Category: HOMEPAGE

ARTICLE | Work and Mental Health: October 10th, World Mental Health Day

Posted on Thursday October 10th, 2024

It’s time to make mental health at work a priority!

World Mental Health Day, celebrated every year on October 10th, offers us an opportunity to focus on the relationship between work and mental health.

Considering that most of the world’s population works, it becomes immediately clear that this issue affects millions of people. Especially if we consider how much of our daily lives we spend at work, it is clear how crucial a role it plays in our well-being.

According to the World Health Organization, there are many factors that affect mental health in the workplace. Risks to mental health at work can include:

  • under-use of skills or being under-skilled for work;
  • excessive workloads or work pace, understaffing;
  • long, unsocial or inflexible hours;
  • lack of control over job design or workload;
  • unsafe or poor physical working conditions;
  • organizational culture that enables negative behaviours;
  • limited support from colleagues or authoritarian supervision;
  • violence, harassment or bullying;
  • discrimination and exclusion;
  • unclear job role;
  • under- or over-promotion;
  • job insecurity, inadequate pay, or poor investment in career development; and
  • conflicting home/work demands.

These factors not only have a profound impact on employees’ mental health, but also have wider social consequences, affecting both people’s personal lives and the social fabric.

Through our experience in the Psychological Service of the Athens Solidarity Center we observe that most of our beneficiaries bring for management matters related to issues such as burnout, uncertainty, performance anxiety, collegial relationships, toxic work climate.

This finding is so common that it is often taken for granted, underlining the extent of the problem. It is time to bring these issues into focus, to rethink our approaches and to start treating mental health at work with the significance it has.

*Since August 1st, 2023, the operation of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow is supported by the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme (Embassy of Switzerland in Greece) to reducing economic and social disparities in the EU and by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. **The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

ARTICLE | Blue Refugee Center-summer of 2024: Accounting support to 450 people

Posted on Monday October 7th, 2024

More than 450 beneficiaries turned to the accounting service of the SolidarityNow Blue Refugee Center in Thessaloniki during the summer months of 2024, in order to receive support for the submission of their tax returns. The beneficiaries were successfully served and many of them requested also support for other similar issues, such as the management of their pension contribution stamps, debt adjustment etc.

In fact, in one case, the employer was found to have failed to pay the pension stamps, resulting in the referral of the person concerned to the Labour Inspectorate. However, not everything went smoothly! This is because the changes made this year to the submission of tax returns have significantly affected many beneficiaries who were unable to respond in time to what seem to be simple steps.

Initially, the use of a bank account was compulsory for the submission of the declaration, a requirement that was prohibitive for a part of the population that did not have and could not afford a bank account due to unemployment. This arrangement was eventually changed to voluntary, but this was done towards the end of the submission period, thus not allowing sufficient time for the excluded to be notified and to make their declarations.

Further difficulties were also created by the new automatic declaration system launched this year, due to non-updated contact details. As phone lines are discontinued after two (2) months without a package renewal, and phone devices are often lost or misplaced along with the numbers themselves and email access, the appropriate messages may have been sent to those served but were impossible to receive.

Also, the language barrier plays an important role, since even if the notification from the IAPR (Independent Authority for Public Revenue) reaches the beneficiaries’ device, it is often impossible to read it. Consequently, many beneficiaries were not informed about this and ultimately their declaration was submitted with incorrect data. Nevertheless, amended declarations were made where possible, and fines imposed by mistake were avoided, as benefits were taxed as tax-free.

Τέλος, το χρονικό διάστημα που δόθηκε για την υποβολή των δηλώσεων ανήλθε μόλις στις 100 ημέρες, περίοδος αρκετά περιορισμένη για την εξυπηρέτηση του συνόλου των ωφελούμενων, ειδικά για τη Βόρεια Ελλάδα, όπου το Κέντρο Υποστήριξης Προσφύγων στη Θεσσαλονίκη είναι η μοναδική υπηρεσία που παρέχει τη δυνατότητα δωρεάν φορολογικής δήλωσης, με αποτέλεσμα οικονομικά ευάλωτοι άνθρωποι να υποχρεωθούν να πληρώσουν ιδιώτη λογιστή.

