have a clean criminal record, meet physical and mental health requirements, have completed first aid training from EKAV and a special seminar by the Ministry.
In this way, parents have greater assurances of safety for the care of their children.
Source: ERTNews