Reducing barriers to young people's access to culture

At a national level, the competent authorities facilitate young people's access to cultural environments and ensure their participation in cultural activities and experiences. Based on article 2 of the Official Gazette 2666/Β/01-07-2019, as amended by the Ministerial Decision (Official Gazette Β΄ 1968/29.03.2024), regarding the right of entry to individual monuments, organized archaeological sites, historical sites and museums belonging to the public, a reduced entry ticket (50%) is provided from April 1^st until October 31^st, to: 

• Children and young people aged 6-25, from countries outside the European Union, upon presenting their passport 

A reduced ticket of 50% of the prescribed price is also provided for all visitors between November 1^st and March 31^st of each year. 

Specific dates are also set, with free entry to archaeological sites, monuments and museums, which are the following: 

• 1st Sunday of every month, from November 1^st to March 31^st 

• The National Holiday of October 28^th  

• Anniversary and international convention dates – April 18^th (International Memorial Day) 

• May 18^th (International Museum Day) 

• The two-day European Cultural Heritage Days (The last weekend of September each year) 

• March 6^th (Melina Merkouris Memorial Day) 

Entitled to free entry are the following categories of young people: 

• Children and young people up to the age of 25 from the member states of the European Union, upon the presentation of their identity card or passport 

• Individuals over 25 years of age studying in secondary schools of the country, upon the presentation of their police ID and confirmation of the school unit of attendance 

• The participants in the Social Solidarity Income (SSI), 

• Holders of a national unemployment card, upon the presentation of their ID and the Unemployment Card of the Greek Public Employment Service (DYPA). 

• People with disabilities (50% or more) and one of their companions 

• Parents of large families in the country until the children reach the age of 25 or regardless of age if they have a disability (with a percentage of 50% or more), with the presentation of their ID and certificate of multi-child status 

• Parents of three-children families in the country until the children reach the age of 25 or regardless of age if they have a disability (with a percentage of 50% or more), upon the presentation of their ID and family status certificate from the Municipality 

• Parents of single-parent families in the country until the children reach the age of 25, or regardless of age if they have a disability (with a percentage of 50% or more), upon the presentation of their ID and family status certificate from the Municipality 

• Refugees, upon presentation of an International Protection Applicant Card or Convention Travel Document of July 28^th, 1951 (passport of a recognized refugee) or Alien Travel Document (passport of a recognized beneficiary of subsidiary protection) or a residence permit 

• Those serving their military service, upon the presentation of a valid Hoplite Identity Card 

• The Greek Olympians, by showing their ID and membership card of the Hellenic Olympians Association 

The International Organization BJCEM (Biennale des Jeunes Créateurs de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée), whose founder is the General Secretariat of Vocational Education, Training, Lifelong Learning and Youth, aims to strengthen and support young creators and promote young artistic creation at a national and international level. A leading activity is the organization every two years of the Biennale of Young European and Mediterranean Creators, which is conducted every two years, and includes exhibitions, discussions, forums, literature actions, performances, concerts and various artistic events in the host city each time. 

The General Secretariat of Vocational Education, Training and Lifelong Learning of Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, through the Department of Culture and Youth Artistic Creation of the Youth Directorate, informs young people about art and culture programs implemented between the members and BJCEM. 

Dissemination of information about cultural opportunities

Digital Culture  is the digital platform of the Ministry of Culture. It is an updated portal aimed at informing the public about cultural actions, classified by category: 

• Music 

• Movie theater 

• Theater 

• Book 

• Museums 

• Archaeological sites 

• Visual Arts 

At the same time, it provides visitors with information about educational programs aimed, but not exclusively, at students and young people. 

On this website, there is a digital calendar, which informs the public about cultural events and actions, by month and day. Alongside, a classification of events is made based on the organization or host of the respective event, facilitating users’ search and navigation in the platform. 

The educational programs organized by various institutions, such as the Athens Concert Hall and the Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, etc., are aimed at students and teenagers, but also at adults. 

