The charitable Theotokos Foundation and INSETE launch a strategic partnership that paves the way for the meaningful inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum in the tourism and hospitality labor market, through a coherent framework of training, skill development, and professional empowerment.
With the participation of numerous representatives of the State, social partners, and tourism bodies, the Memorandum of Cooperation between the two organizations was presented in detail today at the Zappeion Megaron, during a special event titled “Joining Forces – Creating Opportunities.”
Overall, the partnership aims to bridge education with the labor market, creating structured pathways to professional integration for individuals with developmental disorders, while also responding to the tourism sector’s real needs for human resources.
“Today’s event is not merely the presentation of a Memorandum of Cooperation. It marks the beginning of a strategic partnership with one of the most important sectors of the Greek economy: tourism and hospitality. It is a joint effort to create new, real possibilities for access to employment for individuals on the autism spectrum,” stated Mr. Panagis Karellas, Chairman of the Board of the Theotokos Foundation.
G. Vernikos: Serving Greek Tourism with Values
Furthermore, Mr. Giorgos Vernikos, Chairman of the Board of INSETE, stated:
“Our cooperation with the Theotokos Foundation is a collective commitment. A decision to serve Greek tourism with values. A tourism sector that creates opportunities for all. In our field, people are the heart of the experience. Human diversity makes us more creative, more adaptable, more open. With this Memorandum, we aim to enhance access for individuals on the autism spectrum to the labor market; to contribute to their professional empowerment so they may participate meaningfully, equally, and with confidence. I hope our cooperation becomes a model to follow and a starting point for even more initiatives that make a difference in other sectors of the economy as well.”
Former Prime Minister Mr. Panagiotis Pikrammenos noted that, in a demanding era with heightened social challenges, the work of the Theotokos Foundation constitutes a substantial act of offering to people with special needs. He referred to his visit to the Foundation, where he witnessed firsthand the quality and dedication of its work, and emphasized that today’s collaboration is an important step in social empowerment. He extended his best wishes for success to the partnership being launched.
Minister of State Mr. Akis Skertsos stated that in recent years the Government has been working systematically to change the reality for persons with disabilities, creating a mechanism of policies and practices that responds to the diverse needs of each community. He stressed that there are no blanket solutions to such complex issues and that targeted interventions, coordination, and synergies are required. Referring to the partnership between the Theotokos Foundation and INSETE, he noted that it represents a positive example of a new social dialogue and called on other voluntary organizations to contribute in the same direction, in order to collectively strengthen opportunities for those who need them most.
Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Ms. Sofia Zacharaki emphasized that individuals on the autism spectrum can not only meet expectations but excel. She welcomed the cooperation between the Theotokos Foundation and the tourism sector as a bridge between education and employment, and congratulated the young men and women who boldly claim the place they deserve in society. She noted that the Ministry will support every such effort, as it promotes truly inclusive education, with universal access to knowledge, new special education units, and new inclusion classes across the country.
Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Ms. Domna Michailidou stated, among other things, that the cooperation between the Theotokos Foundation and INSETE responds to a real need, as there are people with abilities and the desire to work but often without the opportunities they require. She emphasized that the State supports children and adults with disabilities from an early age and consistently, enhancing their autonomy and access to education and employment. She noted that success depends not only on public policies but also on initiatives like today’s, and congratulated the two organizations for their professionalism and vision, expressing confidence that this partnership will vindicate everyone’s efforts.
Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos noted that, while Greece has significant structures for education and pre-vocational training for individuals with disabilities, the transition to real, non-subsidized employment remains the most demanding and difficult phase of integration. He stressed that today’s initiative is truly pioneering, as tourism businesses take an active role in training and creating suitable work environments for individuals on the autism spectrum. As he highlighted, this collaboration goes beyond existing models of social cooperatives and opens new paths for meaningful inclusion, expressing his warm congratulations to both organizations.
