New subsidized jobs open in Western Macedonia for unemployed workers and businesses

A new round of applications for subsidized jobs in Western Macedonia opens on Thursday, September 3, at 1 p.m. Businesses can apply for positions covered by an additional budget of €2,034,597.20.

The program, run by Greece’s Public Employment Service, forms part of the Fair Development Transition plan for Western Macedonia and Megalopolis, neighboring municipalities in the Peloponnese, small North and South Aegean islands, and Crete’s Gavdos, where the population is below 3,100. The areas have been affected by the consequences of the lignite phaseout.

The scheme supports the creation of 2,700 new full-time jobs for people registered with the Public Employment Service’s unemployment registry. Subsidies last 12 months. They cover 70 percent of wages and contributions for ordinary unemployed applicants, up to €829.50 per month or €9,954 in total.

For unemployed people covered by the Fair Development Transition definition, the subsidy reaches 100 percent, or €1,185 per month and €14,220 in total. This includes people who previously worked in declining or transforming sectors, such as lignite mining, conventional electricity generation, and electricity distribution and trading.

Applications remain open in Megalopolis and neighboring municipalities, the small North and South Aegean islands, and Gavdos until the additional budget is exhausted. The action receives co-financing from the European Union’s Just Transition Fund and national funds, with total co-financed public spending of €29,963,800. Companies must apply online through the Ministry of National Economy and Finance’s state-aid information system.