Regarding funding opportunities in the field of culture, the institution of Cultural Sponsorship is an institution of the Greek state that aims to finance culture from resources coming from the private sector. Recipients of the sponsorship may be public services, but also any non-profit organization that pursues cultural purposes. The legislative framework of Cultural Sponsorship is described by Law 3525/2007 Law 3525/2007, simultaneously with its amendments. Specifically, the recipients of the sponsorship are the State, Local Government organizations, legal entities under public law, legal entities of the wider public sector, legal entities of private law of non-profit nature, as well as joint-stock companies of the Code of Municipalities and Communities, which are established for hosting the "European Capital of Culture" institution. 

In the Ministry of Culture, the Sponsorship Office has been established, which operates at departmental level and reports directly to the Minister of Culture. A necessary condition for submitting a funding request is the organization's registration in the Register of Cultural Organizations  of the Ministry of Culture. All non-profit organizations that have, by virtue of their statutes, a cultural activity, can register in this digital portal. 

An important institution of the Ministry of Culture and Sports is the «All Greece One Culture»  program. The institution's activities and events take place in the summer period and include theatrical, musical and dance performances, visual art exhibitions and performances, as well as events for children and teenagers in ancient theaters in Greece. The events are connected to historical sites, contemporary culture fostering a dialogue between historical heritage and contemporary artistic creation. Cooperation with local stakeholders contributes to strengthening and to the development of cultural activity and cultural identity in the regions, which constitutes one of the priorities of the Ministry of Culture.

Knowledge of cultural heritage among young people

The Ministry of Culture participates in the Cultural Routes program of the Council of Europe. It has been a member of the Extended Partial Agreement since 2011 and participates in its Board of Directors through the Directorate of International Relations and the European Union of the Ministry of Culture. 

The Routes of Olive Tree constitute a Greek initiative and a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, which promotes the connection of the Mediterranean’s cultural heritage with education, culture and sustainable development. At the same time, Greece is also connected with other Council of Europe Cultural Routes, such as the Phoenicians’ Route, the European Mozart Ways, and Iter Vitis – the Cultural Route of the Vine, European Route of Cemeteries, European Route of Historic Baths, Destination of Napoleon, Routes of Impressionism, European Industrial Heritage Route, Iron Curtain Route, European Historic Gardens Route, Aeneas Route and Cyril and Methodius Route. Alongside, efforts are being made to strengthen the Greek presence on the existing Routes and at the same time the possibility of submitting new proposals of Greek interest is being explored. 

In recent years, the participation of Greek institutions and cultural organisations in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe has been strengthened through initiatives that promote cultural education, the protection of cultural heritage and the active participation of young people.Indicatively, Greek cultural institutions and sites participate in activities of the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), contributing to the promotion of the country’s industrial history and to its connection with educational and cultural initiatives addressed also to young people.

The certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe put into practice the fundamental principles of the Organization such as respect of human rights, cultural democracy and cultural diversity and are important tools for the development of intercultural dialogue, mutual exchanges and cultural cooperation beyond borders.

At the same time, the Hellenic National Committee for UNESCO actively promotes the implementation of UNESCO's Conventions and Programs in Greece. Among UNESCO's priorities is the implementation of pilot actions. These initiatives strengthen young people’s participation in cultural education and their understanding of cultural heritage by making use of innovative educational methods and tools.The relevant actions are implemented in cooperation with competent ministries of the Greek government, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Ministry of Development.

Moreover, at the Institute of Historical Research of the National Research Foundation, research activities/programs are developed that aim at historical documentation of Greek history and culture. These activities contribute to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, the promotion of historical research and the training of young researchers, while at the same time strengthening international scientific cooperation.

The research activities of the Institute of Historical Research are organised into three main scientific fields:

• Greek and Roman Antiquity

• Byzantine Research

• Modern Greek Research

Furthermore, Creative Europe is one of the financial instruments one of the European Union’s funding instruments within the framework of the “Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027.” The objective of the programme is to strengthen Europe’s cultural and linguistic diversity and to support the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors. The programme supports cooperation initiatives among organisations active in the cultural, creative and audiovisual sectors and is addressed to public and private bodies, non-governmental organisations and enterprises operating in these fields. In Greece, the Creative Europe Desk – Culture operates under the European Union Department of the Directorate for International Relations and European Union of the Ministry of Culture., providing information and support to organisations wishing to participate in the programme. The total budget of the programme amounts to €2.4 billion for the period 2021–2027.