Background information

By virtue of the Circular 18659, 17 March 2020 "Strengthening municipal structures of social policy and solidarity - Employment of local government staff and their legal entities during taking measures to avoid and limit the spread of  COVID-19 " the Ministry of Interior strengthens the "Help at Home" program, in all municipalities, to support vulnerable citizens during COVID-19 crisis. In the wake of the pandemic, the Greek government boosted it in order to meet the increased needs so that no one will be left behind alone. The local government has been funded by the Ministry of Interior with €15.7 million to address the emerging needs due to the virus and it will be further funded by another €12 million for providing meals to citizens in need.

Content of measure

By virtue of the Circular 18659, 17 March 2020 "Strengthening municipal structures of social policy and solidarity - Employment of local government staff and their legal entities during taking measures to avoid and limit the spread of  COVID-19" the "Help at Home" boosted in order to meet the increased needs so that no one will be left behind alone. The local government has been funded by the Ministry of Interior with €15.7 million to address the emerging needs due to the virus and it will be further funded by another €12 million for providing meals to citizens in need. The program offers, among others, food, medication and health services, psychological support, facilitating administrative support required, etc. A total of 273 municipalities with 3,047 employees participate in the program, 75,000 citizens benefit on a daily basis, while throughout Greece 210,000 families receive free meals.

Use of measure

A total of 273 municipalities with 3,047 employees participate in the program, 75,000 citizens benefit on a daily basis, while throughout Greece 210,000 families receive free meals.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Older citizens Parents Disabled

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Local / regional government	Local funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

There is no any involvement of social partners

Views and reactions

No involvement

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 17 March 2020: Strengthening municipal structures of social policy and solidarity - Employment of local government staff and their legal entities during taking measures to avoid and limit the spread of COVID-19 (www.ypes.gr)
• 08 November 2020: Ministry of Interior, circular 75317, 8 November 2020 ( Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών, Εγκύκλιος 75317/8 Νοεμβρίου 2020 (www.ypes.gr)