Finally, the time given for the submission of the returns was only 100 days, a period limited to serve all beneficiaries, especially in Northern Greece, where the Blue Refugee Center in Thessaloniki is the only Center that offers free accounting services, resulting in financially vulnerable people having to pay a private accountant.

*SolidarityNow implements the project “𝗕𝗥𝗖 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀“, funded by UNHCR GREECE from April 2023. The aim of the project is the social and economic integration of asylum seekers and refugees through support for their integration into the labour market. Services are provided daily at the Blue Refugee Center in Thessaloniki.

PRESS RELEASE | SolidarityNow at the Athens Democracy Forum

Posted on Thursday October 3rd, 2024

Round table discussion on “The Difficult Search for Truth in Migration”

In the framework of the annual Athens Democracy Forum, on October 2nd, SolidarityNow organized a discussion on the challenging search for truth in migration.

The discussion was moderated by journalist Yannis Palaiologos, who facilitated a dynamic and thought-provoking dialogue among the panelists, focusing on how migration can be better understood and communicated in today’s polarized world.

The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SolidarityNow, Mr. Stelios Zavvos highlighted how migration is frequently exploited as a political tool by far-right parties to polarize societies, fueling fear and spreading misinformation: “Migration in Europe, and particularly in Greece, can address several issues such as labor shortages. From a demographic standpoint the management of migration can help sustain demographic balance. Migrants contribute to the economy and the social security system, and the data indicates that they can bring significant economic benefits to the country. Migration is not a crisis, it is an opportunity. At SolidarityNow, we focus on integrating migrants and refugees as productive members of society.”

Afterwards, Mr. Dimitris Kairidis, Member of the Hellenic Parliament and Professor of International Politics, criticized the harmful portrayal of migration as an “invasion” highlighting how such narratives fuel far-right ideologies. “We need realistic solutions and not promises and extreme rhetoric that only raises expectations and, thus, the despair of the citizen when these expectations are not met. This is especially important for a country like Greece, where, in contrast to what is happening in Sweden or Austria, the migrant population has gone down, not up. The problem in Greece is not that we have a rise of migrants; the problem is, to some extent, the exact opposite.”

Ms. Angeliki Dimitriadi, Head of the Migration Programme of ELIAMEP, criticized the narrative that smugglers decide who enters Europe, emphasizing that it is the lack of legal pathways that forces migrants and refugees to turn to smuggling. “People resort to smugglers because we don’t offer legal paths for those in need of protection. And we don’t have a lot of legal entry paths for low and medium skilled laborers who could otherwise be very useful for our economies. …this pushes people to smugglers and of course it produces further exploitation. We are overly focused on the regular component and far less focused on the legal component on which we should be really prioritize in the years to come, especially as we’re moving into a world that will face competition for labor.”

In addition, Ms. Stella Nanou, Head of Communications for UNHCR Greece highlighted the importance of using accurate and respectful terminology when discussing migration. She pointed out that the use of terms like “illegal arrivals” or metaphors such as “waves” and “tsunamis”, to describe human migration, dehumanizes people and fuels fear. “Words matter, they shape realities and mindsets. Especially in the migration debate, language isn’t just a tool, it’s a huge responsibility that affects human life. There are other ways to speak about migration in a very humane manner without giving to the public the notion that it’s something to be afraid of, a tactic that does not lead to solutions. This kind of language does not leave any space for workable solutions and that’s the real problem.” 

Mr. Alexander Rhodes, Partner and Head of Mishcon Purpose, Mishcon de Reya, addressed the issue of climate migration, stating “When one talks about people being forced to move because they have no choice through the lens of human rights, we are talking about the human rights of the communities from which they are moving, through which they are moving, and of course to which they are moving. And the challenge for our politicians in host countries is to respond to the human rights of our constituents and the needs of our constituents. And their job is to explain that countries to which migrants move benefit in net, as opposed to the communities from which these people are forced to move, who certainly don’t.”

