U-Talent: A joint initiative by DYPA and UNICEF for young people and the skills of the future

ATHENS, October 31, 2025 – U-Talent is an initiative of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) and UNICEF Greece, which aims to develop 21st century skills and green skills for young people aged 15–24.

This initiative seeks to enhance the employability of young people and contribute to shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.

The event, entitled "Empowering Young People for the Work of the Future," opened with greetings from the Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, the Director of the Youth Employment Agency, Yianna Chormova, and the UNICEF Representative in Greece, Ghassan Khalil, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between institutions and international organizations to enhance youth employability and develop skills that meet the needs of the times.

The programme will be implemented during the 2025–2026 school year at DYPA's EPAS Apprenticeship Schools throughout Greece, with the aim of empowering thousands of students and upgrading the quality of vocational education through modern, experiential learning approaches.

The main lines of action presented by DYPA and UNICEF include:

• live workshops for 2,000 EPAS students across the country, utilizing innovative UNICEF digital tools (FunDoo, Green-Pal) through the UPSHIFT methodology, which cultivates skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity
• training for 100 EPAS teachers, with the aim of integrating new skills into the learning process
• regional events and an information campaign, with the aim of reaching 100,000 young people to highlight the importance of 21st century skills and green skills.

The Minister of Labor and Social Security, Niki Kerameos, said:

"U-Talent is a model of cooperation and innovation between the Public Employment Service and UNICEF that equips young people with 21st century skills and prepares them for the future. Today's initiative highlights four values that I believe are worth noting and incorporating into our other programmes and collaborations: investing in young people's skills, boosting youth employability, programmes tailored to the country's needs, and partnerships with international organizations such as UNICEF. We support every effort that invests in young people and in the future of our country."

DYPA Director Yianna Chormova said:

"DYPA strongly supports young people by investing in the skills that will determine the future of work. With the U-Talent program, in collaboration with UNICEF,  we are creating conditions for meaningful learning and participation, strengthening the link between education and the labor market and promoting skills that meet the needs of an evolving economy. This initiative is in line with DYPA's strategy to promote equal opportunities for all."

UNICEF's Representative in Greece, Ghassan Khalil, said:

"UNICEF is proud to partner with DYPA, educators, and young people across Greece to create more opportunities for every young person to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Through the U-Talent program, UNICEF and DYPA are joining forces to empower young people in Greece with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. By combining training in 21st-century skills and green skills, U-Talent will help young people develop self-confidence, creativity, and resilience, opening paths to education, employment, and participation in a sustainable future.”