78 people dead and hundreds missing is the fatal account of the tragedy in Pylos, which comes to be added to a multitude of others that have been recorded in the Mediterranean in recent years.

“At SolidarityNow we express our deepest sorrow for the loss of so many lives and our undivided support to the relatives of the victims and the missing. The Mediterranean Sea continues to be the most dangerous passage in Europe for thousands of people, who risk their lives in search of safety”, Marilyn Polena, General Manager.

The absence of safe and legal migration routes forces people to be exposed to conditions of exploitation by traffickers by embarking on journeys that put their lives at risk. The tragedy of Pylos, which ironically took place after the agreement on the two main pillars of asylum and migration reform on June 8^th by the Council of Europe, reinstates the need for an agreement on migration and asylum based primarily on the respect for human life.

SolidarityNow argues that the institutions involved should take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and ensure a people-centered immigration and asylum management system. For this purpose, it is considered necessary to create safe and legal migration routes, since the possibility of legal entry into the member states of the European Union will offer people who were forced to leave their homes due to persecution, conflicts, violence, human rights violations, the opportunity to seek protection and safety, thereby reducing the risks associated with illegal immigration.

At the same time, the European Union must introduce an effective and mandatory mechanism of cooperation and solidarity between member states to help host countries face humanitarian challenges. In the context of compliance with international law, Greece, as a border country, is a recipient of migration flows, but has an obligation to respect international law and act with respect for human rights, ensuring fair and effective asylum procedures.

In the context of a people-centered European migration and asylum policy, establishing safe and legal pathways for people on the move is one way.

SolidarityNow, with a vision to support the most vulnerable members of society without discrimination and with a belief in the value and power of solidarity, supports Athens Pride 2023. SolidarityNow employees and volunteers will meet on Saturday 10 June at 19.00 at Kotzia Square, to proudly walk by the side of the LGBTQI+ community the path towards acceptance and equality.

“Once upon a time …I claimed, and I got.” With this as this year’s motto and with the hope that the struggles of the LGBTQI+ community will be the beginning of a fairy tale with a happy ending in the future, Athens Pride is demanding civil marriage for all, adoption and the right to recognition of LGBTQI+ children, the elimination of stereotypes and homophobic verbal and physical attacks, the right to self-determination of body and identity, and the prevention of interventions on intersex people.

10 years by the side of anyone in need

SolidarityNow to date has actively supported more than 350,000 people, without discrimination. The mission of the organization is to stand by the side of anyone in need and of course anyone who is censored for their choices, denied the right to self-determination.

In its 10-year journey, the organization has implemented specialized support and care programs for refugees and migrants, members of the LGBTQI+ community, who face double stigma both because of their gender identity and nationality. Through specific actions SolidarityNow has provided assistance (housing and psychosocial support) to more than 90 refugees, members of the LGBTQI+ community, and has trained more than 150 field professionals on legal and other issues concerning LGBTQI+ asylum seekers.

In addition, through the services offered free of charge (psychological, social, accounting, employment) at the organization’s Athens Solidarity Center, members of the LGBTQI+ community, regardless of country or origin, benefit in various ways. Noteworthy is the assistance of the Center’s Legal Service in the process of legal recognition of gender identity, an issue of utmost importance for which there were legal gaps until recently. To date, the Legal Service has supported more than 39 people to complete the process and now live as they wish.

With smaller or larger interventions, SolidarityNow always seeks to be there for both the LGBTQI+ community and the workers/experts who support this population.  Through such an intervention, the organization published recently “A Useful Guide for Professionals in the LGBTQI+ Migrant, Refugee, Asylum Seeker field”, which is available here (only in Greek).

SolidarityNow signed the Diversity Charter for Greek businesses of KEAN -Cell of Alternative Youth Activities and joined the Diversity Charter Greece.

“We are very happy that as of today we became a member of the European Diversity Initiative and of Diversity Charter Greece. At SolidarityNow we envision an open, inclusive society where diversity has a positive sign and enhances the lives of all of us. For us, inclusion is the fundamental value we defend through the programs and actions we implement“, underlined Marilyn Polena, General Manager of the organization.

“SolidarityNow works to improve the living conditions of our vulnerable fellow human beings, so that they can rebuild their lives with dignity and prospects, has signed the Diversity Charter for Greek businesses. The organization that has in its philosophy the respect, defense, and protection of human rights, is more than reasonable to become a member of the Diversity Charter. We welcome them with happiness“, said Stavros Milionis, President of KEAN, and Founder of the Diversity Charter Greece.

