The Hellenic Initiative (THI) gathered Hellenes and Philhellenes from around the world in Athens this week for the purpose of connecting them with each other and conveying to the people and leaders of Greece the nature of their mission and their deep commitment to assisting the Hellenic Homeland. One of the highlights of the endeavor is to spotlight THI’s programs impacting Greek youth – children and young adults
The events of ATHINA26 took place July 21-23. On July 22 young Greeks participated in the THI Careers & Employability Fair and the Celebrity Basketball Game at the Leonteios School, where the Academy runs through July 31.
At the ATHINA26, opening reception at the Benaki Museum the evening of July 22, THI’s Executive Director Mike Manatos spoke to The National Herald about what inspired the mid-summer, mid-vacation season endeavor – ATHINA26 is its first edition. “It’s been 14 years [since THI’s founding] and it’s such a great opportunity for THI to do two things: 1) to gather our THI family from all around the world to celebrate the work that we do; 2) to help the people of Greece better understand what THI does for the country.”
Over its first 14 years, The Hellenic Initiative has provided more than $25.5 million in humanitarian and economic development support to Greece through more than 395 grants and donations, generating an estimated economic impact of more than $500 million.
The THI Careers & Employability Fair on July 22 was an event dedicated to workforce development, job creation, reskilling, and skills matching in Greece. Built around THI-supported programs – ReGeneration, Odyssea, and SEV Skills4Jobs – the Fair brought together young professionals, program alumni, employers, HR leaders, educators, policymakers, and THI’s leadership.
The day was organized around two complementary pillars, running sequentially. At the Morning Program – Careers Forum & Leadership Discussions – speakers, leadership panels, and moderated conversations focused on the Greek labor market, youth employability, reskilling, A.I. and the future of work, and reversing the brain drain.
The Afternoon Program was titled Careers Activation & Employer Engagement and included hands-on workshops, speed interviews, career coaching, and live skills demonstrations.
Participants had the opportunity to meet employers, build new skills, expand your network, and discover opportunities that can help them take the next step in your career.
The event took place at the ACG Events Hall on the campus of The American College of Greece in the Agia Paraskevi suburb of Athens.
THI’s Executive Director Mike Manatos, kneeling, second from right, led the second team. (Photo: TNH/C. Sirigos)
THI’s Summer Youth Academy
This year’s program is the third edition of the THI Summer Youth Academy, a free summer program for underprivileged children aged 10-17 in Athens. It brings together more than 100 young participants for a month-long experience that goes well beyond the basketball court.
Each day, participants take part in structured basketball training alongside workshops focused on leadership, teamwork, and personal development. The program is designed to give children from difficult socioeconomic backgrounds access to qualified coaches, mentors, and role models – ree is required, and participation is entirely free of charge
Nikos Stathopoulos, THI Board Member and Chairman of the THI Summer Youth Academy, said: “Two years in, we have seen first-hand what this program does for the children. It builds confidence, it creates friendships, and it opens doors. We are proud to bring it back for a third year and to keep deepening its impact across the Greek society.”
Pausing for a photo at the THI Careers and Employability Fair are – Left to right: Michael Printzos – Greece Country Head, The Hellenic Initiative, Niki Kerameus- Minister of Labor and Social Security, Dr. Edward Wingenbach – President, The American College of Greece, George Stamas – Co-Founder & President, The Hellenic Initiative, Mike Manatos – Executive Director, The Hellenic Initiative.
(Photo courtesy of The Hellenic Initiative)
George P. Stamas, THI Co-Founder and Board President, said: “The most telling measure of this program’s impact is how eagerly children return. Year after year, the Academy is proving that when you invest in Greece’s youth with genuine care and quality programming, the results speak for themselves. We are grateful to every sponsor and partner who makes this possible.”
The 2026 edition of the program is made possible through the support of The Hellenic Initiative, Novibet, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, AVIN, and Piraeus Bank. Their collective commitment ensures that the Academy remains fully free to participants and continues to grow in reach and quality.
One of the THI teams was led by George P. Stamas, in center wearing orange t-shirt, THI Co-Founder and Board President. (Photo: TNH/C. Sirigos)
Celebrity Basketball Game
The afternoon of July 23, children participating in the Academy moved from the court to the stands in the impressive gym of the Leonteios School in Athens’ Ano Patisia neighborhood.
The children and the day’s guests were greeted by Stamas, Manatos, and Stathopoulos, each of whom participated in the full court game. Stamas and Manatos led rival THI teams composed of evenly divided staff, THI Board members, and celebrities, including popular Greek athletes and singer Thanos Petrelis.
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