Eurofound's COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the crisis, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for case GR-2020-12/682 – Updated – measures in Greece
Country | Greece , applies nationwide |
Time period | Open ended, started on 17 March 2020 |
Type | Legislations or other statutory regulations |
Category |
Measures to prevent social hardship
– Provision of services in kind (e.g. food vouchers) |
Author | Elena Kousta (INE GSEE) and Eurofound |
Case created | 16 April 2020 (updated 13 October 2021) |
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.
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.
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
08 November 2020 |
The Ministry of Interior by virtue of the Circular 75317, 8 November 2020 expended the regulations and the measures regarding the "Strengthening of municipal structures of social policy and solidarity - Employment of local government staff and their legal entities during the measures to avoid and limit the spread of COVID-19" until 30 November 2020. After this date the Municipalities continue to operate on the basis of the current epidemiological data, and continue to provide increased services to citizens to deal with the pandemic. |
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.
Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
---|---|---|
Does not apply to workers | Does not apply to businesses |
Older citizens
Parents Disabled |
Actors | Funding |
---|---|
Local / regional government
|
Local funds
National funds |
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:
There is no any involvement of social partners
No involvement
This case is sector-specific (only public sector)
Economic area | Sector (NACE level 2) |
---|---|
Q - Human Health And Social Work Activities | Q87 Residential care activities |
Q88 Social work activities without accommodation |
This case is not occupation-specific.
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Strengthening municipal social policy and solidarity: Help at home programme, case GR-2020-12/682 (measures in Greece), COVID-19 EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, http://eurofound.link/covid19eupolicywatch
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process. All information is preliminary and subject to change.