Integration Support Services

Organizations with livelihood services across Greece

Depending on where you live, or what kind of support you are looking for you might need to address your issue to a specific organization. Below you can find relevant information about organizations providing livelihood services across Greece. You will be able to find a brief description of each organization, the services provided, to whom these services are addressed, the geographical coverage of organizations’ intervention, the provided languages of communication as well as relevant links and/or contact details for every organization in the list.

ECHO 100 PLUS

Since the summer of 2015, the Austrian-Greek charity ECHO100PLUS has been providing humanitarian aid to refugees arriving in Greece. Through its International Volunteer Program, ECHO100PLUS has so far engaged almost 900 volunteers from all over the globe to support the overstrained Greek relief system and to show solidarity across borders. As there are still thousands of refugees stuck in precarious conditions in Greece, ECHO100PLUS has extended its services to educational and recreational programs and currently runs two educational centers, one on the island of Leros and the second one in Athens.

 

Address to:

Adult Asylum seekers 18+ recognized refugees and migrants.

Geographical coverage of intervention:

ECHO HUB Athens in Kipseli, ECHO HUB Leros Athens.

Services:

  1. Certified Language courses from beginner to advanced levels (Greek, English).
  2. French and German Conversation.
  3. IT classes in the Computer lab.
  4. CV-writing skills and personal development.

Communication languages:

English Greek French and German.

Links:

Echo100Plus Website
Echo100Plus Facebook Page

ZAATAR NGO

Address to:

Refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Athens.

Services:

  1. Language classes: Greek and English classes.
  2. Vocational trainings: fishing, tailoring, hairdressing, cooking.
  3. CV workshop.
  4. Employment at our restaurant ”Tastes of Damascus”.

Communication languages:

Arabic, English, French, Farsi, Greek, Urdu.

Links:

ZAATAR NGO Website
ZAATAR NGO Facebook Page
Project Layali Website
Project Layali Facebook Page
Taste of Damascus Website

ODYSSEA

The Non-Profit Organization Odyssea A.M.K.E. has a mission to design and implement vocational training programs and to support vulnerable Greeks, immigrants, and refugees in their effort to access labour market.

Address to:

Vulnerable Greeks, immigrants, and refugees

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Athens.

Services:

Our activity is based on four main pillars:

  1. Vocational Training: Hard and Soft skills training seminars and workshops, in English and Greek, related to professions in high demand in the Labour Market.
  2. Entrepreneurship training: Training on technical and business know-how and support to people eager to open their own business.
  3. Makerspace: Training on the use of 3D printing machines, CNC machine tools, laser cutting and engraving, and providing STEM education.
  4. Employability support: Consulting and support for job search.

All our services are offered free of charge.

Pre-requisites for participating in our programs:

  1. Participants must be holders of a working permit and of VAT & AMKA number.
  2. Very good knowledge of English.
  3. Good knowledge of Greek, A2 level.

Communication languages:

Greek, English

Links:

Odyssea Website

LOVE WELCOMES GREECE

Address to:

Female Refugee or Asylum Seekers 18+

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Ritsona/Chalkida

Services:

  1. employee 20 women for the creation of artisan products
  2. train 40 women in various artisan techniques so they can enter the market with a skill
  3. transportation options for the whole of the camp community where the women live

Communication languages:

English, Arabic, Kurdish and French

Links:

Loves Welcomes Greece Website

HUMAN RIGHTS 360 – Social Integration Service

Our mission is to protect and empower the rights of all, with no discrimination but with a special focus on the most disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.

Address to:

Asylum Seekers, Refugees

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Eleonas and Skaramagkas Open Accommodation Facilities, ECHOHub Athens (people living in the broader area of Attica)

Services:

  1. Learn and gain all necessary administration papers (such as Tax registration number)
  2. To have legal advice, related to the integration process
  3. Employability counseling and preparation for the labor market
  4. Psychosocial support, through engaging in community and city life.
  5. Continuing education pathways
  6. Referrals to advance soft and hard skills (such as following language classes or vocational training)
  7. Referrals to other services and parallel support for their life-related current challenges (accommodation, health system, nutrition, etc.)

Additional actions:

  1. Offer advocacy strategies related to integration-related issues
  2. Promote integration to public and private stakeholders
  3. Creation and participation of networks (with companies and other stakeholders)

Communication languages:

English, Greek

Links:

Human Rights 360 Website

THE ACADEMY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Academy of Entrepreneurship (AKEP) is a non-formal training and research organization that works as a training hub of private and public initiatives related to entrepreneurship skills development for various target groups including youth, migrants, NEETs, VET trainers, teachers, adult trainers, etc. at a national and European level. It has been founded in 2007 by the historical Educational Association of Athens “HFAISTOS”. Since 2010, AKEP has participated in more than 35 European research projects that support entrepreneurship development and employability and is currently implementing 4 EU projects addressed to migrants. One of these projects is TREND (Training Refugees in Entrepreneurial Skills using Digital Devices) which provides training for migrants who want to start their own businesses in Europe. The platform is available in English, French, and Arabic.

