The Association's Past and Present
The Parents’ Association for Supported Living of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, “Petagma”, (in Greek “petagma” means “to fly away from the bird’s nest”) was founded in 2002 by a group of concerned parents of people with disabilities. They were anxious about the future of their children when they themselves would no longer be able to guarantee a dignified and quality life for them, and so the association was born out of a need for better care and support.
Over time, Petagma evolved into a pioneering supported‑living housing service for individuals with intellectual disabilities. In line with Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—which Greece has ratified—people with disabilities are now entitled to live in homes embedded within the community, sharing with a small number of housemates.
Applying modern practices that contrast with outdated institutional approaches, Petagma upholds the right of individuals with intellectual disabilities to live with dignity and equality alongside their fellow citizens.
Today, the association operates three Supported Living Flats in Vrilissia, Attica, where twelve adults with intellectual disabilities live permanently. They receive 24‑hour support from trained staff, enabling them to develop personal and social skills through rich and creative day‑to‑day routines tailored to their needs and wishes. In addition, Petagma offers programs such as outings, holidays, and short‑term stays to other individuals with disabilities, aiming to prepare them for future integration into one of the Supported Living Flats.
The family members of the tenants also benefit directly from Petagma’s work. The association provides parent and sibling groups, along with ongoing education, counseling, and training programs led by professional staff.
Petagma is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Bodies for Intellectual Disability “MELEDONI”, the Panhellenic Federation of Associations of Parents and Guardians of Persons with Disabilities (POSGKAmeA), and the National Confederation of People with Disabilities (ESAmeA). Furthermore, it has developed an active network of collaborations with renowned and innovative international organizations—such as TACT UK, Lives Through Friends UK, and Plan Canada—who supported it in its early phases and continue to provide oversight, feedback, and insights on global best practices in the field of disability support.
Milestones of Our Journey
2000
A group of parents whose children attended the Theotokos Foundation, led by Mrs. Ioannou and guided by the foundation’s director Mrs. Papanikolopoulou, began a journey to seek a better and safer future for their children. In their early steps, they were fortunate to connect with the UK organization TACT UK (Thames and Chiltern Trust) and expert Mr. Bob Rhodes, and together they laid the initiative for supported living for people with disabilities in Greece through collective efforts.
2002
The Petagma Association is founded, and the first pilot supported assisted facility program begins in Pallini, with four individuals with intellectual disabilities.
2005
A group of young people moves into a rented house in Halandri to participate in a daily program.
2007
Following efforts by the Association, a Joint Ministerial Decision is issued to formally establish the legal framework for Supported Living Flats. In October, the Association received the first operating license for a Supported Living Flat in Greece from the Prefecture of Eastern Attica.
2010
The Ministry of Health, through the NSRF (ESPA) program, co-finances the operation of Petagma I Supported Living Flat.
2011
Co-financing is also secured through the NSRF program for Petagma II Supported Living Flat.
2015-2016
Funding is granted by the Bodossaki Foundation under the EEA Grants program “We are all citizens” for the project: “Creating social networks around people with Intellectual Disabilities.”
2015-2016
Further funding from the Bodossaki Foundation under the EEA Grants bilateral relations program, enabling educational visits to: Heilpädagogisches Zentrum in Liechtenstein / Sólheimar Ecovillage in Iceland
2017
The Petagma Supported Living Flats are included in public funding through a special care/boarding allowance by EOPYY (Greek National Organization for Healthcare Services).
2017-2018
Purchase and renovation of a privately-owned residence in Vrilissia, funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the company Aris ATTNE, private donors, and co-financing from the Association.
2018
Relocation of the two Supported Living Flats previously operating in Agia Paraskevi to the new privately-owned house in Vrilissia.
2018
Establishment of a new Supported Living Flat with four tenants in Agia Paraskevi.
2020
The Association is selected as a promising community-based supported living practice by the European organization EASPD.
2021
“Petagma” is selected as a model of best practice at the European level and presents its work at a Transnational Event organized by the European Social Fund (ESF) of the European Union under the theme: “Study visit to Supported Living Facilities.”
2022
Celebration of 20 years of operation, with the organization of a conference titled “20 Years of Good Life in the Community” at the National Hellenic Research Foundation.
● Attended in person by 180 participants
● Over 400 attended online
2023
Participation in the Lighthouse Event study visit organized by the UK organization LivesThroughFriends, presenting Petagma’s work to organizations and professionals from UK, Canada, Moldova, Belgium, and Spain.
2023
Participation in a three-year funded European Erasmus+ program, under the project:
ICALL: Inclusive Communities for ALL, in partnership with organizations from Belgium, Hungary, Finland, and Poland.