What We Do
PROJECT CONNECT is an NPO that leads Greece’s early maritime education and youth employability ecosystems. It is the first organization to fill the gap of bridging the young people seeking employment and the maritime sector, by launching Greece’s first CV Platform in 2015.
A major milestone in this mission is the March 9, 2016 “Shipping Community Meets the Shipping Students” event — the first initiative in Greece to bring the maritime industry leading shipowners and aspiring young professionals together for direct dialogue, mentorship, and opportunity.
In 2018, PROJECT CONNECT launches its signature Adopt a Ship™ program, authorized by the Greek Ministry of Education and endorsed by the Ministry of Shipping, pioneering early exposure to shipping for primary and secondary school pupils, connecting classrooms and captains through a program of letter exchanges in the national school system. As of April 2026, it counts an impressive participation from its initiation to date – over 30,000 pupils, 1050 classrooms, 670 teachers, 380 vessels and 500 captains have exchanged over 4,000 letters – building meaningful awareness of the maritime industry, and securing over 300 placements of Adopt a Ship vocational graduates in Marine Academies and Shipping Universities.
PROJECT CONNECT expands its educational reach by introducing its Adopt an EPAL and Short Sea Travel Experiences initiatives in 2025, linking vocational high school students with firsthand exposure to life at sea and the realities of maritime operations.
As pupils graduate school and enter higher education, PROJECT CONNECT supports them through its νιάτα ψηλά™ (Elevated Youth) self development and professional readiness series of seminars, equips them with the My Shipping Career Office Tool Kit and an immersive 3D Virtual Shipping Company Tour, giving them a realistic understanding of maritime workplaces and expectations, and how to navigate themselves in their first professional experiences.
Hands on preparation continues through the Work Study Program and Workship™, two experiential pathways that help students build practical skills, workplace confidence, and early professional networks.
For over 14 years, PROJECT CONNECT is successfully placing students and graduates in member shipping companies, supported by an HR Recruitment Tool used across its Membership.
Together, this full spectrum of initiatives forms the CONNECT Youth Employability Pipeline — a true one-stop shop for maritime career development and a vibrant Rainbow of Services guiding young people from early awareness to real employment opportunities in the maritime world.
Today, PROJECT CONNECT, is a collective force of 65 shipowners, of whom most are board members of the Union of Greek Shipowners, as well over 40 maritime service companies and higher education institutions– all Proud Members contributing to its mission of preserving and sustaining the Greek Shipping Success Story.
