Female Forward

The bilateral initiative “Female Forward” was launched in October 2024 and concluded in June of the same year. Its aim was to strengthen the existing partnership and enhance the collaboration between SolidarityNow (SN) and the Norwegian NGO Dråpen i Havet / Drop in the Ocean (DiH), both working to support displaced people, especially vulnerable women, and children. During the initiative the following activities were conducted: a) the exchange of know-how and sharing of information through study visits of experts from Greece and Norway, b) the exchange of best practices related to the community engagement and integration of women asylum seekers and refugees residing in refugee camps/sites and c) the joint implementation of activities of community engagement and support targeting women asylum seekers and refugees specifically in the camp of Nea Kavala/ Polykastro in Northern Greece.

“Female Forward” was funded under the Bilateral Fund of the “Asylum & Migration” programme in Greece, with a total budget of 125,000 euros. The Proogramme is financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The bilateral fund aspires to promote collaboration, exchange of knowledge and good practices between legal entities in Greece and in the Donor States. The Fund Operator for the “Asylum & Migration” programme in Greece is SOL Consulting S.A in partnership with Human Rights 360, while the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI), acts as a Donor Programme Partner (DPP) https://www.asylumandmigration-eeagrants.gr

Harmonizing Protection Practices in Greece (HARP)

The “Harmonized protection practices in Greece” (HARP) project was implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece) in collaboration with SolidarityNow and other organizations in 25 open accommodation structures across the country.  The project aimed to improve the quality of humanitarian response and protection assistance to migrants hosted within the Greek Reception system. The project was funded by EU-DG Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME). The program started in January 2022 and ended in December 2022.

SN was responsible for three components of the project:

1. Provision of legal aid and representation to the residents of (8) sites. The project focused on the protection of the most vulnerable groups such as single-parent households, victims of sexual and gender-based violence, separated minors and children at risk. The team consisted of 7 lawyers and 3 interpreters in 5 cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Thebes, Chalkida and Kavala) providing legal representation and legal assistance 24 hours a day covering a wide range of cases.
2. Provision of labor market orientation to the residents of twelve 12 sites aiming to inform and prepare asylum seekers to join the labor market and take the first steps towards self–reliance. SN carried out group information sessions, complemented by individualized counselling, networking with employers and relevant events and activities.

• Operation of Female Friendly Spaces in 12 sites. Through the operation of the spaces, SN l promoted women’s empowerment, awareness raising and the prevention of GBV. The spaces brought together women residing in sites to participate in psychoeducational and psychosocial activities, promote healing and encourage peer-to-peer support. The spaces were operated on a daily basis by trained staff (facilitators and interpreters).

The results of the project:

• 467 beneficiaries received legal support, 207 cases were handled and 246 legal representations in judicial and other authorities were carried out.
• 510 beneficiaries received employability services, and 302 found a job.
• 343 women beneficiaries were empowered through the Female Spaces.

Urgent support to unaccompanied minors in temporary accommodation structures in Northern Greece

SolidarityNow provides care and support services to 175 unaccompanied children, in three temporary accommodation facilities in northern Greece, specifically in the prefectures of Kozani and Ioannina. Unaccompanied minors, who previously lived either in Reception & Identification Centers, or were in custody, are supported by appropriate services (psychosocial support, legal assistance, interpretation, educational and recreational activities, access to medical care, etc.). 

This emergency intervention was implemented under the general coordination of the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, the cooperation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the support of the European Commission.

Supported Independent Living Apartments for Unaccompanied Children aged 16 or more “Step by Step”

SolidarityNow offered an alternative form of care for unaccompanied children aged 16 to 18, ultimately aiming towards their social integration. Specifically, through a qualified and multidisciplinary team of professionals, the program provided safe housing in supervised apartments in Athens and Thessaloniki, accompanied by a set of support services (psychosocial support, legal counselling, interpretation, access to medical care, educational and recreational activities, employability counselling, etc), provided by expert professionals of the organization.

“Step by Step” supported hosted children in several ways: through individualized care and protection; improvement of their skills and capabilities; support in order to formulate and realize their personal goals; and finally, through the reinforcement of their self-confidence and self-reliance, in order to gradually become more autonomous in their transition towards adulthood, and to become active members of the Greek society.

The program (MIS:5063334) was funded within the framework of the National Program of the Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund and the European Union and implemented with the support of the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, and in collaboration with the Public Prosecutors for Minors and the Local Competent Public Prosecutors.

 

Blue Dot – Child and Family Care Hubs

The “Blue Dot” program started its operation in 2016 and was implemented until February 2019. The program’s objective was to create “Blue Dots”, safe support centers providing child protection services, as well as prevention, and response to gender-based violence. The program was funded by the European Commission, Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, with UNICEF as the grantee.

