Founded in 1977, KMOP is an Athens-based NGO that focuses on issues pertaining to social welfare and health, employability and employment generation, scientific research and the development of know-how in social policy issues. Since its establishment, KMOP has undertaken numerous projects and programmes, many in collaboration with large well-established organizations, both in Greece and internationally, targeting the following societal groups:

• Families facing a variety of social problems
• One-parent families
• Women in difficult situations
• Elderly
• Children suffering from physical and sexual abuse
• School-age children with difficulties in adapting to their school environment, school drop-outs in compulsory education, and job-seeking adolescents who are unable to enter the labor market
• Persons suffering from physical disabilities and mental disorders
• Long-term unemployed and those with low professional qualifications
• Refugees, repatriates and migrants

The year it was established, KMOP was recognized by the United Nations as a partner organization, and a year later received recognition from the Greek Ministry of Social Welfare as a specialized welfare organization. In 1998, KMOP was certified by the National Accreditation Centre of Vocational Training and Support Services to provide the whole range of support services to specific vulnerable target groups attending vocational training programmes. It is also a recognized entity by Hellenic Aid, the humanitarian aid department of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With an established presence in most of Greece, KMOP employs nearly 80 professionals, in-house, most of whom have advanced degrees and several years of practical experience. Its staff have very varied educational backgrounds and skills, and includes a rich mix of sociologists, social policy analysts, specialists in public health and education, psychologists, economists, jurists and political scientists. Dynamic, highly motivated and experienced, KMOP staff operate in various national and local contexts, as well as at the international level. In addition to the permanent staff, the organisation also cooperates with external specialists and academic institutions on a regular basis for projects and training programmes.

The expertise that KMOP has gathered over the past three decades falls into seven main areas, namely: employability, social inclusion, youth and education, gender equality, mental health, entrepreneurship and social economy. These categories highlight the broad range of KMOP capabilities and the wide competence of its specialized staff.

Out of the catalogue of projects that KMOP has undertaken, some are worth particular mention. One of KMOP’s earliest projects of great substance was the design and operation of the first centres of open care for the elderly in four locations of Attiki, established during the period of 1979-1983 in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. On the different topic of repatriates and migrants, KMOP collaborated with the World Church Council in a new programme that from 1987 to 1992 provided comprehensive support to repatriates in Athens suburbs. KMOP later followed up this successful pilot intervention through implementation of similar programmes targeting vulnerable repatriates in need of assistance.

During the second half of the 1980s, the organization was actively engaged in the implementation of national programmes targeting the fight against poverty. In the early 1990s, KMOP grew considerably nationwide, as it implemented numerous projects against social exclusion and exclusion from the labour market, in addition to continuing the provision of support services.

In 2000 KMOP coordinated a consortium of partners from a number of EU member states in the implementation of a large-scale research project, concerning the introduction of best practices on reconciliation of family and professional life. During the period of 2003-2004 KMOP implemented a new community-based support services programme in five of the country’s main regions, benefiting 850 vulnerable persons. The establishment of three comprehensive Group Houses for people with serious mental disorders was noted nationwide in 2004, due to its pioneering aspects. Despite reduced state funding in subsequent years, KMOP’s commitment has enabled the operations to solidify and remain in full operation. The same year, KMOP assumed the responsibility of coordinator of a number of partners in the implementation of the national action plan to support women; a project, which reached over 2300 female beneficiaries in Attiki. Following the execution of many successful employment-related projects, in 2005, KMOP was granted a sizeable employability project by the Greek Ministry of Labour with financial support from the ESF. Coordinating 35 partners, with an estimated 5,500 beneficiaries, KMOP manages the project, which aims at developing employability skills in order to facilitate entry into the labour market for socially vulnerable groups. As it continued its involvement in a school drop-out prevention program in one of Athens most deprived areas; in 2006, KMOP also engaged in a pilot project on social economy in Greece, supporting entrepreneurs with disadvantaged backgrounds.

In the late 1990s, KMOP began expanding abroad, and has to date participated in many trans-national European projects, on gender equality, equal opportunities, education and training. It is also expanding its expertise beyond Europe, through active involvement in developmental projects in Pakistan, Egypt and FYROM.