Empowering Greece’s Underprivileged Youth Through Sports & Mentorship
The Hellenic Initiative (THI) announces the official launch of the 2025 THI Summer Youth Academy, a transformative program designed for underprivileged young children. Organized in partnership with Eurohoops, the Academy is now accepting applications for its second annual session, which will take place from June 27 to July 25, 2025, at Leonteios School in Athens.
Open to boys and girls aged 10-17, the THI Summer Youth Academy is a free of charge program that requires no prior basketball experience. Interested applicants can apply online here by May 31, 2025.
The program offers far more than basketball – it combines daily sports training with leadership development, team building, educational workshops, and interactions with inspiring role models. The goal of the THI Summer Youth Academy is to instill confidence, build character, and foster a sense of belonging among young people navigating difficult socioeconomic circumstances.
The 2025 THI Summer Youth Academy is made possible thanks to the generous support of its sponsors. This year’s Gold Sponsors are The Hellenic Initiative, Novibet Giant Heart, and the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation. Silver Sponsors include the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, Motor Oil, and Piraeus.
The program runs in two sessions, each lasting two weeks, and will run Monday through Friday from 09:00 AM to 4:00 PM It is expected to serve over 100 young children this summer.
Nikos Stathopoulos, THI Board Member and Chairman of this year’s THI Summer Youth Academy, stated, “We are thrilled to launch the 2025 Academy and open our doors once again to young children who deserve access to opportunity and inspiration. This year, we are expanding not only our age range but also our impact, going beyond the courts to empower neighborhoods across Athens. We are grateful to our sponsors, and we invite others to join us in this mission.”
The Academy will launch with a celebratory kick-off event on June 27 featuring celebrities and special surprises to welcome and inspire the young participants.
Konstantinos Papaloukas, Head of Strategy at Eurohoops, said, “This is more than basketball. As a father and someone who grew up on the court, I deeply believe in the power of sports to shape character and unite people. Through the THI Summer Youth Academy, we at Eurohoops have the opportunity to offer young children experiences that go beyond the game – experiences for life.”
George P. Stamas, THI Board President, reflected on the camp’s enduring impact, “When one of the most common things we heard from children at the close of last year’s camp was how eager they were to return in 2025, we knew we were on the right path. Our continued investment in programs like this is rooted in our belief in the potential of Greece’s youth and the power of community.”