The discussion was honored by the presence of the internationally renowned filmmaker and director, Michael P. Nash who reflected on his experiences making the documentary Climate Refugees in 2010: “There were so many questions that I asked back in 2008 and 2009, when we were traveling around documenting, but found no answers. And so, I think it’s incredibly important to participate in healthy discussions, in forums like this, about migration, because there’s so much data that needs to be analyzed to give a voice to all voiceless victims that are being forced to relocate for survival.”

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY: CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS CALL THE EU TO FOSTER A VIBRANT CIVIC SPACE

Posted on Friday September 13th, 2024

This International Day of Democracy, September 15th, civil society calls on EU leaders to take decisive actions to foster a vibrant civic space, uphold democracy and safeguard fundamental rights. SolidarityNow co-signed the open letter alongside 416 organizations which outlines concrete actions to promote democracy, enable, support and protect civil society, strengthen civil dialogue and protect human rights amid growing concerns over the erosion of democracy in the EU.

Specifically, it calls for prioritising: 

  1. A European Civil Society Strategy
  2. A strong mandate for a Commission Vice President responsible for democracy, civic space and civil dialogue
  3. The adoption of a Civil Dialogue Agreement
  4. Empowering funding policies
  5. A European Democracy Semester
  6. A stronger role of the Fundamental Rights Agency

The open letter #EUCivicSpaceNow is addressed to the upcoming Polish, Danish, and Cypriot Presidencies of the Council of the European Union, as well as the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament.

Linking over 150 refugees with Seasonal Positions in Northern Greece

Posted on Friday August 30th, 2024

written by Georgia Spyropoulou | Advocacy and Communication Officer

 

Enhancing Employment: How SolidarityNow Linked Over 150 Refugees to Seasonal Jobs in Processing Units in Northern Greece

In a constantly changing job market, connecting workers with the right employers is an ongoing need. SolidarityNow addresses this challenge through specific actions by providing a range of employability support services. Focusing on protecting workers’ rights, the organization ensures that the job search process is completed effectively and meaningfully in a safe working environment.

At SolidarityNow, our services are designed and operated to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge required to secure legal and dignified employment, while also developing networking initiatives aimed at linking companies and businesses with job seekers who possess the appropriate job qualifications. This dual focus creates a channel that benefits both parties.

The structures and support systems we provide at the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow and the Refugee Support Center in Thessaloniki operate so that our beneficiaries can integrate, become empowered, and achieve autonomy. Over the years, we have built bonds of trust with the beneficiaries who use our services. In employment, this is particularly important because they know that our support framework operates with their labor integration, legality, and overall safeguarding of their employment right. For this reason, our services have a multiplier effect, resulting in a growing number of people using our services. In recent years, in response to labor market needs, not only job seekers but also companies and businesses have been approaching our services to meet their human resource needs.

The impact of SolidarityNow’s employability services is evident in the numerous success stories achieved over the years. Individuals from diverse educational backgrounds have found employment, while companies have benefited from finding both larger and smaller numbers of employees. A recent example is the collaboration that began in 2022 and continues to this day with companies in the fruit processing and trading sector based in Northern Greece. There, the need for personnel created a partnership through which more than 120 individuals found employment in 2022, and 50 individuals in 2024. More specifically, fruit processing companies reached out to SolidarityNow to fill positions in the production sector. As a result, asylum seekers residing in the accommodation facilities of Nea Kavala, Diavata, Langadikia, and within the urban area of the city found employment. For those residing in the accommodation facilities, where a lack of transportation hinders job search efforts, the provision of organized transportation by these companies made their employment feasible. It is equally important that through this connection and collective hiring process, individuals with vulnerabilities also find work.

By connecting asylum seekers residing in Northern Greece’s accommodation facilities with local businesses, SolidarityNow is making significant strides in promoting economic independence and social cohesion. As more refugees and asylum seekers gain employment and contribute to the local economy, the positive impact of this process will continue to benefit those who find jobs, the local community, and the economy.

