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7 clusters · 14 sources · 46 days · First seen · Last updated

Private sector support for Greek educational infrastructure

Overview

Educational infrastructure in Greece is receiving significant private sector support through large-scale donations and renovation projects.

In Ioannina, the National Bank of Greece has moved toward a formal agreement to donate and fully fund the renovation of three historic school buildings: the Pavlidou, Elisavetou, and Valaneiou schools. The Municipal Committee of Ioannina has approved the preliminary acceptance of this donation, which marks the first institutional step toward transferring full ownership, possession, and control of the properties to the Municipality. This transition ensures the buildings' permanent public and educational status, replacing a previous loan agreement with the Ioannina Charitable Stores that was set to run until 2039. The National Bank of Greece has committed to renovating the three complexes at an estimated cost of approximately 900,000 euros.

Simultaneously, the Public Onassis Schools project, supported by a 160 million euro donation from the Onassis Foundation, has expanded to 20 units. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the network grew from 12 to 20 locations, including eight new middle and high schools in Aigaleo, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Pyrgos. These schools, part of the DEMOS network, provide modern infrastructure, STEM laboratories, and specialized extracurricular clubs ranging from robotics to criminology.

During a visit to the Onassis Kolonou Gymnasium and Lyceum, Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of State Akis Skertsos, and Onassis Foundation President Antonis S. Papadimitriou observed the facilities. Minister Zacharaki noted that the practices established within the DEMOS network, such as robotics, rhetoric, and entrepreneurship programs, represent a model that should be implemented in general schools across the country.

Beyond the Onassis initiative, other renovation efforts are active, such as the ‘Marietta Giannakou’ program, which has integrated 47 school units in Crete over the last two years.

Entities

Onassis Foundation · Sofia Zacharaki · Heraklion · National Bank of Greece · Municipality of Ioannina

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Greek officials visit Onassis Kolonou school and DEMOS network

    Greek officials Sofia Zacharaki, Akis Skertsos, and Antonis St. Papadimitriou visited the Onassis Kolonou school to review STEM facilities and the DEMOS educational network funded by the Onassis Foundation.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    National Bank of Greece to donate and renovate three schools in Ioannina

    The Municipality of Ioannina has approved a donation from the National Bank of Greece for three historic schools, including a 900,000 euro commitment for their full renovation.

  3. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Public Onassis Schools expand to 20 units in Greece

    The Public Onassis Schools are expanding from 12 to 20 units in Greece for the 2026-2027 school year, adding new facilities in Aigaleo, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Pyrgos with Onassis Foundation funding.

  4. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greece to expand Onasi Public Schools model to all middle schools

    Greek Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki aims to expand the Onasi Public Schools model to all middle schools by 2027, following the addition of two new units in Heraklion.

  5. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Onassis Public Schools expand to 20 units across Greece

    The Onassis Public Schools program is expanding to 20 units across Greece, including new schools in Rhodes, Crete, and Aegaleo, supported by infrastructure upgrades from the Onassis Foundation.

  6. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Public Onassis Schools expand with eight new units in Greece

    The Public Onassis Schools project expands to 20 units in Greece, utilizing a 160 million euro donation to foster educational innovation and infrastructure upgrades.

  7. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    National Bank of Greece to donate and renovate three schools in Ioannina

    The National Bank of Greece will donate and fully renovate three historic school buildings in Ioannina, securing educational facilities for approximately 700 students.

Sources

alfavita.gr · athina984.gr · businessdaily.gr · dimokratiki.gr · economistas.gr · efsyn.gr · enikos.gr · epirus-tv-news.gr · esos.gr · healthweb.gr · ipaidia.gr · lifo.gr · super-fm.gr · veriotis.gr

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history