The key role that regions play at the pan-European level in fostering social cohesion and providing meaningful support to the most vulnerable social groups, was analyzed today by the Regional Governor of Attica during his speech at the Annual Conference of the National Union of Regional Authorities (ENPE) in Rhodes.
G. Patoulis, who chaired the thematic session «Regions Standing with Citizens—Social Cohesion and Solidarity,» emphasized that amid the adverse circumstances created by the pandemic crisis and the consequences of the war in Ukraine, local government has demonstrated the essential role of the regional institution as a mechanism for, first and foremost, containing and addressing critical situations. This has also been demonstrated by the European experience, as «the model of regional governance has proven in practice to be the most successful model for the organization and operation of Europe’s powerful states, more productive, and, most importantly, closer to the citizen and his or her needs,» as he characteristically stated.
In addition to Mr. Patoulis, speakers in this session included Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs; Yiannis Tsakiris, Deputy Minister of Development and Investment, Irini Agapidakis, Secretary General of Public Health, Ioannis Paspalas, Head of the OPECA Managing Authority, Fani Spanos, Regional Governor of Central Greece; Panagiotis Nikas, Regional Governor of the Peloponnese, Nikolaos Papadakis, Vice President of EDSNA and Regional Councilor of Attica, and others.
Resolution on the Elimination of Violence Against Women
As part of the thematic session coordinated by Mr. Patoulis, a resolution by the ENPE was adopted to mark today’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The resolution was submitted by the ENPE Presidium and its members. The resolution articulates the long-standing, emphatic, and strong commitment of Greece’s Regions to combating the abuse of women and gender-based violence in general, while also expressing the ENPE’s strong commitment to collaborating with the state and relevant agencies to develop a national strategy for the elimination of violence against women. Mr. Patoulis described the resolution as a comprehensive document that constitutes the Second Level of Local Government’s structured proposal for combating this modern-day pandemic.
Regions Standing by Citizens – Social Cohesion and Solidarity
During his speech, G. Patoulis emphasized that there can be no strong protection of citizens unless the administrative model is decentralized. «There are obstacles that must be overcome immediately,» he said, citing examples of shortcomings in healthcare infrastructure in island regions: «No minister, no matter how effective, can coordinate thousands of people in every corner of Greece. Only the Regions and Municipalities, which have a direct stake in and knowledge of the local area, can find an immediate solution.» He further emphasized that in «the new Greece envisioned by the government, the role of local government is crucial to achieving the state’s efficiency and effectiveness.» «No society can move forward with citizens moving at different speeds,» emphasized G. Patoulis, adding: «For us, strengthening social cohesion is a priority; it is the strong foundation upon which we build our development framework,» making special mention of the institutional framework adopted by the EU for regional authorities, such as flexibility in the management of funds, the establishment of the temporary framework for business support, the ability to hire auxiliary medical staff such as doctors and nurses, and so on.
The Attica Region’s Contribution to Social Cohesion Initiatives
Next, G. Patoulis provided an overview of the social policy initiatives carried out by the Region through the Attica Regional Operational Program (ROP) 2014–2020 to alleviate the effects of the pandemic, allocating 250 εκ. to support approximately 10,000 small and micro-enterprises and 50 million to hire auxiliary staff, including 1,800 doctors and nurses.
He also made special mention of the Region’s consistent social policy, noting that «with a social budget exceeding 160 million euros, we support a wide range of 300 social programs, benefiting 220,000 people, while additionally funding vital initiatives to reconcile family and professional life, as well as educational support for the inclusion of students with disabilities.».
The Regional Governor of Attica expressed optimism regarding the strengthening of social policy through the new NSRF, which allocates 400 million euros for a wide range of new social initiatives, featuring significant innovations, such as the child guarantee, grants to social and solidarity economy organizations, support for active and healthy aging, the personal assistant and social caregiver program for people with disabilities, etc.
He even noted that the new NSRF provides for «flagship initiatives with a strong regional focus,» such as strengthening the Health KEPs, the creation of a regional mechanism for assessing labor market needs and a public health observatory, targeted initiatives to empower women in the labor market, the participation of disadvantaged groups in active social life, and the creation of the Rafina Paralympic Sports Center, a flagship project with a budget of 36 million.
«Solidarity and care for those in need are a priority for the Region of Attica,» stated G. Patoulis as he concluded his speech, adding: «Our work will become even more effective if the change in the state’s operating model is truly put into practice in Greece. If we dare—even if decades late—to place our trust in institutions that enjoy the confidence and acceptance of citizens and have proven in practice that they are capable. »Now, not tomorrow, is the time for regional governance.”.