*Since August 1st, 2023, the operation of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow is supported by the Swiss-Greek Cooperation Programme/Embassy of Switzerland in Greece to reducing economic and social disparities in the EU and by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.Since August 2022, the Athens Solidarity Center is financed by EEA Grants with ΣΟΛ Crowe and HumanRights360 as the fund operator. The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

** The Blue Refugee Center  is supported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ | Το έργο «Τζαφ Ανγκλάλ» τιμά την Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Μνήμης του Ολοκαυτώματος των Ρομά στην Ευρώπη

Posted on Monday July 29th, 2024

Το νέο έργο της οργάνωσης σε συνεργασία με την ΑμΚΕ REVMA, πήρε το όνομά του από τη Ρομανί γλώσσα και σημαίνει “Πάμε Μπροστά!”. Μέσα από τις δράσεις του έργου επιδιώκεται η προώθηση του θεμελιώδους δικαιώματος για ίση πρόσβαση στην εκπαίδευση των παιδιών Ρομά. Ο δρόμος προς τα εμπρός όμως επιτυγχάνεται μόνο τιμώντας το παρελθόν.

Για αυτό, το SolidarityNow, η ΑμΚΕ REVMA και οι συμμετέχοντες και συμμετέχουσες στο «Τζαφ Ανγκλάλ» προσκαλούν τους κατοίκους της Θεσσαλονίκης, την Παρασκευή 2 Αυγούστου στις 19.00 στην πλατεία Αριστοτέλους, για να ενημερωθούν, να θυμηθούν και να τιμήσουν μαζί την 80η επέτειο από την Ημέρα του Ολοκαυτώματος των Ρομά.

Εκεί θα παρουσιαστεί η ιστορική διαδρομή ενός ξεχασμένου Ολοκαυτώματος, που στοίχισε τη ζωή περισσότερων από 500.000 Ρομά στην Ευρώπη, δημιουργώντας παράλληλα την ευκαιρία διαλόγου γύρω από ζητήματα που  αφορούν τις πολύμορφες τσιγγάνικες κοινότητες.

Σήμερα, 80 χρόνια μετά από την 2α Αυγούστου 1944, πόσα έχουν αλλάξει στην Ευρώπη σε σχέση με τους Ρομά;

Οι Τσιγγάνοι συνεχίζουν σε πολλές περιπτώσεις να ζουν κάτω από το όριο της φτώχειας σε πρόχειρα καταλύματα χωρίς ρεύμα και τρεχούμενο νερό, ενώ στερούνται την πρόσβαση στην πρωτοβάθμια πρόληψη υγείας, την εργασία, την εκπαίδευση. 80 χρόνια μετά, ελάχιστα έχουν αλλάξει σε θέματα στερεοτύπων και προκαταλήψεων για τους Ρομά. Αυτός είναι και ο λόγος που η έμφαση στην εκπαίδευση είναι επιτακτική μια και μπορεί να αποτελέσει τη λύση για τα πολλά και χρόνια ζητήματα που ταλανίζουν αυτή την κοινωνική ομάδα.

«Τζαφ Ανγκλάλ: Για την ενδυνάμωση της σχολικής φοίτησης των παιδιών Ρομά»

Η πρωτοβουλία αυτή έρχεται να απαντήσει στα παραπάνω μέσα από ανοιχτές δράσεις, ενώ θα εστιάσει στην ενίσχυση του ρόλου των γονέων και των εκπαιδευτικών με στόχο την υποστήριξη των παιδιών, ώστε να εξασφαλιστεί η παραμονή τους στο σχολείο και η ολοκλήρωση της βασικής (υποχρεωτικής) εκπαίδευσης. Ταυτόχρονα, με τις κατάλληλες ενέργειες ενημέρωσης και ευαισθητοποίησης για το ευρύ κοινό, θα παρουσιαστούν ιστορίες των Ρομά μέσα από τις οποίες θα καταρριφθούν στερεότυπα και προκαταλήψεις που κάνουν πολλές φορές αδύνατη την ένταξη των Ρομά στον κοινωνικό ιστό.