AKEP’s vision is to accomplish the Global Sustainable Goals until 2030 in the best way.

Address to:

Migrants, youth, NEETs, VET trainers, teachers, adult trainers

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Remote training

Services:

TREND (Training Refugees in Entrepreneurial Skills using Digital Devices) program provides training for migrants who want to start their own businesses in Europe. The platform is available in English, French, and Arabic.

Communication languages:

English, Greek

Links:

Akep Website
THE ACADEMY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP Website

NETWORK FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

Network for Children’s Rights was established in 2004 as a non-profit organization aiming to safeguard the rights of children as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). The Network reaches out to all children, regardless of ethnic origin, race, gender, religion, or language. It operates in Athens, and outside Attica via its Mobile Library.

The Network leads the project PROSVASIS (EEA Grants – ACF), partnering with IRC and Syntexnia tou Geliou so as to provide a well-rounded package of services, including psychosocial/ legal support, job counseling, access to education, educational/ non-formal training opportunities. The project PROSVASIS aims to empower unaccompanied teens/ young refugees and migrants 16-24 years old; to orientate them towards an active attitude towards life and their future; to ease their transition to adulthood, autonomy, and independence; to become the basis for their social integration.

Address to:

Children and teens 16-24

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Athens, and outside Attica via its Mobile Library

Services:

  1. psychosocial/ legal support
  2. job counseling
  3. access to education
  4. educational/ non-formal training opportunities

Communication languages:

Farsi, Arabic, Urdu.

Links:

NETWORK FOR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS Website

NAOMI, Ecumenical Workshop for Refugees

Address to:

Asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants

Special groups: women and unaccompanied minors

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Region of Central Macedonia

Services:

  1. Skills development on sewing (Beginners, Advanced)
  2. Special training for professional sewers: Preparation for the Greek labor market
  3. Greek language and Greek sewing terminology
  4. Career counseling
  5. Empowerment and career orientation for unaccompanied minors
  6. Skills development on sewing and DIY for unaccompanied minors
  7. Empowerment and skills development on sewing for women
  8. Recreational employment
  9. Environmental awareness: Trainings on up cycling of materials and sewing
  10. Fair jobs

Communication languages:

Greek, English, German

Links:

NAOMI, Ecumenical Workshop for Refugees Website
NAOMI, Ecumenical Workshop for Refugees Facebook Website

GENERATION 2.0

Generation 2.0 for Rights, Equality & Diversity is a nonprofit organization consisting of people with different origins who work together to promote equal participation in a diverse society, through the empowerment of communities. The current program implemented is following a holistic approach to equal access to work and education for people of migrant or refugee backgrounds.

Address to:

Migrants and refugees

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Attika

Services:

  1. One-on-one Career Counselling and Career Guidance sessions
  2. Job Readiness groups and Soft Skills Development seminars
  3. Labor Rights seminars complemented by Advocacy training
  4. Peer Learning for hard skills development
  5. Social Entrepreneurship for Women training
  6. Mentoring unaccompanied minors to reinforce formal education and vocational training
  7. Diversity in the Workplace Network includes, among others, a number of activities engaging employers, such as visits to workplaces, the announcement of job positions addressed to the Service’s beneficiaries, Pro-bono Hard skills training, and Presentations by employers per sector
  8. Weekly Job Adverts bulletin
  9. Job Search Resources & Volunteering Opportunities list on g2red.org
  10. Free Educational Programs list renewed yearly on g2red.org
  11. Infographics, tutorial videos, and an Employability Guide on g2red.org

Communication languages:

Greek, English, French, Farsi, and Arabic.

Links:

GENERATION 2.0 Website

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE - IRC HELLAS

The International Rescue Committee (IRC Hellas) provides career counseling services for the labor market integration of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and vulnerable host populations in Athens. It also provides targeted counseling and training to young aspiring entrepreneurs to support them in developing their own businesses.

Address to:

Refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and vulnerable host populations in Athens

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Athens

Services:

  1. One-on-one career counseling sessions
  2. One-on-one self-employment counseling sessions
  3. Job search assistance and job matching
  4. Information about labor rights and work culture in Greece
  5. Job Readiness Workshops (CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, soft skills development, etc.
  6. Business training and mentorship opportunities

Communication languages:

Greek, English, French, Farsi, Arabic, Turkish

Links:

INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE - IRC HELLAS Website

SOLIDARITY NOW

SolidarityNow has created three Solidarity Centers in Athens and Thessaloniki. They are based on the idea of an open space hosting integrated services for vulnerable populations in each city. Up-to-date, more than 100,000 people have received more than 180,000 free-of-charge services.

