Eight special programmes for groups of unemployed people such as the long-term unemployed and people outside the labour market who are close to retirement age are being implemented by Public Employment Service (DYPA).

The programmes target 38,900 unemployed people, covering different regions of the country and focusing on specific groups of unemployed people, such as those who have lost their jobs due to unemployment, those who are unable to find work and those who are close to retirement. The specific programmes are as follows:

1. A programme of 3,400 new jobs in the lignite areas, lasting 12-18 months. The rate of subsidy for salary and contributions is 75100%, up to 16,794 euros. It concerns companies operating in the Region of Western Macedonia and in the municipalities of Megalopolis, Tripoli, Gortynia, Sparta, Oichalia and Kalamata, of the Region of Peloponnese .

Work Experience Programmes of the CYPA

2. Work experience programme for 3,000 positions in lignite areas, lasting 7 months, with a 100% subsidy on wages and contributions. The programme concerns private sector enterprises, as well as enterprises, public sector institutions and organisations and local government enterprises in the Region of Western Macedonia and in areas of the Peloponnese Region (Municipalities of Megalopolis, Tripoli, Gortynia, Sparta, Oichalia, Kalamata).

3. Employment programme for 10,000 long-term unemployed people aged 45 and over, for a period of 18 months. The rate of subsidy for salary and contributions is 80%, up to 13,709 euros. Beneficiaries are private enterprises and general private sector employers engaged in regular economic activity.

4. An employment programme for 10,000 unemployed people facing significant barriers to reintegration into the labour market, lasting 12-24 months, with a 75% subsidy on wages and contributions, up to 16,800 euros. It concerns unemployed people belonging to specific and vulnerable social groups.

Long term unemployed

5. Employment programme for 6,500 long-term unemployed 55-67 year olds. The programme has a duration of 24 months and the subsidy rate for salary and contributions is 75%, up to €18,000.

6. Employment programme for 3,000 unemployed persons aged 56 years and over who completed the employment programme for long-term unemployed persons aged 55-67 years, lasting 12 months, with a grant of 8,580 euros.

7. Grant programme for business employment initiatives for young freelancers aged 20 to 44 years old, belonging to marginalised social groups such as Roma, in 7 Administrative Regions.

8. Grant programme for the employment of 3,220 young freelancers aged 30 to 45 years old, in the Less Developed Regions (LDCs) and in the Region of Western Macedonia, with emphasis on the digital economy (2nd cycle).