From December 2018 to June 2022, SolidarityNow in partnership with STAR UK provided an innovative interactive and communication experience to its beneficiaries -refugees and asylum seekers- and to students-volunteers.

The aim of the program was on the one hand to challenge students’ daily life regarding stereotypes and prejudices through personal experience, and on the other hand, to strengthen beneficiaries’ knowledge in the Greek and English languages, providing a friendly and safe environment, thus make them feel more confident paving the way of social integration in Greece. Providing support to young refugees by young Greek students was an opportunity for both parties to experience together the importance of equal opportunities in a person’s life.

In the beginning of the program’s implementation, the students-volunteers were mainly from the Universities of Thessaloniki (Aristotle, University of Macedonia, International University of Greece), whereas in March 2020, after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, all actions became digital, fact that led to the expansion of the network to other Universities.

In addition, what was particularly emphasized during the program’s implementation was for refugees and asylum seekers to acquire the ability to take initiatives, not just develop skills. For this purpose, specially designed educational and recreational activities were organized, based on non-formal education, as well as significant partnerships with voluntary university networks. Also, the students-volunteers actively participated in the festival Refugee Week (20-26/6/2022) and in the Thessaloniki Pride Festival (25/6/2022).

Students become the new STARTnow leaders!

In a specifically designed multi-room within the Blue Refugee Center of SolidarityNow in Thessaloniki, students-volunteers will be the ones to continue “STARTnow”, by taking initiatives and interacting directly with the refugee population!

There, they will continue, through Conversation Clubs and other non-formal learning activities, their contact with refugees and asylum seekers, supporting them in learning Greek and English. The primary goal is always the development of language skills, recognizing the important role of language as the unique and essential tool for smooth social inclusion, especially when it is taught through alternative educational methods (discussion, interactive games, audiovisual media) as it suits to the youth!

*The program was implemented by SolidarityNow in partnership with STAR UK.

The German Foreign Minister, Analena Baerbock, visited SolidarityNow’s Athens Solidarity Center on Thursday 28^th July, on the first day of her arrival in Greece, where a discussion was held with representatives of civil society organizations.

The Chairman of SolidarityNow’s Board of Directors, Mr. Stelios Zavvos, welcomed the Minister to the Athens Solidarity Center and coordinated the discussion aiming to share information about the current situation of migration in Greece, the work of the participating organizations and the role of other European countries in managing the issue. The visit was an initiative of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Embassy in Greece, and the discussion was attended by the German Ambassador to Greece, Dr. Ernst Reichel. The representatives of the other three organizations which participated were: Lefteris Papagiannakis, Greek Council for Refugees, Alexandros Chrysomallos, Equal Rights Beyond Borders, and Maria Moudatsou, PRAKSIS.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Baerbock, at our emblematic Solidarity Center in Athens where we had the opportunity to present the work carried to support the most vulnerable members of our society and, together with the representatives of other organizations, to inform her of the issues concerning refugees and migrants in our country, but also to emphasize the solidarity with which Greeks have welcome refugees in recent years and the need for further practical support from Europe, always in the spirit and vision of European solidarity”, Mr. Zavvos stated at the end of the visit.

“It is extremely positive that the German Minister of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with representatives of NGOs active in Refugee and Migration issues. On this occasion, and on behalf of the Greek Council for Refugees, she was informed about issues of pushbacks, reception, and difficulty in accessing asylum, the lack of a national policy for integration, and the criminalization of solidarity, and the action of NGOs”, Lefteris Papagiannakis, Director of the Greek Council for Refugees.

“At the meeting with the German Minister of Foreign Affairs, we had the opportunity to highlight the issue of the complete lack of integration prospects for recognized refugees in Greece, as well as the implementation of a policy to deter migratory flows, either through obstacles in accessing the asylum process on the islands and the mainland, when returns to Turkey have been suspended, or through a systematic reduction in benefits for asylum seekers. We also expressed our concern about returns of recognized and rejected applicants from Germany to Greece within the framework of Dublin refugees in the future, as this would constitute a violation of fundamental rights and expose them to pushbacks, exploitation, and inhumane living conditions”, Alexandros Chrysomallos, Equal Rights Beyond Borders. 

