Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, discussed the Digital Empowerment program on Action24 television, through which 6,500 people over 65 and individuals with disabilities will acquire basic digital skills, along with initiatives like the “Neighborhood Nannies” program and Social Counter-offer housing scheme.
Read: Domna Michailidou: New opportunities for 40 families and vulnerable households
Regarding Digital Empowerment, the minister noted that this program addresses a new form of inequality – the digital divide. As she explained, the program targets citizens over 65 and individuals with disabilities above 50%, aiming to familiarize them with modern technologies, from using gov.gr services and electronic transactions to social media platforms. The program is implemented through a nationwide network of 194 Digital Empowerment Hubs, of which 120 operate in municipal structures for the elderly and 74 in disability organizations across the country. Those selected will be informed soon to attend their respective Hub, where their training will begin.
Domna Michailidou: “Neighborhood Nannies” program expands nationwide
Referring to the “Neighborhood Nannies,” a program that helps balance family and professional life, she emphasized that this initiative is now expanding nationwide. The ntantades.gov.gr platform is expected to reopen soon, so the program can begin practical implementation in April. For program participation, the mother’s individual income is set at up to €24,000 for one child and up to €27,000 for two children, while families with three or more children face no income criteria.
The discussion then moved to housing and Social Counter-offer, a tool that utilizes public property, increases housing stock, and creates new social housing with affordable rent. Domna Michailidou noted that two Joint Ministerial Decisions for policy implementation are expected soon: the first regarding the counter-offer procedure and terms, and the second for the first properties transferred for development by the ministry. As she explained, this policy activates properties that remained unused for years and strengthens the social housing institution.
Regarding the Tempe tragedy trial, she noted this is a development society awaits and that it’s crucial for the process to proceed. Concerning the first day’s image, she attributed difficulties to organizational issues related to attendee reception and guidance, estimating that with better coordination, the situation will normalize as the trial progresses.
In closing, she mentioned the minimum wage increase from April 1st, highlighting this as the sixth consecutive increase, with the minimum wage now at €920, very close to the €950 target by the end of the four-year term. As she emphasized, government policy steadily follows the line of “reducing taxes and increasing wages.”
