The Workshop “PANAGIA ELEOUSA” is the fruit of the vision and initiative of the founder, Mrs. Maria Tsoutsou, mother of Georgios Tsoutsou, a child with intellectual disability, supported by distinguished citizens of the cities of Messolonghi and Agrinio, which was founded in 1990.At times of exclusion of people with intellectual disabilities and their families from society, the Workshop “PANAGIA ELEOUSA” is the first center for special education, training and social inclusion for people with intellectual and related disabilities in the prefecture of Etoloakarnania, freeing these individuals from social exclusion and marginalization and claiming their dignity.

It is a Private Law Legal Entity, of non-profitable nature, certified as an Institution of First Degree and Second-Degree Social Care by the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity.

It provides lifelong education and training, accompanying support services as well as care to 180 people, trainable and exercisable, with intellectual and related disabilities, motor, sensory, speech, mild mental disorders, autism, Down syndrome and other, over 15 years of age, from the entire prefecture of Etoloakarnania, completely free of charge.

It also provides Accompanying Support Services to their families, completely free of charge.

The training of the young people of the Workshop aims at developing their individual and social skills in lifelong learning, education, vocational training in workshops of sewing, silk-screening, waxwork, floriculture, folk art, artificial aging of images, textiles, ceramics, confectionery-bakery, bookbinding, office work, computers, environmental education, etc. The workshops produce handmade products, which are available on the market through our two showrooms, in Messolonghi and Agrinio.

For people deprived of parental care, the Workshop established and operates three model Supported Living Facilities-Boarding Houses in Messolonghi and Agrinio, through the NSRF, where a total of twenty-seven people with disabilities reside.

In Messolonghi, in addition to the Educational Centre, there is the “Nautical Sports-Environmental Center”, which operates as a day care center, a space for environmental, sports and cultural activities for the young people of our Workshop, as well as an autism department. The summer camp also operates in the same area, during the period when the Day Care Center is not operating, since the center is located in the Messolonghi Lagoon, an area of ​​particular natural beauty.

With the aim of raising awareness among society as a whole and the social inclusion of young people, the young trainees participate in parades during national anniversaries, in cultural activities, within the prefecture and throughout Greece, with the theater group, the folklore group of traditional dances and the choir. With the sports team, it participates in Special Olympics competitions. It also organizes events, meetings, and conferences with the participation of important personalities from Greece and abroad. It publishes a calendar and the magazine “Pleiades” once a year.

It also obtained the EQUASS EXCELLENCE certification for best practice in the field of social services five times (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020) from the European platform E.P.R. on rehabilitation issues after evaluation.

Since 2024, the Workshop “PANAGIA ELEOUSA” has been certified with EN ISO 9001:2015 for the provision of quality services to people with intellectual disabilities.

The Association for the Care of People with Disabilities of Rodopi Prefecture “axiZO” was founded in 1981 by parents of individuals with intellectual disabilities and concerned citizens of the Rodopi region. Since then, our primary goal and main mission has been the protection and support of individuals with intellectual disabilities in Rodopi and, more broadly, throughout the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

In 2018, we inaugurated our Day Care Center, which was built on privately owned land and is fully equipped and staffed by 63 professionals including scientific, support, and administrative personnel. The center currently serves 72 individuals, both adults and minors with intellectual disabilities, offering recreational, educational, creative, and support programs.

In July 2020, we began operating the first three Supported Living Residences in the Rodopi region, accommodating 9 adults with intellectual disabilities who reside there on a 24/7 basis. In March 2022, we opened our fourth residence, hosting 4 beneficiaries, and in October 2022, we launched a fifth residence, currently home to 3 residents. The individuals living in these homes feel they are truly at home and view their co-residents as family.

In 2020, we established a Music Workshop, as part of a program supported by the Bodossaki Foundation, which, combined with the Ministry of Culture programs we participate in annually, has enabled ongoing access to cultural activities through theatrical and musical performances and the creation of artistic workshops.

In October 2021, we founded the private capital company “axiZO,” which supports the work of our Association. The company was created to actively contribute to our mission and is involved in the production of jams, spoon sweets, pasta, sauces, and various handmade crafts. What sets our company apart is that, alongside employees with typical development, individuals with intellectual disabilities are also employed.

Through their work, we have paved the way for greater accessibility to employment for people with intellectual disabilities and, more importantly, have broken down stereotypes and prejudices surrounding intellectual disabilities in the workplace. For this effort, our Association received the “Highly Commended” distinction in the “Socially Inclusive and Innovative Future” category of the awards organized by the European Network for Rural Development.

In January 2023, we launched our Counseling Center, a facility that provides support and guidance to families of children with intellectual disabilities and autism, and also functions as an early intervention center. This gives new parents timely and direct access to therapies for their children, allowing for immediate response to potential issues and offering proper guidance and support from trained professionals.

