Educational programs in new technologies for public employees will be implemented this year by the Ministry of Interior and the National Centre for Public Administration and Self-Government (EKDDA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Governance and Microsoft.

These programs focus on developing both basic and specialized skills in cloud technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). The goal is to train and certify around 2,000 public employees in new technologies and digital skills by 2025, as part of the “Microsoft Civil Servants Academy,” the first-ever global Public Servants Academy inaugurated in 2023.

The initiative also enables EKDDA to establish its own pool of certified Microsoft trainers, who will further upgrade the digital skills of all public employees, making large-scale, rapid, and effective training possible.

The 14 targeted, fast-track programs are designed for the immediate practical application of new technologies and to strengthen the operational capacity of public organizations. They are aimed at employees whose field of study or work relates to computer science and cover topics such as creating integrated Azure solutions, developing AI applications, and addressing cyber threats.

The initiative is part of the “National Recovery and Resilience Plan / Greece 2.0,” and public employees who are certified through EKDDA and Microsoft training programs will receive the statutory point-based incentives.

In her statement, Deputy Minister of Interior Vivi Charalampogianni said: “Today, Greece ranks among the leading countries across Europe in integrating artificial intelligence into Public Administration, reflecting our strong will to provide the Greek public sector and its people with cutting-edge tools. Strengthening our cooperation with Microsoft embodies this strategic commitment of the Ministry of Interior to continuously upgrade the digital skills of public servants and to transition Public Administration into a modern, digitally mature, and productive environment, resulting in improved quality of services for citizens and supporting the country’s productive model.”

Demos Papadopoulos, General Secretary of Information Systems and Digital Governance, stated: “Cloud is no longer the future but the present for the operation of critical digital infrastructure in the Public Sector, within the framework of the digital leap our country has achieved through initiatives and actions by the Ministry of Digital Governance. However, we know that without trained personnel in these technologies, infrastructure alone is not enough. The same applies to artificial intelligence. The challenge for Public Administration is to utilize these new tools practically and effectively in daily service delivery. That’s why this initiative is not just useful but of strategic importance.”

Vasileios Exarchos, President of EKDDA, said: “EKDDA, as the strategic training body of Greek Public Administration, responds consistently to the demands of the digital age by investing in upgrading the skills of our public workforce. Our strategic partnership with Microsoft, within the framework of the Public Servants Academy, significantly enhances EKDDA’s ability to develop a modern and flexible training system, tailored to the challenges of AI and cloud computing. Our goal is a Public Administration capable of harnessing new technologies for the benefit of citizens and the country, with professionalism, speed, and efficiency.”

Yanna Andronopoulou, CEO for Microsoft Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, commented: “This is an excellent example of a mutually beneficial partnership between the public and private sectors for the greater good. A collaboration characterized by consistency and effectiveness throughout its course so far. Additionally, it is a practical example we are proud to share with the global Microsoft ecosystem, demonstrating how a country can develop and create opportunities through digital innovation.”