“On behalf of PRAKSIS, we informed the German Foreign Minister on issues relating to refugee and migrant support, the needs, gaps, and weaknesses of social inclusion, as well as our concerns for the immediate future. Reception, housing, vulnerable population groups, issues related to central policy in support of refugees and migrants, were the main topics discussed”, Maria Moudatsou, Vice-President of the Board of Directors of PRAKSIS.

Beneficiaries of the “Guaranteed Minimum Income” are excluded from its payment due to an increase in the objective value of their property

The Social Service of SolidarityNow’s Athens Solidarity Center observes an increase in people visiting the Center in an effort to understand why they are no longer entitled to financial support through the “Minimum Guaranteed Income” (MGI) program.

The MGI is a unique source of income for hundreds of thousands of Greek citizens and foreigners living in Greece, below the poverty line. The beneficiaries of this aid are determined by income and other property criteria, which have been determined on the basis of its fairest possible distribution.

In practice, however, it can be observed that sometimes decisions concerning general economic policy and indirectly leading to the redefinition of the presumptions of subsistence exclude from the MGI individuals and families whose real economic situation does not justify this exclusion.

Such an example is the recent redefinition of the objective values of real estate and their increase, especially in neighborhoods of the center of Athens. Due to this development, MGI beneficiaries, who are beneficiaries of SolidarityNow’s Solidarity Center in Athens, are excluded from its payment, due to the increase in the objective value of their property, in which they live.

A typical case is the case of a Center’s beneficiary, whose objective apartment value was increased from 60,000 to 115,000 euros, thus far exceeding the limit of 90,000 established for the MGI. This woman has no other income, she is over 55 years old and faces health problems, which make the payment of the Minimum Guaranteed Income literally a matter of survival.

Finally, it is worth noting that this development does not concern only MGI, as this property limit is applied to determine the beneficiaries and other social benefits, such as the pension of uninsured elderly people, etc.

by the Social Service of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow

The income support provided through the welfare program “Guaranteed Minimum Income” (GMI) is the only means of financial aid for hundreds of thousands of Greek citizens as well as foreigners living in Greece in conditions of extreme poverty. The beneficiaries of the program are defined through income and other property criteria, which have been determined with a view to its distribution as fair as possible.

However, in practice, it is noted that sometimes, decisions concerning the general economic policy leading indirectly to the redefinition of living standards, exclude from the specific financial support, individuals and families whose real financial situation does not justify this exclusion. 

Such an example is the recent redefinition of the objective property values and their increase, especially in the center of Athens. Due to this change, beneficiaries of the “Guaranteed Minimum Income” program, who are beneficiaries of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow, are excluded from its payment, due to the rise of the objective value of their property, in which they live.

Mrs. E.X. case

The case of E.X., beneficiary of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow, is one among many other serious cases. The objective value of her apartment increased from 60,000 to 115,000 euros, thus far exceeding the limit of 90,000 established for the GMI. This woman has no other income, is over 55 years old and suffers a lot of health problems that make the financial support of the “Guaranteed Minimum Income” literally a matter of survival.

Finally, it is worth noting that this condition does not only concern the GMI, as the specific asset limit is applied to determine the beneficiaries of other social benefits, such as the uninsured elderly pension, etc.

Learn more about the welfare program “Guaranteed Minimum Income”, by visiting the webpage of the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs: https://ypergasias.gov.gr/en/combating-poverty/.

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*From 1/8/2021 till 31/7/2022, the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow operation is supported through a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in the framework of its global COVID-19 Relief Initiative.

**From 1/7/2021 till 30/6/2022, Kahane Foundation supports the Psychosocial service of the Athens Solidarity Center by SolidarityNow.

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

In a celebration organized by Solidarity Now, students from Ukraine were donated school items by Public!

Today, SolidarityNow, Public, and Desmos welcomed 80 children, students at the Ukrainian Community’s Sunday School and the “Homework & Creative Activities Center” of SolidarityNow in the organization’s Athens Solidarity Center.

The aim of organizing this event was to distribute school supplies donated by Public to children from Ukraine, thus contributing to the creation of a safe environment and smooth integration into the Greek school environment. During the event, children had the opportunity to take part in educational and entertaining activities implemented by the SolidarityNow teachers. They also had the chance to get to know each other and acquire all the necessary equipment for the new school year!

