Promoting equality and youth participation through cultural activities

Cultural policy in Greece includes initiatives aimed at strengthening social cohesion and ensuring equal access to culture for all citizens. Within the framework of the government planning of the Ministry of Culture, measures are implemented that promote the participation of different social groups in cultural life and enhance social inclusion.

Particular emphasis is placed on the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs) and on promoting equal access to culture. Relevant initiatives include:

• Strengthening actions that encourage the participation of persons with disabilities in the cultural process,
• Promoting accessible cultural productions through measures such as sign language interpretation, subtitling and audio description,
• Implementing awareness-raising and training activities for staff of cultural organisations on accessibility issues,
• Developing initiatives that promote social inclusion and multiculturalism.

At the same time, the implementation of the Digital Disability Card, is supported. The card is issued through the National Disability Portal and functions as a digital proof of disability status. Its use facilitates access for persons with disabilities to public services and allows, among other benefits, free admission to museums and archaeological sites under the responsibility of the Ministry of Culture.

In addition, the Ministry of Culture implements the «Cultural Prescribing»,  initiative, which uses participation in cultural activities as a complementary approach to the prevention and treatment of mental health issues, strengthening synergies between culture, health services and social care structures.

At the same time, supervised cultural organisations implement accessibility and inclusion initiatives, such as accessible guided tours and educational programmes for persons with disabilities, including those organised at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, MOMus, and the Greek National Opera.

Within the framework of the NSRF 2021–2027 programming period, projects are also being implemented that aim to improve the accessibility of cultural infrastructures and services. These interventions include the upgrading of museums and archaeological sites, the development of accessible digital cultural content, and the application of universal design principles, with the objective of enhancing the participation of all citizens in cultural life.

Fighting discrimination and poverty through cultural activities

There is no specific national programme in Greece that exclusively aims to combat discrimination and poverty through cultural activities. However, the promotion of equality and the participation of all citizens in cultural life is supported through broader public policies in the fields of culture and social inclusion.

However, according to article 5 of the Greek Constitution, every person has the right to participate in the social, economic and political life of the country, which is completely consistent with the right to participate in cultural life.