Eastern Macedonia and Thrace grapples with poverty amid new childcare voucher rollout

The regional government of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, led by Governor Christodoulos Topsidis, presented a financial report highlighting large expenditures and savings, but opposition parties say the figures mask stark social realities. They note that 29 % of residents live in poverty, the region remains among the EU’s ten poorest, and population decline and brain drain continue unchecked.

The Independent Union Initiative, the main opposition, has called for a "Real Prosperity Index" and greater investment in local products and employment links with the Democritus University of Thrace. In contrast, the administration announced a €3.95 million childcare voucher scheme co‑financed by the EU Social Fund, targeting 9,406 voucher recipients and 11,250 children, including those with disabilities, to improve access to early‑education and creative‑work services for families.