Οι δράσεις του έργου θα υλοποιηθούν σε τρεις κοινότητες Ρομά της Κεντρικής Μακεδονίας: Δενδροπόταμος-Δήμος Αμπελοκήπων Μενεμένης, Δήμος Παύλου Μελά και Πέλεκας στον Δήμο Κατερίνης, όπου έχει παρατηρηθεί ότι το δικαίωμα στην εκπαίδευση είναι εξαιρετικά περιορισμένο, λόγω μιας σειράς προκλήσεων που αντιμετωπίζουν σήμερα οι εκπαιδευτικοί καθώς και οι Ρομά γονείς και τα παιδιά.

Ενημερωτικό φυλλάδιο Εκδήλωσης

*Το πρόγραμμα «Building a robust and democratic civic space» (BUILD) έχει ως στόχο την προστασία, την προώθηση και την ευρεία αναγνώριση των θεμελιωδών δικαιωμάτων και αξιών της Ε.Ε., μέσω της στήριξης οργανώσεων της Κοινωνίας των Πολιτών (OKοιΠ) στην Ελλάδα και την Κύπρο και της ενίσχυσης των ικανοτήτων και της βιωσιμότητάς τους. Το BUILD συγχρηματοδοτείται από την Ευρωπαϊκή ‘Ενωση, μέσω του προγράμματος Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV), το Ίδρυμα Μποδοσάκη και το Κέντρο Στήριξης ΜΚΟ Κύπρου με συνολικό ποσό επιχορήγησης €2,9 εκ. Συντονιστής του BUILD είναι το Ίδρυμα Μποδοσάκη (Ελλάδα) σε σύμπραξη με το Κέντρο Στήριξης ΜΚΟ (Κύπρος).

Με τη χρηματοδότηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Οι απόψεις και οι γνώμες που διατυπώνονται εκφράζουν αποκλειστικά τις απόψεις των συντακτών και δεν αντιπροσωπεύουν κατ’ ανάγκη τις απόψεις της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, του Ευρωπαϊκού Εκτελεστικού Οργανισμού Εκπαίδευσης και Πολιτισμού (EACEA) ή του Ιδρύματος Μποδοσάκη. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση και ο EACEA δεν μπορούν να θεωρηθούν υπεύθυνοι για τις εκφραζόμενες απόψεις.

Bridging the gap between vulnerable groups and employers

Posted on Monday July 22nd, 2024

Bridging the gap between vulnerable groups and employers

The integration or reintegration of a person from a particularly vulnerable population group into society through finding a job is not only a personal step towards equal integration, but also a collective step against prejudice.

Prejudices that marginalize or completely exclude people from the labor market.

Mental health problems, ageism, ageism, stigma, origin and others perpetuate social inequalities and hinder labour market integration or reintegration.

All the above and more are being targeted by SolidarityNow with the support of Alpha Bank through the “Bridging the Gap” program. The aim of the program is to bridge the gap between the needs of the private sector and the employment needs of people from specific social groups, with a focus on unemployed women from vulnerable backgrounds.

And yes, it is possible.

In this tribute we embrace the collaboration of private companies belonging to the nationwide network of the labor market liaison service, with Anna, Zoe, Adeola and Sophia!

4 women who found jobs.

4 employers and institutional bodies that believe in equal opportunities and make it practice.

SolidarityNow which helps both sides in their constant effort for equality, acceptance of diversity, justice, based on one principle: access to the labor market is a fundamental human right for all.

The program “Bridging the Gap” started in October 2023 and is implemented with the support of Alpha Bank.

Decent work at any age

The long-term unemployment and the rejection that Anna experienced from employers due to ageism caused her great stress and health problems. However, her eager personality and desire to develop led her to a private school to continue her education. The labor market liaison service of the “Bridging the Gap” program provided her with significant support by making use of its network of partner companies, immediately booking an interview for a cleaning job. Anna’s goal was at her 56 to get a part-time job that would cover her basic daily needs and with the help of the “Bridging the Gap” program she made it come true! Anna passed the interview and started working, now gaining a better quality of life!