“At a time when the concepts of peace and safety are not obvious, all of us- at Public- join forces with leading bodies from Civil Society to create a more inclusive tomorrow, based on solidarity and compassion. It is our great pleasure to work with SolidarityNow and DESMOS and offer to the Ukrainian children equal access to education along with some useful supplies to help them make a fresh start in the next school year”, Ilina Pomaska, Head of Brand PR & Engagement at Public Group.

“At SolidarityNow we are always next to the children who were forced to leave their school environment, their home and country because of the war. Today, following the donation made by Public, and the support of Desmos, we -all together- offered the necessary school supplies to students from Ukraine for the next school year. SolidarityNow’s priority is to support the inclusion of refugee and migrant children in formal education, and this is made feasible through the provision of non-formal educational services in the context of the “All Children in Education” program implemented with the support of UNICEF in open accommodation structures throughout Greece”, Marilyn Polena, General Director of SolidarityNow.

“We are extremely proud to contribute to the proper integration of the children-refugees from Ukraine into the Greek schools. Desmos is the most reliable connecting link for donations in Greece and -always true to our mission-, we made sure that the significant Public’s donation of stationery and school supplies was used in the best possible way by SolidarityNow specialized team so that the children feel as ready as possible for the next school year”, Ekavi Vallera, Director of Strategic Planning of the Non-Profit Association DESMOS.

*From 1/8/2021 to 31/7/2022 the operation of the Athens Solidarity Center is supported by a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), as part of the SNF’s International COVID-19 Action Initiative to Combat the Consequences of the Pandemic.

*The “Pathway for All Children in Education” program is implemented with the support and funding of UNICEF Greece.

Raising awareness actions implemented in Thessaloniki

At SolidarityNow we are celebrating one more year of the LGBTQI community Pride Festival, which takes place from 10^th to 18^th and 20^th to 25^th of June 2022, in Athens and Thessaloniki respectively and we declare our presence for an “unconditional” “lesson of acceptance“, inclusion, visibility and equality, such as the slogans in the two cities.

More specifically, SolidarityNow participates in the 10th Thessaloniki Pride Festival, which is dedicated to education with a demand to become more modern and inclusive. In the framework of the festival, SolidarityNow invites professionals who work in support of the LGBTQI refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, in the online training seminar that aims to inform, educate and train on issues related to the LGBTQI community of refugees and asylum seekers and on new methods and best practices.

The webinar* will take place on Thursday 23rd of June, 10:00-12:30. For those interested in participating, they can register here.

New edition of educational material

The new educational booklet developed by SolidarityNow under the title “Useful Guide for Professionals in the field of LGBTQI+ Migrants, Refugees, Asylum Seekers” will be presented during the webinar. This guide provides intelligible, grouped information and best practices that makes it a useful tool for the employees in the field, just as well for anyone who wants to be informed about the basic terminology regarding the LGBTQI+ community.

Walking side by side

Thessaloniki Pride Festival will end on Saturday 25^th of June, with the great parade in the historic center of Thessaloniki. The SolidarityNow team will be there to walk the path of acceptance, equality and love.

* The webinar is organized in the framework of the European program “Not Alone in Europe”.

Art, as means of expression and healing for refugees

SolidarityNow organizes an exhibition of artworks by young and adult refugees in order to honor the World Refugee Day on June 20^th and the following Refugee Week (20-26/6/2022). The artworks will be hosted from 13th to 20th of June, at the Refugees Museum of Thessaloniki along with photographic material by professional photographers and audiovisual material.

The content of the exhibition is comprised by paintings, poems, constructions and photographs created by refugee women and men, beneficiaries of SolidarityNow in the open accommodation structures, the organization’s Solidarity Centers, the “Homework and Creative Activities Centers” and the “Integration Learning Centers” in Northern Greece (Kavala, Serres, Drama, Vagiochori, Nea Kavala, Thessaloniki) where SolidarityNow implements the “All Children in Education” program with the support and funding from UNICEF Greece and “HELIOS” program as a key partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece) funded by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.

This exhibition is the first action among many raising awareness actions planned by SolidarityNow in the framework of the overall celebration on the occasion of the World Refugee Day, organized each year by the Refugee Week global movement. This year’s Refugee Week title is “Healing“, conveying the message of mutual care as well as of the human capacity to start again.

Major supporter of this exhibition is the Municipality of Neapolis-Sykeon which provides the premises of the Refugees Museum to SolidarityNow. The exhibition will be open to the public every day from 13^th to 20^th of June, 13:00 to 21:00. The exhibition’s Closing event will take place on June 20^th, 17:00 to 21:00, with music happenings and children’s workshops.