Finally, our Association holds Special Certification for Primary and Secondary Social Care as well as ISO 9001:2015 Certification from TUV HELLAS S.A. for all its structures.

The Hospice for neuro – disabilities is a public benefit, not-for-profit charitable organization which exists solely to serve its philanthropic goals. Since 1893, its specially-trained staff (doctors and nurses) have provided full medical and nursing care to thousands of patients with chronic conditions but no personal funds, along with financial assistance. The Hospice has also relieved families of the heavy burden of caring for their loved ones at home.

It is managed by an 11-member Board of Directors and operates as a legal entity governed by Private Law. Its financial resources stem exclusively from the rental and leasing of Hospice-owned property and contributions from supportive individuals, institutions, companies and societies. It operates without government funding of any sort.

In 1972, in order to achieve the goals for which it was established, the Hospice for the Disabled established the Foundation for People with Neurological Illnesses.

Today, the Foundation cares for around 110 beneficiaries from every part of Greece. Paraplegic or tetraplegic, stroke victims or suffering from multiple sclerosis or other conditions of the central nervous system, all face mobility issues. A full 80% of our beneficiaries are bed-bound and incontinent. The Foundation takes in people whose incurable illnesses render them incapable of looking after themselves.

Our only condition for entry is that an individual is not suffering from a psychiatric or infectious illness, has hard-to heal wounds, acute conditions or a cancer which requires special treatment. Our beneficiaries remain in the Foundation until the end of their lives; generally, they require increased medical, nursing and pharmaceutical care during the final stages of their struggle. A staff of 110 specialists provide them with 24-hour support.

The Center for Special Education of Children & Adults with Disabilities “Horizontes” is a certified association of parents and guardians of individuals with disabilities, based in Attica, with extensive experience in education, promoting social participation, and supporting independent living for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Since its establishment in 1997, it has supported over 100 families annually, offering services aimed at the holistic empowerment of beneficiaries and their families, with respect for their needs, interests, and capabilities.

The core pillars of its activities include:

• Specialized educational programs for adults with intellectual disabilities, enhancing learning, maintaining daily living skills, and fostering autonomy in a stable, supportive environment.
• Care and hosting facilities, such as the Day Care and Daily Support Center in Ilioupoli, with a capacity of 104 places, providing personalized support and high-quality daily engagement.
• Peer-to-peer support groups for parents and caregivers, empowering families through collectivity, experience sharing, and psychosocial support.
• Social entrepreneurship initiatives, such as the Social Cooperative Enterprise “To Pareaki – Open Horizons,” creating employment opportunities and community integration.
• Supported Living Residences, such as “Open Horizons – Mary Vrettou 1 & 2,” offering a safe, friendly, and empowering living environment aimed at maximizing autonomy.
• Recreational three-day and weekend programs for beneficiaries and families, designed to provide respite for families and further socialize beneficiaries outside their educational and family settings.

“Horizontes” leads efforts to develop innovative support structures and social care across the country, emphasizing inclusion, dignity, and equal participation of individuals with disabilities in social and professional life.

Committed to the values of human rights and equality, the organization envisions a society where every person, regardless of abilities, has a voice, a role, and genuine opportunities.

The Non-profit Company “AMALTHEIA” is a company for mental and social rehabilitation, which was founded in 2006 in the region of Tripoli, under the statutes of the Ministry of Health and more specifically the Mental Health Directorate. After obtaining the necessary authorisation to establish and operate, it started providing its services free of charge to the public in 2008 in the field of mental health.

The establishment of the Company was the vision of people who wanted to contribute to improving the daily life and destigmatization of people with mental disorders in order to reduce as much as possible their social exclusion.

After 17 consecutive years of operation in the field of mental health and more specifically in the 6th Health Region where we are part of, we are proud of the quality of the services we have provided to hundreds of our fellows as well as of the uninterrupted work we continue to produce, expanding our services to more mental health spectrums with new programs and structures and continuous social actions.

The Association of Parents, Guardians and Friends of PWDs “To Ergastiri” aims to help the social integration and general well-being of adults with intellectual disabilities. Our activities aim to provide quality services and create new opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. As well as psychological support, counselling, supporting the development of self-image and identity, education, maintaining family structure and relationships and increasing social consciousness.

“To Ergastiri” offers occupational training and integration of those who are capable and wish to enter the free labor market. Training workshops include sections on baking, laundry, weaving, ceramics, gardening, general crafts and bead and herb processing.

“To Ergastiri” trains and supports 100 adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. Our organization employs approximately 40 permanent staff members. The continuous training of our staff takes place through international conferences, seminars and transnational projects focusing on new developments in the field of intellectual disability and modern educational approaches.