Member of the European Parliament Ms. Eleonora Meleti emphasized that the Theotokos Foundation offers a humane and supportive environment where children and young people find real opportunities for development. She referred to her visits to the Foundation, where she observed the progress and strength of the beneficiaries and their families. She stressed that accessibility to education and employment is a key prerequisite for equal opportunities and that the Foundation has taken significant steps in linking education with the labor market. As she noted, today’s collaboration strengthens this effort and helps ensure that employers and society focus on talents and skills rather than disability.
Content of the Memorandum
The partnership focuses particularly on the following:
➢ Strengthening access to employment
The vocational training specialties of the Theotokos Foundation are matched with real job positions in hospitality businesses in Attica, creating channels that link beneficiaries with the labor market.
➢ Development of specialized skills
The design of targeted programs and the adaptation of training workshops is foreseen, in line with the needs of the tourism sector and each specific job role.
➢ Bilateral and mutual training of trainers (Train the Trainer)
INSETE provides instructors who train the Theotokos Foundation team in subjects such as hospitality, back office, and logistics, while the Foundation trains INSETE’s instructors in matters of neurodiversity, structured support for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, sensory challenges, and reasonable workplace accommodations. The ultimate goal is comprehensive training and preparation of beneficiaries.
➢ Supported preparation and monitoring of beneficiaries
The Theotokos Foundation undertakes the selection, preparation, support, and monitoring of trainees both during training and during their integration into the workplace.
➢ Development of synergies
A broader cooperation framework is formed to allow the exchange of know-how, data, and best practices, aiming for multiplier effects in the field of education and employment inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The event opened with greetings from the Chairmen of the two organizations, Mr. Panagis Karellas, Chairman of the Board of the Theotokos Foundation, and Mr. Giorgos Vernikos, Chairman of the Board of INSETE. This was followed by remarks from Minister of State Mr. Akis Skertsos and Deputy Minister of Health Mr. Dimitris Vartzopoulos, a recorded message from Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, a written greeting from Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Ms. Domna Michailidou, and contributions from former Prime Minister Mr. Panagiotis Pikrammenos and Member of the European Parliament Ms. Eleonora Meleti.
Next, the cooperation framework was presented by Mr. Giannis Papakonstantinou, Scientific Director of the Theotokos Foundation, and Mr. Ilias Kikilias, General Director of INSETE.
The event concluded with a panel discussion among representatives of social partners titled “Inclusion in Practice: The Power of Cooperation,” featuring Ms. Valia Aranitou, Scientific Director of INEMY ESEE and Associate Professor at the University of Athens, Mr. Christos Goulas, General Director of INE GSEE, Mr. Giorgos Koutsokostas, Director of Education at INSETE, Mr. Paris Lintzeris, Director of IME GSEVEE, and Ms. Dora Oikonomou, Director of Human Resources Development at SEV.
Speakers highlighted practices and initiatives that enhance autonomy, participation, and professional prospects for individuals on the autism spectrum, emphasizing the added value that inclusion brings to businesses, the labor market, and society as a whole.
The event was hosted and moderated by journalist Maria Nikoltsiou.
The Theotokos Charitable Foundation for the Protection of Children and Young People with Developmental Disorders, a private non-profit entity, has been operating continuously since 1963, offering specialized services to children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental disorders, as well as to their families. Registered in the National Registry of Non-Profit Organizations and certified for Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Social Care, the Foundation is located in Ilion on a 51-acre site specially designed for training and social inclusion. With a primary aim of improving the daily life and quality of life of its beneficiaries, it provides a complete and individualized range of services, from early intervention to vocational training, individualized programs, and professional integration.
The Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation (INSETE) is a non-profit civil company founded in 2013 on the initiative of SETE. The Institute monitors, documents, and provides information on tourism with the aim of increasing the sector’s competitiveness, strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of SETE. At the same time, it designs and implements comprehensive educational programs aimed at strengthening and developing the skills of tourism professionals, who are the most important factor in the tourism experience. INSETE’s educational activities are based on studying the needs of the sector and emphasize strategic partnerships to provide specialized knowledge.
