PRESS RELEASE
Athens | 8 October 2021
A two-day transnational project meeting on “Social Entrepreneurship Skills for Young CAREgivers of people with chronic Illness” was organized by Greek Carers Network EPIONI on September 23rd and 24th, 2021 in the context of the European Erasmus+ Project “SESYCARE”. The overall goal of the project is to summarize the body of knowledge about young carers’ lives focusing on their personal experiences, the impact of caring, needs and coping behaviors, and offer specific social entrepreneurship education and activities among this vulnerable population.
The SESYCARE transnational project meeting in Athens was attended by representatives from Greece, Belgium, Serbia, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, the Netherlands and Turkey who exchanged ideas on the first draft of good practices in the support of young caregivers who wish to develop their social entrepreneurial skills.
During the meeting, a focus group with young caregivers from the Netherlands and Sweden on the topic of “Young carers and why social entrepreneurship is relevant to them” was held. Young caregivers shared their own views and experiences. Mr Nikos Chrysogelos, a former MEP, gave a welcome speech and shared his best wishes for the SESYCARE project and for a fruitful exchange of good practices for informal caregivers. He introduced the social cooperative “Anemos Ananeosis” as well as the “Welcommon Hostel” which is a space in the center of Athens where events, exhibitions, and other performances can be hosted. The latter is regarded as an innovative proposal for sustainable tourism, innovation, art, social, and job integration based on the idea of “community”.
In addition a webinar on “Caring for Carers” took place during the second day of the meeting. The webinar was organized with the support of Mr Stelios Kympouropoulos, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), and Ms Marietta Giannakou, member of the Greek Parliament, as well as of the mayor of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni area, Mr Grigoris Konstantellos, who all underlined the need for additional support to informal careers.
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The webinar was chaired by Spyridon Zormpas, president of EPIONI who welcomed the project partners and participants and opened the meeting. Mr Zormpas welcomed the Officer of the European Parliament Office in Greece and warmly thanked the EU Liaison Office in Greece for its support, while he also expressed his appreciation towards Mr Chrysogelos, former MEP, and Mrs Marietta Giannakou, former MEP, and former Minister of Health. In this context, policymakers welcomed in turn the members of the partnership and wished all the best for the project’s cooperation.
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Mrs Marietta Giannakou underlined the good momentum for caregivers associations to contact politicians and advocate for the support of informal caregivers. After the welcome speeches, the project partners delivered presentations about the work of their organization, the state of play with respect to young carers in their respective countries, and their strategy of implementation of the project. Mr Stecy Yghemonos presented Eurocarers and the work that this umbrella organization does within the EU setting and referred to the consequences of COVID-19 on carers at the EU level.Mrs Kelly Panagiotopoulou talked about preventing depression among carers and Mr Dimitrios Nikolsky, representing the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, elaborated on the institution of the Personal Assistant. Mrs Noor Seghers from the KU Leuven University described the good practices in support of carers in Belgium. Last but not least, Mr Christos Prapas, faculty of the University of West Attica in Greece, pointed out the importance of supporting caregivers as a matter directly related to public and community health.
For further information about the SESYCARE you can contact us at info@sesycare.eu and info@epioni.gr or by phone at +30 211 850 7085.
Program: SESYCARE 23 & 24.9.21
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