Works in 56 public schools and 4 public health units of Thrace, as well as actions for the promotion of mental health, were carried out in the school year 2024-2025 by Together for Children.

The actions were carried out in the framework of the “Together in the Akritis” programme, which since 2019 supports equal access to education, sports, health, and mental health for children and young people in remote and border areas of Greece.

Education

Through the project, Together for Children carried out interventions in 56 primary and secondary education schools in Thrace, specifically in the regions of Xanthi, Avdira, Topirou, Miki, Komotini, Iasmos, and Alexandroupolis, supporting 6,494 students, 841 teachers with more than 19,000 pieces of equipment and educational material.

The equipment provided was tailored to the specific needs of each school unit, after a visit and evaluation of requests by the Together for Children team and in collaboration with teachers.

Specifically, 16 inquiry learning-STEM classrooms were created, 22 libraries and reading corners were strengthened, 6 computer labs, 5 science labs, a robotics room, and a reception area were modernized, and 25 classrooms and a sensory integration room were upgraded.

Through the project interventions, collaboration, creativity, innovation, digital literacy, and exposure to new sciences were enhanced, contributing to the development of knowledge and life skills of students.

The interventions of the project include special education with the upgrading of an integration section at the Archery Primary School, the equipping of 2 special schools, the Special Kindergarten of Sminthis, and the Special Primary School of Echinou with adapted educational materials and tools for the development of daily and motor skills. In addition, a sensory integration room was created at the Special Primary School of Echinou.

Sport & Play

Special emphasis was placed on play and sport by upgrading indoor and outdoor spaces through the donation of psychomotor education materials and games to 30 schools. At the same time, a school gym was modernized at the 4th & 6th High School of Xanthi.

The interventions in the field of education and sports were carried out with the generous support of Trafigura Foundation & Trafigura Maritime Ventures, PPC, Skroutz, Piraeus Bank, and Mrs. Kyveli Alexiou.

Health and Mental Health

Together for Children supported the General Hospital of Xanthi and the Health Centers of Echinou, Avdira, and Stavroupoli, offering upgraded health services to 2,500 children from 101 settlements. Through these interventions, the health infrastructure of the local community is being strengthened, ensuring that every child and his/her family has access to quality and effective care.

The strengthening of the health facilities was implemented thanks to the contribution of Trafigura Foundation & Trafigura Maritime Ventures and PRODEA Investments.

Recognizing the importance of mental health, the scientific team of Together for Children implemented, in person and online, 17 free educational seminars, in which 725 parents participated. The aim was to empower and support parents and teachers in Thrace on issues of prevention and psycho-emotional development of children. The seminars covered a variety of topics such as: adolescence, anger management, self-esteem, sibling relationship, stress recognition and management, and communication in the family.

At the same time, in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of Education of Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, a speech by the Scientific Director of Together for Children, Argyris Strigaris, MD, PhD, was successfully organized, FRCPsych, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and University College London (UCL) on “Anxiety & Anger in Adolescence”, which was attended by more than 200 teachers, pupils and students in Komotini.

Consultants, students, teachers, lecturers, and students from all over the world attended the conference.

More than 200,000 students and teachers from all over the world attended the conference.
Finally, the scientific team of Together for Children conducted an online training for 98 school social workers of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace on the topic “Adolescence and Challenges”.

The free psycho-educational seminars were conducted with the contribution of Eurobank, PPC and Trafigura Foundation & Trafigura Maritime Ventures.

As Ms Tatiana Mouloulouli, Programme Manager of “Together in the Akritis” said. For the past six years, we have been consistently standing by the children and teachers of the region, and this relationship has become an important part of the heart of Together for Children. We see schools changing, classrooms coming to life, and educational communities empowered with new capabilities and tools. Each time we return, our belief that all children deserve an environment that inspires, supports, and gives them room to grow is reaffirmed. We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors, who stand as valuable companions on this journey of giving and meaningful change.”

Together for Children implements the “Together in the Outlying Regions” program, which aims, among other things, to empower outlying regions of Greece through the donation of educational material and equipment to educational units, ensuring equal access to quality education for students.