Empowering Progress and Prosperity for Greece
New Project: Diaspora Civic Duty
Over the past decades, and especially during the financial crisis, hundreds of thousands of Greeks built their lives abroad—often not out of choice, but necessity. Deon Policy Institute has submitted a proposal that reimagines national service: the Diaspora Civic Duty Program will allow eligible members of the diaspora, after a 20-day basic training period, to fulfill their obligation remotely through structured civic, technical, or strategic contributions that strengthen Greece and reconnect global Greeks with the homeland.
It is a call to serve without borders—and to turn distance into national strength.
Policy Proposals
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Unlocking Brain Gain in Medicine
In May 2025, the Hellenic Parliament announced the incorporation of Deon's Proposal by implementing Law 5194/2025 (Article 48), which introduces provisions for medical specialization recognition. The Ministry of Health further defined the applicable specialties through a formal ministerial decision.
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National Diaspora Strategy
In 2024, Greece introduced its first National Diaspora Strategy in over 20 years. The Deon Policy Institute played a key role, offering 28 recommendations, with 17 shaping the final plan. They’re now preparing a report on the Diaspora’s growth, needs, and potential to drive Greece’s progress.
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Attracting top-tier researchers to Greece
In March 2024, the Hellenic Parliament passed a law to strengthen public universities. Deon Policy Institute’s recommendation to drive top-tier research and change from within by expanding the rights of visiting researchers was incorporated into this law.
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Repatriating Greek Academic Talent
During the financial crisis, Greece experienced a mass exodus of talent. Deon Policy Institute proposed three ways to repatriate academic talent: instituting visiting professors, establishing early-career faculty positions, and hiring the best.
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Expanding Research in Greece
Researchers and professors who hold full-time positions abroad are currently unable to lead research projects in Greece in public institutions. We worked with the relevant stakeholders to establish a fellowship that will sponsor distinguished scientists to conduct cutting-edge research in Greece.
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Increasing Greek voter registration abroad
Greeks living abroad were given the right to vote, under certain criteria, in 2019. Despite original estimates of 300,000 - 500,000 sign-ups, by January 2022 only 4,000 had registered. We drafted ten proposals to increase awareness and facilitate registration and also developed a Greek voter registration guide.
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Streamlining Voting for Expats
The Greek Administration proposed that Greek Citizens be able to vote by mail. In the upcoming 2024 European elections, Greeks living abroad will only be able to vote by mail. Deon Policy Institute proposed that voting registration be allowed with authentication via passport or national ID. The proposal was accepted and incorporated into the new law.