Η μεγαλύτερη αερολέσχη στην Ελλάδα συλλέγει πόρους και υποστηρίζει το έργο της οργάνωσης.

Το SolidarityNow και το Skydive-Athens συνεργάζονται για το κοινό καλό, προσκαλώντας όλους όσοι ενδιαφέρονται, να λάβουν μέρος σε μια μοναδική εμπειρία και ταυτόχρονα να συμβάλλουν στο έργο της οργάνωσης.

Πώς;

Αν έχετε σκεφτεί ποτέ να δοκιμάσετε την εμπειρία της ελεύθερης πτώσης, μπορείτε να το τολμήσετε τώρα. Οι έμπειροι εκπαιδευτές του Skydive-Athens θα σας δείξουν τον τρόπο και μέρος του κόστους της εμπειρίας θα προσφερθεί από την αερολέσχη στο SolidarityNow για την υποστήριξη του έργου που υλοποιείται στο πλευρό των πιο ευπαθών συνανθρώπων μας.

Από 1η έως 30 Ιουνίου, το SolidarityNow και το Skydive-Athens θα σας περιμένουν να «κλείσετε μια θέση στα σύννεφα» και να μεταφέρετε το μήνυμα για την ανάγκη υποστήριξης των ανθρώπων που βρίσκονται σε ανάγκη ανεξαρτήτως προέλευσης ή άλλου κριτηρίου!

Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Προσφύγων

Η συνεργασία γίνεται πραγματικότητα καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του Ιουνίου, του μήνα που αφιερώνει μία από τις ημέρες του στην Παγκόσμια Ημέρα Προσφύγων, 20/6. Με αυτόν τον συμβολικό τρόπο, το SolidarityNow και το Skydive-Athens αφιερώνουν τον μήνα στους εκτοπισμένους, στους ανθρώπους που εξαναγκάζονται να γίνουν πρόσφυγες από όπου κι αν προέρχονται.

Το SolidarityNow ευχαριστεί το Skydive-Athens για την πρωτοβουλία και την υλοποίηση αυτής της πρωτότυπης συνέργειας και δίνει ραντεβού στους αιθέρες!

*Το Skydive–Athens είναι η μεγαλύτερη αερολέσχη στην Ελλάδα και η μοναδική που λειτουργεί όλο τον χρόνο πετώντας αεροσκάφος 18 θέσεων με τουρμπίνα στα 14.000 πόδια (4200 μέτρα) σε μόλις 12 λεπτά. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skydiveathens/.

Active citizens fund: Announcement of the allocation of €661,387 in grants to support the strategic development of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

Bodossaki Foundation and SolidarityNow, in their capacity as Fund Operator of the Active citizens fund programme for Greece, announce the organisations selected to receive grants in the framework of the 7th Open Call for “Organisational grants to support the strategic development of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)”.

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 13.5 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights.

The new grant under the programme, budgeted at €661,387, concerns the strategic development of CSOs. For Greece, this is an innovative Call that differs significantly from the previous ones under the Active citizens fund programme, as it provides grants that will subsidise general actions of CSOs on the basis of their multiannual strategic plans / workplans rather than actions in the context of projects with a specific thematic focus. The new Call is part of a pilot initiative of the EEA Financial Mechanism, launched in response to the requests made by CSOs for making available grants to subsidise their basic operational requirements, thus helping them attain their strategic goals and fulfil their mission.

In response to the Open Call “Organisational grants for the strategic development of civil society organisations”, a total of 52 applications were submitted, of which 5 were approved.

The following is the list of organisational grants in alphabetical order, based on the name of the Project Promoter:

Project Promoter: Callisto – Wildlife and Nature Conservation Society
Project: 20 years of Callisto – The needs for strategic & organizational development

Project Promoter: Diogenis NGO
Project: Empowering Shedia

Project Promoter: Doctors of the World – Greek Delegation
Project: THinking AhEad: Organizational & Strategic RΟadmap 2023-2026 | Theo.RΟ

Project Promoter: EDRA – Social cooperative activities for vulnerable groups
Project: We focus on human!

Project Promoter: Special Olympics Hellas
Project: Enhancing the strategic organizational activities of Special Olympics Hellas