Organization, Staffing and Operation of Hellenic Aid
Presidential Decree 51/2023 was published in Official Gazette A’ 105 of April 25, 2023. The Decree regulates the operation of the Directorate General for Development and Humanitarian Aid of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, outlines the responsibilities of its Directorates, and aims to establish effective and coherent policies for development cooperation. Our policies prioritise transparency, partner country ownership over development priorities, establishment of partnerships, and the achievement of development goals, in accordance with international commitments and internationally accepted principles.
Special Registry for Civil Society Entities / Private Companies
Presidential Decree N. 4/2023 was published in the Official Gazette of the Hellenic Republic A’ 6 of January 17, 2023. According to this, the registration of civil society entities and private businesses in the Special Registry of Hellenic Aid is now a necessary pre-condition for submitting relevant proposals for actions and projects financed not only by Hellenic Aid, but also by all bodies of the General Government active in the fields of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid.
Directorate-General for Development and Humanitarian Aid
In 2021, with the new Law 4781/2021 (Government Gazette 31A/28-2-2021), which regulates the function of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the status of the former YDAS as an independent unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shifted to that of a Directorate General of the Ministry, becoming thus integral part of it. The law describes the responsibilities, structure, operations, instruments and modalities of delivering development cooperation and humanitarian assistance (articles 199-214 and 458-477).
Transfer of responsibilities to the MFA
In 2002 with the Presidential Decree 159/2002 (Government Gazette 140A/14-6-2002) “Transfer of responsibilities of services and personnel of the Ministry of Economy and Finance to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and establishment of a General Secretariat for International Finance and Development Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” YDAS becomes the main body for planning, shaping and coordination of the overall policy of Greek development cooperation.
Operation of Hellenic Aid (YDAS)
In September 2000 the Presidential Decree 224/2000 (Government Gazette 193A/6-9-2000) on “Organization, staffing and operation of YDAS of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs” came into force.
Establishment of Hellenic Aid (YDAS)
Hellenic Aid (YDAS) was established in 1999, based on the article 18 of the Law 2731/1999 (Government Gazette 138A/5-7-1999) “Regulation of issues of Bilateral Development Cooperation and Aid, regulation of issues of Non-Governmental Organizations and other provisions”.