Attica Region to invest 1.5 million euros in Roma start-ups

The initiative focuses on building an integration policy from the perspective of small businesses within the community

On Monday, authorities in the Greek province of Attica, home to the capital city of Athens, announced a new programme to help with Roma integration. The programme is aimed at developing the minority into a vibrant entrepreneurial community by helping applicants go from unemployed to business owners.

The programme will cost the region around 1.5 million euros, with each applicant eligible to receive 14,800 in instalments every three months. The money will go towards funding small businesses, bringing a degree of productivity back into the community.

Eligibility

The programme is aimed at people who are already registered as unemployed with social services and are between the ages of 20 and 44. They also need to receive a certificate from a municipal centre of social service that they live in a Roma community.

The aid has a budget of 1.5 million euros and, according to an official statement, it will help fund the business ideas of 101 Roma. Attica Region plans to hand out 14,800 euros per person in three-month instalments after the participants are selected. People will have a chance to apply until 20 February 2023.

Applicants will also have to submit their business proposals, however, acceptable activities exclude kiosks, canteens, trucks and gambling establishments. The Regional Governor of Attica, Giorgos Patoulis, was quoted in a press statement explaining that all other barriers to entry on part of the authorities should be minimised in order for the social programme to succeed.

Governor Patoulis also pointed out that the programme's goal is to foster integration and eliminate inequalities and social exclusion. Furthermore, he stated that this was just the beginning of social programmes aimed at the Roma community.