The Diversity Charter, an initiative of the European Commission to promote Diversity in business, was established in Greece in 2019. Greece became the 23^rd country to sign the Charter. Its aim is to act as a means of commitment to the implementation of equal opportunities, and diversity in every working environment in Greece. In Greece, the Diversity Charter is implemented by KEAN in collaboration with the Institute for Diversity and Integration – D & I.

by the Athens Solidarity Center of SolidarityNow

One of the main discussion issues regarding childhood worldwide is the exposure to violence and especially the exposure to domestic violence. It is apparent that over time, we witness advances and changes towards a better approach to the issue.

However, even today, many of us, if not all of us, have occasionally heard phrases like “nothing bad happened to me even though I was beaten a little”. We should note, of course, that violence against children is not only physical, but also emotional and verbal, and of course neglect is also violence.

Reflecting on the operation of the psychological service of the Athens Solidarity Center in the first quarter of 2023, we became once again witnesses of the devastating consequences of domestic violence in a child’s life that follow him/her in adulthood as well.

Unfortunately, we observed the following, without any surprise:

In more than 60% of the cases (all adults), one of the key factors in the development of severe psycho-emotional difficulties and social exclusion is the neglect and exposure to violence within the family when they the beneficiaries were children. It is interesting to note that while we meet people of various nationalities in the Centre, the percentage of the Greeks who seek support from the service due to such incidents and trauma is higher than that of other nationalities. This of course does not suggest that in Greece people are more violent towards children than people in other countries (there are different answers to be given here), but we can certainly conclude that violence against children has no nationality.

At the same time, we saw that these cases are the ones that require the longest support and tend to be the cases that remain in the service extended time than cases of people who have not been exposed to such events.

* Since August 2022, the Athens Solidarity Center is financed by EEA Grants, with ΣΟΛ Crowe and HumanRights360 as the fund operator.

**From 1/7/2021 till 30/6/2023, Kahane Foundation supports the Psychosocial service of the Athens Solidarity Center.

***The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.

SolidarityNow, with the aim of providing support to the vulnerable members of our society through innovative social actions, launches the “MAMA” program. The program, implemented with the support of Eurolife FFH, targets all families, pregnant women, and new parents from vulnerable social groups, who want to be informed and empowered about the care of the mother, the young child, and the whole family.

As part of the program, individual and group counseling is provided on topics such as nutrition, exercise, and care during pregnancy, preparation for childbirth, breastfeeding, and baby care. Parents with babies and toddlers up to 2 years of age are provided with counseling on child nutrition and parenting. At the same time, the team organizes discussions and awareness-raising activities on issues of perinatal care and parenthood.

The “MAMA” program is implemented in Thessaloniki throughout 2023, by experienced staff of the organization in order to provide proper support and care to the participants, so that they can better respond to their new role in life. The services are also provided remotely (online), for those who do not live in Thessaloniki or for those who find it difficult to transport.

Anyone interested can register by filling out the following form: and the program’s team will contact them as soon as possible.

by Giorgos Tsitiridis, Project Coordinator, Northern Greece, SolidarityNow

April 8^th has been declared the International Romani Day in honor of the first major international meeting of Romani representatives, April 1971 in Chelsfield near London, which laid the foundations to demand rights from the international community. There, representatives of 14 countries chose the name Roma as the international name for gypsies, since until then they had – and still have today – many other names, by which they identify themselves. Five committees were established to deal with education, housing, language, culture, and civilization. 

Social exclusion, poverty, and inequalities did not allow the Roma to become part of the changes and development experienced by Europe and the Balkans after the atrocities and the Holocaust of World War ΙΙ, on the contrary, they were the victims of every subsequent global crisis. The fall of the communist regime once again found them on the sidelines. Victims of ethnic cleansing in the war in Yugoslavia were driven to persecution, refugee status, and migration toward a better future.

Their social exclusion, poverty, access to health, work and education as well marginalization and racism are enhanced by the economic crisis, the rising unemployment, the current energy crisis and climate change, the often-inadequate living conditions in settlements without electricity, running water, and basic infrastructure, issues of main importance.

SolidarityNow, through its Solidarity Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki, has offered its services to lots of Roma in need. Since 2021, the organization has been collaborating with the Roma Branch of the Katerini Community Center in the implementation of women’s empowerment activities and information on child nutrition, women’s health, parenthood, and pregnancy. In addition, it participates in the Roma Civil Monitor National Partnership 2021-2025 for the monitoring of the National Roma Strategy.

Despite the chronic problems plaguing their settlements, Roma themselves fight daily against the bad conditions, having managed to save over the centuries, their language, history, and culture.

Today is an opportunity to reflect and act against stereotypes and prejudice. Today, we celebrate and stand next to each one proudly.