UNICEF established “Blue Dots” along the Balkan corridor through which, at the time, asylum seekers/refugees were passing through in their attempt to reach Central and Western European countries. SolidarityNow was the main implementing partner in Greece. The basic methodology employed was the holistic and interdisciplinary approach to child protection. Each “Blue Dot” consisted of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, namely social workers, psychologists, lawyers, as well as educators/social scientists trained on the operation of child-friendly spaces, and social scientists trained on the operation of female-friendly spaces.

In November 2017, non-formal education was also added to the Blue Dots. Emphasis was given to children and families in need, aiming to further support them.

The program was implemented across different geographical areas of Greece, in places of reception and accommodation of refugees, including the port of Piraeus, the Blue Refugee Center (Refugee Community Center in Thessaloniki), the Blue Dot of Athens (the Migrant Integration Center of the Municipality of Athens) and also in open accommodation sites throughout Greece, especially in Eleusis, Thermopylae, Elaionas, Oinofyta, Malakasa, Lavrio, Thiva, Ritsona, Kato Milia, Aetopetra, Petra Olympos, Oreokastro, Kavalari, Volvi, Drama, Serres, Kavala, Ioannina Filippiada, Doliana.

Through the program 13,727 children and their families were supported.

The operation of the Child & Family Care Hubs included:

• Child-Friendly Spaces providing¸ psychosocial, recreational, and educational activities for children aiming to restore the sense of normality that they have lost during the journey.
• Identification, case management and referral of vulnerable persons to specialized services, including vulnerable families, single mothers, people with disabilities or illnesses and children at risk with an emphasis on unaccompanied and separated children. SN cooperated with the local competent Prosecutors’ Offices, the National Center for Social Solidarity, the First Reception and Identification Service, and other institutional stakeholders inside and outside the open accommodation sites, regarding procedures such as:  custody assignment to guardians of separated children, Dublin process for family reunification, etc.
• Legal assistance and representation for protection issues (such as gender-based violence), as well as all international protection application procedures.
• Breastfeeding corners and provision of reproductive, neonatal, and postnatal care and counseling.
• Sharing efficient and accurate informationto refugees and migrants, about their rights (before and after applying for international protection).
• Provision of l psycho-social services, and referrals when needed.
• Provision of non-formal education and school support for school-age children, with an emphasis on combating school dropouts.

Child and Family Support Hubs (CFSH)

The Child and Family Support Hubs program was supported by UNICEF Greece and IOM Greece, with funding from the EU, DG HOME, in the framework of the program “Supporting the Greek Authorities in Managing the National Reception System for Asylum Seekers and Vulnerable Migrants”. The Child and Family Support Hubs were developed on the existing root of the Blue Dot program from February 2019 to October 2021.

The CFSH were expanded to new locations and joined the wider framework of providing services in open refugee accommodation structures of the SMS Project, with the International Organization for Migration being the main partner. The scientific teams (consisting of social workers, psychologists, lawyers, as well as educators/social scientists trained in the operation of women-friendly spaces) provided non-formal education to children and adolescents with an emphasis on child protection. The field teams were active in the prevention and response of child protection incidents, providing psychosocial support, legal counseling, and representation where necessary (e.g., cases of gender-based violence). Cooperation with the local authorities continued and strengthened (locally competent Prosecutors’ Offices, EKKA, and later with the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors (SSPUM) of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum). The identification of unaccompanied and separated children remained one of the main priorities of the program. At the same time, non-formal education teachers provided lessons (Greek, English, math/science) and school support, aiming to prevent dropouts, and improving child’s educational level and life skills. The program objective was the provision of holistic protection and non-formal education services, with personalized adjustments based on individual needs.

The program was implemented in different locations in open accommodation sites: Andravida, Vagiochori, Volvi, Drama, Elaionas, Thermopyles, Serres, Thiva, Kavala, Kato Milia, Pieria, Malakasa, Oinophyta, Ritsona.

Through the program 17,543 children and their families have been supported.

Hosting and Accommodation programs

From April 2016 to August 2021, SolidarityNow implemented innovative accommodation programs for refugees and asylums seekers.

The aim of the program was to ameliorate the everyday life of those people, to help them become more autonomous and to be appropriately prepared to claim their rights and take charge as well as responsibility for their new lives.

The Accommodation program was implemented all over Greece in Attika, Thessaloniki, in Ioannina and in the island of Tilos.

The program included collective housing, autonomous accommodation, and shelters for particularly vulnerable groups, to respond efficiently to the urgent needs of providing quality accommodation solutions within the urban landscape.

SolidarityNow created the Athens Social Service Center, where relevant services were provided by the program’s social workers, to promote self-reliance of the beneficiaries, community engagement but also local integration.

Since the beginning of the program, SolidarityNow provided a plethora of quality services to those in need, through qualified and experienced professionals, such as information, interpretation, psychological support, referral to medical services, entertaining and educational activities. These services aimed to help our beneficiaries make their living better and smoothly integrate to the Greek society.

