Innovation in formal education

In Greece, the promotion of innovation in formal education is mainly strengthened through institutional interventions aimed at fostering transversal and digital skills; however, their implementation is not uniform across all levels of secondary education and post-lower secondary vocational education and training.

At the level of Kindergarten, Primary School, and Junior Secondary School (Gymnasium), Skills Workshops operate, which were established by Government Gazette 3567 B '04/08/2021, with the aim of fostering soft skills, life skills, as well as skills related to science, technology, and innovation. At the Senior Secondary School (Lyceum) level, similar actions are implemented on a limited or thematic basis, without uniform and compulsory application at national level.

As provided for in the Strategic Plan for Vocational Education, Training, Lifelong Learning and Youth 2022-2024, innovation constitutes a key priority for the reform of Vocational Education and Training (VET). Within this framework, the operation of Model Vocational Senior Secondary Schools (Model EPAL) across the country is envisaged. These schools function as hubs for the development and dissemination of innovation and good practices, through cooperation with research and innovation bodies at national and European level.

At the same time, innovation in education is supported through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) actions. Through non-profit organizations, such as the educational robotics organization WRO Hellas, educational activities and nationwide competitions are implemented, promoting the introduction of educational robotics into the school environment and the development of problem-solving, creativity, and technological thinking skills. 

The Panhellenic Educational Robotics Competition, which is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, aims to familiarize students with natural sciences, programming, and automation, and includes distinct categories for students of General Senior Secondary Schools and Vocational Senior Secondary Schools.

At national level, a wide range of student competitions are organized with the aim of strengthening and highlighting students’ abilities in natural sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics, and informatics. These competitions are organized by various bodies, are approved or supported by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, and promote the development of STEM and innovation skills among students. Indicatively, they include: the Panhellenic STEM & Educational Robotics Competition for primary and secondary education students, RoboRAVE Greece 2025 as a national educational robotics event, the Panhellenic Student Competition of Astronomy & Space Science with competitive categories for different age groups, as well as other competitions aimed at disseminating STEM skills in schools. In parallel, educational material and examples of school projects developed in Primary and Secondary Education school units within the framework of STEM actions are available through the Educational Portal  and the digital infrastructures of the Ministry.

Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, through its competent services, supports competitive initiatives addressed to young people aged 14 to 20, such as the National Competition for Young Scientists 2022. The competition accepts projects from a wide range of scientific fields (indicatively: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Engineering, Biology, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Informatics, Medicine, Food and Nutrition Science, Social Sciences, etc.).

The Ministry of National Defense periodically implements innovation and technology competitions in the defense sector, with the aim of identifying, showcasing, and rewarding innovative ideas and technological solutions.

In addition, similar actions and competitions are organized by various bodies, including private-sector organizations, with the objective of attracting young people with innovative ideas. Indicatively,  Junior Achievement Greece hosted the European youth entrepreneurship competition Gen-E 2025 in Athens.

Within the framework of exposing young people to innovative ideas and scientific knowledge, the Researcher’s Night  is also organized in Greece, with activities taking place in more than one city.