A piece of good news emerged for Athens’ students during yesterday’s cake-cutting ceremony hosted by the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation. Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Kyriakos Pierrakakis, along with INEDIBIM President Anna Rokofyllou, announced the long-awaited renovation of the Student Hall of the Boys of Athens (FEA). Located at 279-281 Patision Street, the building has been in need of significant infrastructure upgrades for years.

The Beginning of the Project

According to sources from APE-MPE, the process began in late November 2024, when the Governmental Committee for Strategic Importance Contracts approved the Ministry’s proposal titled “Renovation of Student Hostels.”

The approved project focuses on the renovation and modernization of student dormitories under the jurisdiction of the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (YLF), starting with the FEA.

Project Details

The project, with a total budget of €20 million (plus VAT), includes:

• Restoration of the dormitory’s facades.
• Renovation of electromechanical installations and student rooms, with integrated sanitary facilities and accessibility upgrades for people with disabilities.
• Renovation of the basement, ground floor, foyer, entrance, and lecture hall.
• A significant overhaul of the surrounding area to modernize the building.

Broader Renovation Plan

According to sources, this initiative is part of a larger plan to upgrade student residences across Greece, which are under INEDIBIM’s management. These include:

• Student Halls in Athens (A’/B’/C’/D’).
• Dormitories in Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Kalamaria, and ASPETE.

The Hellenic Property Fund will oversee the detailed maturation process for these projects, including the scope of interventions, strategic planning, tender procedures, and cost estimation.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

In addition to the above efforts, many Greek universities have been implementing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects since 2019 to address student housing needs. Minister Pierrakakis has highlighted that PPP projects for dormitories amount to €700 million, with the aim to:

• Double the number of available beds (from approximately 10,000 to 20,000).
• Upgrade existing operating conditions for students.

About the Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation (INEDIBIM)

The Youth and Lifelong Learning Foundation is a non-profit legal entity under private law, operating in the public interest and supervised by the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports. It enjoys financial and operational autonomy and focuses on initiatives that benefit the broader public sector.

This renovation marks a significant step toward addressing the long-standing housing challenges faced by students, ensuring improved living conditions and accessibility.