What are the issues at stake?

In Europe, according to Eurocarers, 80% of all care is provided by informal carers – i.e. people who provide unpaid care to someone with a chronic illness, disability or other long-lasting health or care need, outside of a professional or formal framework. The contribution of these carers constitutes a great resource for Greek society but their role is not always recognised. Delivering a wide range of support services such as personal care, housekeeping, transportation, care and financial management as well as emotional support, carers often offer the most comprehensive and desirable option for people in need of care.

Caring for a loved one can be a source of great personal satisfaction but it does create its own set of challenges. These can include physical and mental health problems, a feeling of isolation, difficulty in balancing paid work with care responsibilities, perhaps even financial worries as social provisions are cut back. Advances in medicine also mean that carers find themselves having to deliver more and more sophisticated levels of care, with very little training and minimal support.

Our w o r k :

EPIONI is a non-profit organization which is governed by its Board of Directors, supported by a Scientific Committee and an Audit Committee. The organization’s General Assembly takes place in December each year.

Our aim is to advocate for continuous and quality support services for individuals who work as informal, unpaid carers of family members or friends who are struggling with physical or mental illness, disability or addiction.

Our services include information and experience sharing on good practices, providing carers with practical advice and emotional support, as well as facilitating the development of problem-solving skills. We also strive to help service users identify and utilize available resources from their local communities. In order to further promote and realize our vision for informal carers in Greece, EPIONI is also actively involved in promoting key policy changes through government legislation.

More specifically, our main goals can be summarized as follows:

1) Supporting Informal Carers in Greece, irrespective of their age or the particular health need of the person they are caring for.

2) Documenting and raising awareness about the significant contribution made by Informal Carers to the Greek health and social care system and the economy as a whole, and of the need to safeguard this contribution.

3) Advocating for national policies that take account of carers, i.e. promote their social inclusion, the development of support services, enable them to remain active in paid employment and maintain a social life.

You can read our leaflet in English or Greek

EPIONI S t r u c t u r e :

View the EPIONI Statutes

View the EPIONI Structure

View the EPIONI Board of Directors

Data Protection Officer: info(@)epioni.gr – Mr. Nikos Schetakis

European F r a m e w o r k :

View the Eurocarers document containing the rationale and framework for an EU-level initiative on carers

View the Eurocarers document regarding the European Pillar on social rights and Carers

View the Eurocarers document regarding the The Work Life Balance Directive and what is in it for carers.

Jobs / I n t e r s h i p s :

Build your resume, gain practical work skills and experience. EPIONI Communication and Policy Internship Program provides you with a four week placement in Athens. Contact us

“I am Rafael Augusto from Brazil and in 2017 I worked as volunteer for EPIONI, in Athens. EPIONI is an NGO that focuses on bringing awareness for formal and informal caregivers in Greece. I’ve been helping the team for their communication and marketing plans and it has been a great opportunity to test my skills an to engage in an important activity”

A d d r e s s :

15 Victoros Ougko St., Metaxourgio – P.C. 10437, Athens, Greece

Contact u s »

Information Tel/Fax: +302118507085

VAT registration number / AFM: 997 021 473 DOY: A’ ATHINON

District Court registration number: 31660 – Recognition order number: 174/2017

Surveillance authority: City of Athens

Hellenic Registry of Non-Profit Private Sector entities providing social care services: 09121ΣΥΕ11096Ο68Ν 1552

Hellenic Register of Voluntary Non-Governmental Organizations: 09121ΣΥΕ11096Ο68Ν 1438

European Transparency register number: 049767927777-58

EuropeAid ID: GR-2017-EXL-0711824421

Erasmus+ PIC number: 916082454

Support E P I O N I :

EPIONI Bank Accounts:

Alpha Bank:	GR6501401040104002002026626 / SWIFT/BIC: CRBAGRAA
Eurobank Ergasias:	GR8002605230000390100185095 / SWIFT/ BIC: ERBKGRAA

Piraeus Bank: GR0401720390005039089577014 / SWIFT / BIC: PIRBGRAA
National Bank of Greece: GR8201101080000010800189705 / SWIFT / BIC : ETHNGRAA