In addition, through the Accommodation program, SolidarityNow supported the local economy, mainly with the renting of vacant apartments in the urban areas.

Specialized needs, specialized structures

The Accommodation & Services Programs dealt with different types of structures which corresponded to different needs, such as:

• Housing in independent apartments, buildings and hostels for most beneficiaries of the programs.
• Guesthouse for Young Adults Refugees and Asylum seekers in Athens. In cooperation with the Society for the Care of Minors, SolidarityNow hosted a total of 25 young men, aged 18-22.
• Special accommodation and support program called “Safe Refugee” for the LGBTQI+ refugees. 
• Tilos – Pilot Program for Social Coexistence, which has been an example of a locally-funded international project, through which local communities have welcomed refugees by supporting them and making sure they have a smooth integration in the society. 

You can read the program’s statistics here.

ESTIA, the Emergency Support to Integration and Accommodation programme, was implemented by UNHCR and funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union.

 

Not Alone in Europe

From June 2019 to June 2021 the “Not Alone in Europe” (Innovative Youth Work and Intersectional Practices for Young Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers) project pursues the double aim of educating and training youth workers who are meeting young LGBTQ+ migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Initially, “Not Alone in Europe” will offer a train-the-trainer course for youth workers meeting young LGBTQ+ migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in order to make them more confident with intersectional approaches in their work and how to include LGBTQ+ perspectives in their work. The aim of the train-the-trainer course is to enable the participants to implement the “Not alone in Europe” workshops in their own cities.
This will ultimately result in the creation of a network for support and visibility for young LGBTQ+migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. In order to further disseminate the educational tools, a supporting online platform will be established.

Objectives:

• To empower, engage, inspire and support young LGBTQI+ migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in European countries.
• To develop training competencies and support youth workers, educators, community mediators and social workers who are meeting young migrants, refugees and asylum seekers on how to better include intersectionality and LGBTQI+ perspectives in their activities.
• To generate synergies for networking and cooperation strategies among youth organisations working with young refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Europe.
• To create innovative youth work and intersectional methodological tools that can be disseminated to associated partners and other organisations in order to share the outputs and experiences of the project.

Target groups:

• Youth workers, educators, community mediators, ​and social workers in Europe who are working with young migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and want to become “Not alone in Europe” workshop leaders.
• Young LGBTQI+ migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (YLMRA) in Europe.

Partner organisations:

• AHEAD – Association of Human Rights Educators / Spain
• Noorteorganisatsioon Trajectorya  / Estonia
• UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees / Turkey
• Humanitarian Organizacija Jesuit Refugee Service / Serbia
• ARCIGAY – Comitato Provinciale ARCIGAY Di Bologna Il Cassero Associazione / Italy
• SolidarityNow / Greece

 

Bridging Rainbow

The project “Bridging Rainbow” aimed to raise awareness about this vulnerable social group by increasing the knowledge and understanding of all relevant stakeholders. It also intended to contribute to strengthening the collaboration between all stakeholders supporting the LGBTQI+ refugee community and acted as an accelerator of social change. Furthermore, it sought to support LGBTQI+ refugees & asylum seekers and facilitated the pathway towards social inclusion and integration in Greece.

The project included:

• Sensitization training and information sessions regarding the legal framework and the asylum procedure
• Workshops to facilitate access to and support the integration into the labor market
• Capacity-building of stakeholders that serve this group
• Relevant awareness-raising events

Τhe project was implemented by SolidarityNow and supported by the Municipality of Barcelona and the foundation ACSAR:

Following their Footsteps

The closure of the borders and the Balkan route resulted in several thousands of people being trapped in Greece. Among them, the most vulnerable group: unaccompanied and separated children. Even though they are the most vulnerable, these children often do not receive the protection enshrined in European and international law.

In order to safeguard the human right to safety and decent living conditions, Faros in collaboration with four other organizations – SolidarityNow, Merimna, CivisPlus and Babel – launched a program entitled “Following their Footsteps”.

The program aimed to strengthen the systematic identification and registration of unaccompanied and separated minors living under difficult conditions in the streets of Athens and the provision of holistic care and hospitality through an alternative to detention or life on the streets. More specifically, the program aimed to provide these children social integration opportunities, enhance the effectiveness of the existing support network in Athens and contributed decisively to reducing the phenomenon of absconding from accommodation structures through advocacy for the development of a specific national policy.

The project was funded by EPIM (European Programme for Integration and Migration).

Care4Solidarity

SolidarityNow and CARE International (within the START Network), implemented a program that responded to the vital food needs of vulnerable populations, including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, unemployed Greeks, and any other groups with urgent nutritional needs.

Care4Solidarity helped to fill the gap between groups who were in need of food assistance, but were excluded from the relevant public assistance programs. The project empowered these groups by provided cash vouchers directly to them, thereby giving these individuals the flexibility to decide for themselves which food items they wish to purchase to best meet their needs.

The project has been completed and was funded by Care International.