From a difficult start in life to a new optimistic daily life

Zoe’s chronic homelessness and unsupportive family background have led her to live in very difficult circumstances, risking her survival daily. Her inclusion in the Housing and Work Program of the General Secretariat for Social Solidarity & Fight Against Poverty of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, provided her with a home. However, her stay and eligibility for this program had to be supported by a stable job. The labor market liaison service of the “Bridging the Gap” program supported her in terms of advice to prioritize her goals, and in practical terms by helping her to arrange two successful interviews. The 27-year-old Zoe is now working as a saleswoman in a clothes shop and can make ends meet, something that seemed impossible a short time ago without the support of the “Bridging the Gap” program. The stability now in her life offers her optimism and space to pursue amateur theatre that she loves so much!

Discrimination did not prevent her from achieving her dreams

Adeola’s Nigerian origin, even though she has lived in Greece for many years, has often been an obstacle in her search for a job as an English teacher, which would have led her to make use of her studies in English literature. She did not give up! Her energetic and bright personality motivated her to study again and train as a nursing assistant! Adeola is 66 years old and recently started working as a maid in a large hotel, taking advantage of the opportunity she was given through the “Bridging the Gap” program that helped Adeola to find immediate employment, in one of its network companies and continues to support her in her job applications for a nursing assistant position!

She claimed her right to work beyond all difficulties

The mental health difficulty that Sofia has been undergoing made her long-term unemployed, experiencing exclusion from job application and interview processes as well as stigma. But she has always been trying. Her experience in product promotion and her artistic nature gave her the confidence she needed to take the next steps. The labor market liaison service of the “Bridging the Gap” program supported Sophia on many levels, starting with psychological empowerment, then interview preparation, combined with help with the bureaucratic procedures, thus securing a job to which she can respond, feeling an active member of society and seeing and actual improvement on her daily life. Sophia, 56, joined the 55+ program of the Greek Public Employment Service (DYPA) and is currently working as a ticket collector in a public sector organization.

The program “Bridging the Gap” started in October 2023 and is implemented with the support of Alpha Bank.

 

 

PRESS RELEASE | Original educational materials for Robotics, Inclusion, Language, School Dropout

Posted on Tuesday July 16th, 2024

Handbooks for empowering teachers & enriching the educational process

SolidarityNow announces the release of four comprehensive educational tools designed to support teachers and promote a more inclusive and effective learning environment. The manuals address critical issues in modern education-robotics, inclusion, dropout prevention, language-providing innovative tools for educators. The four manuals include the following:

1.The Challenges of Robot X

A Handbook of Educational Robotics & creative storytelling that allows all children to participate equally. Teachers will find practical tips and examples of successful robotics projects that they can adapt to their own classrooms.

2. Me, You, Us: Acceptance and Inclusion

The Handbook stresses the importance of creating an inclusive classroom environment and provides teachers with activities based on the principles of experiential learning that promote, among other things, collaboration and teamwork, the expression of children’s feelings, and the activation of critical thinking.

3. A guide to preventing truancy

This practical guide is aimed at teachers and addresses the issue of students’ absenteeism or dropping out of the school environment. The aim is to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to understand the phenomenon of truancy and to develop the skills necessary for early prevention and effective management.

4. Guide to Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)

The Task-Based Language Teaching methodology offers students the opportunity to use language in a meaning-focused, spontaneous and unconstrained way, improving their language fluency and boosting their confidence at the same time. The Guide offers practical examples and activities that teachers can implement to make language learning more engaging and relevant for their students.

Read and download the material from the links below:

Robot X Challenges (GR): https://shorturl.at/zZJiI 

Me, You, Us: Acceptance and Inclusion (GR): https://shorturl.at/QUFNh

School Dropout Prevention Guide (GR): https://tinyurl.com/282j7kgs

A Guide to Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) (GR): https://tinyurl.com/29e7vb8k

The original educational material was developed using practices implemented in the framework of the “All Children in Education” programme. The “All Children in Education” programme was an initiative of UNICEF Greece in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigration & Asylum and co-funded by the European Union and implemented by a number of partners, including SolidarityNow. The project ended 30.6.2024.