Municipality of Fyli - Directorate for Local Economic Development (D.L.E.D.)

The Municipality of Fyli is a suburban area of Athens where are a lot of social inequalities, which causes social tensions and difficulties in co-existence. It is an area with low-income households, a high percentage of young population (above the country’s average), low educational level (one-quarter of the population is illiterate mostly women but also young age groups). The Municipality of Fyli, is the public authority in charge of providing social services, such as employment, education and training, food assistance, housing, health services, etc. In its role as the main provider of social services, the Municipality has repeatedly been compelled to improvise in order to surpass administrative and other barriers and encourage the population to take up their social rights. The municipality of Fyli has collaborated with the other Municipalities to identify the practices, experiences and social needs in the area, as well as to determine to what degree these needs are met. The Directorate for Local Economic Development (D.L.E.D.) of the Municipality of Fyli is in close cooperation with the local stakeholders, who have shared their views and experiences. The Municipality has experience in relation to the implementation of projects concerning housing, reintegration, education, psychological support, volunteer work and protection of public health. Unemployment rates in Fyli exceeded 24% of the economically active population in 2016. In the age groups of 20 - 24 years of age newly unemployment rates were more than half of the respective age group. These extremely high unemployment rates have been increased during the last years due to the economic recession. The situation is even worst for the Roma people. Up to now, the crisis has led to a domino of unemployment and reduction of the salaries and incomes especially for the lower classes to which most of Fyli’s residents belong. Youth is the most vulnerable group as the jobs offered are low paid and cannot guarantee a satisfactory living standard for settling the own family and maintaining the own household. Part time jobs (often without insurance) tend to increase especially among young people and become the common employment offer. Recession will deteriorate the poor relationship among the communities of the Greeks, the Roma and the immigrants. Fears for increasing anomic behavior or racist expressions that may affect everyday life and threaten social cohesion are expressed. Therefore, sports appear to be an appropriate way to address young people of any nationality and class origin and to help building strong ties among individuals with common interest and achievements. Lifelong learning, processes of formal and informal education for the continued learning of all ages will help Greek and Roma young people. In conjunction with sports activities will help youth to overcome mutual reservations and hostile attitudes to each other. This combination is expected to improve youth’s employability and strengthen social cohesion. The municipality is able to play a major role in the realization of these activities.