The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has opened the way for expanded free access to preschool and after-school care services across the region, including the Kavala area, with four million euros earmarked to cover thousands of places at nurseries and KDAP after-school centres for the 2026-2027 cycle. Regional officials describe the funding as aimed at easing costs for working families and supporting female labour force participation. Local nursery operators in Kavala say they are awaiting further guidance on how places will be allocated.