“To Ergastiri” is the first organization that provided Supported Living programs for people with disabilities in Greece. Through our activity program and positive mentoring, residents gain important life skills and reach their full potential while taking on their assigned social roles. We are active in various sectors both nationally and at European level, we actively seek our involvement in projects in relation to the arts, sport and best practices that we can use for the benefit of the people who receive our services.

“To Ergastiri” is a pioneer in the integration of assistive technologies into a supported living environment and everyday life.

We focus on active aging initiatives for people with intellectual disabilities and see our organization as a leader in developing methodologies to further improve the quality of life of our beneficiaries and their families.

The association was founded in 1998 by a small group of parents with the undivided support of friends of fellow citizens and the contribution of the late Takis Dimitrakopoulos, with the aim of supporting people with autism in the region and their families.  Today, the activities of the association have a nationwide scope.

The aims of the Association

• to inform and raise awareness of local authorities and the community on autism issues
• to identify people with autism in the region in cooperation with the local authorities
• organising conferences, information workshops and educational programmes
• cooperation with experts in research on autism promotion
• the creation of educational and living structures.

The Structures

The Association operates three facilities for people with autism, which are funded and supervised by the Ministry of Health – Mental Health Directorate. Some of the running costs are covered by donations from parents and individuals.

Freedom Boarding School: this is a home for twelve adults with severe to moderate autism and severe behavioural problems. It operates year-round on a 24-hour basis.

HARA I Day Centre: Section 1: a programme for adults with severe to moderate autism. Section 2: “Autonomous Community Participation – ASK” for high-functioning individuals.

HARA II Day Centre: Section 1: Early intervention morning programme for children aged 2.5 to 5 years. Section 2: Afternoon programme for children aged 5 to 10 years.  In both sections, support and education is provided to the family at home.

“Distance psychoeducation and family support service and home help for caregivers of people with autism“. The action is funded by the Ministry of Health and it is possible to contact them in person, by telephone or online.

ESTIA was founded in 1982 by parents and friends of people with intellectual disabilities and is a Private Legal Entity, a specially recognised charity supervised by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family.

At the Day Care Centre (CDIF) in Neo Psychiko, it offers vocational training, social integration, supported employment, sports and creative expression programmes to 78 people with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities, aged 15 years and over. ESTIA implements and participates for many years in national and European projects.

In 2010, ESTIA proceeded to create a network of Supported Living Houses to provide safe and dignified accommodation for its individuals. Today, it operates four shelters, in Melissia, Neo Psychiko, Pikermi and Vrilissia, Attica.

ESTIA is managed by a 7-member Board of Directors, employs 50 employees and 100 volunteers. ESTIA is certified with EN ISO 9001:2018 by TUV AUSTRIA HELLAS.

In 2016 it was awarded by the Academy of Athens for its important work.

ESTIA AGIOS NIKOLAOS is an award-winning life-sharing community where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers live, create and grow together. The community members, of whom only one-third have disabilities, are residents as well as day participants from the region.

The Purpose of ESTIA is all-encompassing inclusion and the enrichment of each member’s life, so that everyone may fulfill their dreams and aspirations both within ESTIA and in the local area – throughout their lives. The spectrum of needs we are tasked to cover is vast, from old age and dementia to the development of the special abilities of our youngest members with autism, to even the enabling of full immersion into the local society for those members who can live and work semi-independently.

ESTIA has been operating in Galaxidi since 1993 and is a subsidiary of a German Foundation of the same name. Because of its unique way of operating, ESTIA was recognized as a potential model for non-institutional care since its inception and awarded the coveted “Public Benefit Institution” status by the Greek State. ESTIA has three Homes for Assisted Living (SYD) licenses, (two of which are operational and financed by European Regional Funds) and a Day Care Center license, which operates for our members and people from the area.

The Organisation for the Protection of Persons with Autism – Pervasive Developmental Disorders (P.D.D.) of the prefecture of Kastoria was set up in March 2006 by three families of children with autism that live in the area. The initiative was backed up by family members and friends and soon developed into a non-governmental, non-profit body currently supported by almost 300 members, 35 of which are people with autism.

The Organisation has received a certification as a non-profit, non-governmental body that provides social care services and is supervised by the Hellenic Ministry of Health.

 Initiatives and Actions

Since its creation in 2006 the Organisation has undertaken a number of initiatives, the most notable of which include the following:

• Establishing and running a Day Centre for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism (since 2012)
• Running volunteering schemes like “Befriending” (since 2008)
• Promoting positive awareness about autism in the community (including festivals and theatrical performances)
• Providing training (including seminars and workshops)
• Actively participating in local and national actions for the protection of rights of people with autism (including petitions, public representation)