The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, spoke about the social counterpart, the “Nanny of the Neighbourhood” and the programmes of the Rural Estias Account of OPEKA, speaking today on ANT1.
The Minister stressed that the first 8 properties of the DYPA, which are being transferred to the exclusive management of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, will be developed through social consideration and will yield 400 apartments. These are properties in Peania, Larissa, Pyrgos and Kalamata, which will be auctioned in 2026. Of the 400 apartments estimated to be created, about 130 will be made available to vulnerable citizens, while the rest will be made available on market terms.
“Social renting is one of the most critical tools of the new housing policy. The public sector is activating its property. Public land that has remained unused for years is being transformed into housing, housing opportunities and real support for vulnerable households.”
Michailidou linked this initiative to the wider planning for the development of inactive camps, such as the former Ziaka camp in Thessaloniki, where the creation of 1 is planned.034 social housing units, as part of the national plan for more than 2,300 social housing units.
In the field of childcare, Ms Michailidou referred to the “Nanny of the Neighbourhood”, noting the great response to the opening of the platform for the registration of guardians. She said that within two weeks, 10,000 applications have been registered, while 2,000 prospective bailiffs and bailiffs have already completed the three-hour training seminar.
The programme is for infants and toddlers from 2 months to 2.5 years old and allows not only professional caregivers to participate, but also family members, such as grandmothers and grandfathers, if they meet the requirements.
In about two weeks, the Minister noted, the Registry will also be opened for mothers, so that the matching process with caregivers can begin.
The process is fully digital, with registration in the Register of Custodians, supporting documents and specific checks. A prerequisite for participation is first aid certification, while cooperation with the Hellenic Red Cross and EKAB for free training has already been arranged. At the same time, health and criminal record certificates are required, while those who do not have a relevant specialty acquire basic training through a free online seminar.
In presenting this year’s programs of the Agricultural Estates Account of OPEKA, Domna Michailidou reminded that applications are due by May 25, 2026. The programmes are aimed at a total of 32,000 beneficiaries and include social tourism, spa tourism and children’s camps.
Specifically for the children’s camp program, the process is done online and involves 1,200 children aged 6 to 16 years old. The minister noted that the goal is to get benefits to beneficiaries faster, cleaner and more equitably.
