288 unemployed people placed in 225 businesses through regional employment initiatives
A total of 288 unemployed people have found jobs at 225 businesses in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace through employment initiatives implemented by the regional authority, Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis said at an event organised by the European Labour Authority (ELA) and EURES.
The event, titled “Workforce and Regional Development,” was held on Friday, October 2, in Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) and focused on labour-market challenges in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as well as European tools available to support workers, jobseekers and businesses. ELA officially listed the event as a joint initiative with the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Topsidis welcomed ELA Executive Director Cosmin Boiangiu and said that the availability of workers with the skills required by the regional economy was a key factor for development.
He later took part in a panel discussion on employment and regional development alongside, among others, DYPA Governor Gianna Chormova, presenting initiatives implemented by the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace to support employment, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
288 UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE FIND JOBS
According to figures presented by the regional authority, employment measures targeting new jobs and new self-employed professionals have helped 288 highly qualified unemployed people find work at 225 businesses across the region.
More than 60 unemployed young people have also been given the opportunity to establish their own businesses, according to the figures presented at the event.
In addition, 25 social and solidarity economy initiatives have received a total of €2 million in support.
The region also highlighted employment programmes implemented in cooperation with Greece's Public Employment Service (DYPA). Under one such programme, 127 people aged over 55 worked in regional government services, while another 127 employees are expected to be employed through the programme's new cycle.
FOCUS ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The regional authority also highlighted measures aimed at increasing the participation of people with disabilities in the labour market.
Through a specialised DYPA programme, the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace hired 48 people with disabilities, who are working across services in all five regional units.
The authority also referred to a new STEP funding call worth up to €10 million for the region, alongside new funding instruments supporting research, innovation and the upgrading of workers' skills.
Topsidis said the region's objective was to create more and better-quality jobs while establishing conditions that would encourage young people to remain in their home region.
ELA AND EURES HIGHLIGHT REGIONAL LABOUR CHALLENGES
The ELA-EURES event brought together representatives of European and Greek labour authorities to discuss workforce needs and regional development.
According to ELA, the meeting aimed to highlight challenges facing businesses and local labour markets in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace while presenting European tools and practices that can help address labour shortages and support employment. The programme also featured findings from the EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses and examined the role of labour mobility within the European Union.
ELA Executive Director Cosmin Boiangiu has held the position since December 2020 and was reappointed for a further five-year term beginning in December 2025.
On the sidelines of the event, Topsidis and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Deputy Regional Governor for Sports and Employment Stelios Ignatiadis also met with DYPA Governor Gianna Chormova to discuss local labour-market needs, the use of available employment programmes and continued cooperation between the institutions.
