12.05.2025 07:50
Greece has offered its citizens 10,000 Euros (435,000 lira) to settle in the rural areas of the municipalities of Kumçiftliği (Orestiada), Sofulu (Sufli), and Dimetoka (Didimotiho), located at the Turkish border in Western Thrace. However, the project did not receive the expected interest due to limited job opportunities.
The Greek government wanted to increase internal migration to the Turkish border in Western Thrace. According to the plan, citizens would be settled in the rural areas of Kumçiftliği (Orestiada), Sofulu (Sufli), and Dimetoka (Didimotiho) municipalities in the Meriç (Evros) region. The aim was to stop the decline in population in these areas and strengthen the demographic structure.
NOT WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC
In fact, the government also announced that it would provide 10,000 Euros in financial aid to the citizens who would settle here. However, this idea did not attract public interest. According to a report by Yaşar Anter from Sözcü newspaper, the Mayor of Kumçiftliği, Diamantis Papadopulos, stated that the program initially attracted some interest, but this interest diminished over time.
"THIS IS NOT A MAGICAL SOLUTION"
Papadopulos noted that most of the applicants were families originally from the region and that they were evaluating their chances of returning. He said, "This is not a magical solution; it is a complementary tool that needs to be supported by significant development policies."
"IF THERE IS NO JOB, NO ONE WILL COME FOR 10,000 EUROS"
The Mayor of Sofulu, Panagiotis Kalakikos, expressed similar views: "If there are no jobs, no one will come for 10,000 Euros. A support plan that includes investment, tax incentives, and strengthening employment is essential."