The Greek government has unveiled an ambitious €8 billion programme, funded by the European Union, aimed at addressing key national challenges in energy, housing, transport, and social support.
The initiative, announced at an inter-ministerial press conference led by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, will draw funds from the Social Climate Fund, the Modernisation Fund, and the newly created Island Resilience Fund.
Among the priorities are the electrical interconnection of the Dodecanese, North Aegean, and Cyclades islands — expected to reduce utility costs for consumers — and subsidies for energy upgrades to homes and commercial buildings.
A strong focus is being placed on support for low-income households, including heating allowances, rent subsidies, and the development of social housing. University dormitory renovations are also included to ease student accommodation shortages.
Transport improvements feature heavily, with plans to procure electric buses for Athens and Thessaloniki and a significant upgrade of the Athens metro. Water scarcity will be tackled through desalination and dam projects.
Further measures include targeted support for micro-enterprises to modernise their energy use, investments in industrial energy-saving technology, subsidies for public sector workers in housing-stressed regions, and efforts to improve the energy efficiency of ships in collaboration with Greek shipyards.
Source: Ekathimerini
