In an interview today, the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zacharaki, announced significant initiatives, including the expansion of the “Personal Assistant” program for people with disabilities and the introduction of the “Family Caregiver” program, which is expected to be implemented by the end of 2025.

Introducing the “Neighborhood Caregiver”

The program will follow the model of the successful “Neighborhood Nannies” initiative, which will also be expanded nationwide starting mid-summer. This expansion has been secured with €100 million in funding from the NSRF.

“Personal Assistant for Persons with Disabilities” – Two Innovations Announced by Sofia Zacharaki

Zacharaki also announced the expansion of the “Personal Assistant” program for persons with disabilities, following the completion of its pilot phase, which is currently funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund with €47 million.

“Once the pilot phase is completed, the Prime Minister has requested that we legislate for nationwide implementation without the requirement of an electronic lottery. This will allow far more of our fellow citizens to benefit. I estimate that in this next phase, starting in early 2026, we will be able to provide personal assistants for approximately 10,000 individuals with disabilities across the country. At present, there are 1,270 citizens with personal assistants, and the number of assistants is 1,800, as they also work in shifts.”