Address to:

Refugees, migrants, and Greeks.

Geographical coverage of intervention:

  1. Athens Solidarity Centre
  2. Thessaloniki Solidarity Centre
  3. Blue Refugee Centre (Thessaloniki)

Services:

The services offered are free of charge and include:

  1. legal aid and counseling
  2. psychosocial support from social workers
  3. psychological counseling
  4. employability services
  5. specialized support programs for parents and children
  6. accounting support
  7. Employability services that provide:
  8. Job Counselling, orientation & guidance (including CV preparation, personal plan, and career guidance)
  9. Support for the unemployed during a job search and job applications
  10. Employment skills training (job search through the internet and newspaper, free use of the internet)
  11. Preparation for job interviews
  12. Thematic workshops, seminars, and networking with potential employers
  13. Networking with educational programs (computer, language, vocational training, etc), public, local and non-government organizations
  14. Support after hiring (hiring procedures, work culture, etc)

Communication languages:

Greek, English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, and French.

Links:

SOLIDARITY NOW Athens Website
SOLIDARITY NOW Thessaloniki Website
SOLIDARITY NOW Blue Refugee Center Website

Contact details:

SOLIDARITY NOW Contact Page

ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth

ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth is a Non-Governmental Organization, specializing in the social support of youth that are in difficulty or danger and in the advocacy of their rights. The main target is the prevention of youth marginalization, the elaboration of policies which defend youth rights and the active social support towards disadvantaged young people.

ARSIS was established in 1992 and since then it operates in Athens, Thessaloniki, Volos, Alexandroupoli, Kozani and Ioannina due to the active participation of members, volunteers, and young people.

ARSIS vision is a society of equal opportunities for all young individuals. ARSIS vision is a society of equal opportunities for all young individuals with respect of their rights like those that are outlined in the Greek and International Law through the UN pact for Children’s Rights. All these years provide services such as preparation for employment for young people from vulnerable groups.

Address to:

General Population, Youth and Children, including migrants, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection in Greece.

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina

Services:

ARSIS South of Greece – Athens

Job counseling & Career Guidance Services:

  1. One to one Counseling Sessions
  2. Orientation and soft kills development
  3. Job interview preparation
  4. Job Clubs – Practical trainings – job search / applications for job positions
  5. Seminars on different topics related to career
  6. Promote the integration of refugees & immigrants into the national education system
  7. Provide information on the work context
  8. Networking with potential employers

Communication languages:

Greek, English

ARSIS North of Greece -Thessaloniki and Ioannina-

ARSIS Social service Thessaloniki

Job counseling & Career Guidance Services:

Services:

  1. Material support with the provision of emergency items
  2. Psychosocial support
  3. Job counselling and support
  4. Workshops of individual skills development and recreational activities
  5. Accountant and financial counseling

Communication languages:

Greek, English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu

ARSIS Youth Support Center – Thessaloniki

Services:

  1. Social Service
  2. Non-formal education programs
  3. School enrollment minors
  4. Workshops of individual skills development and recreational activities
  5. Material support with the provision of emergency items
  6. Streetwork programme

Communication languages:

Greek, English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu

ARSIS Social service Ioannina

Services:

  1. Material support with the provision of emergency items
  2. Psychosocial support
  3. Workshops of individual skills development and recreational activities
  4. Non-formal education programs

Communication languages:

Greek, English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu

Links:

ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth Website
ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth Facebook Website

METAdrasi

METAdrasi is a Greek NGO founded in 2010 with the mission of facilitating the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Greece, through innovative interventions. METAdrasi primarily focuses on the provision of quality interpretation services, the protection of unaccompanied children and the education and integration of refugees and migrants.

Address to:

Refugees and migrants

Geographical coverage of intervention:

Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Kalamata, Chios, Lesvos, Samos, Kos, Leros

Communication languages

Greek, English (for specific cases, communication via interpreters in 43 languages and dialects: French, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Urdu/Punjabi, Sorani etc.)

Services:

Greek Language courses for adults (Athens)

Greek, mathematics and foreign languages courses, homework support for minors 6 to 18 years old: “Step2School” Education Programme (Athens)

Greek and English language courses for adults, CV creation, job interview preparation, job search technics training, labour market networking: “Stepping Stone” Educational Integration Programme (Athens)

Interpreters Training Seminars (Athens, Thessaloniki)

Identification and Certification of torture victims: Certification of Torture Victims (Athens)

Personalized care and support for homeless unaccompanied minors: Drop-In Center “1stop4homeless”, Mobile Unit, Emergency Line: Network for the Protection of Homeless Unaccompanied Minor (Athens)

Greek, mathematics and English languages courses: Education activities for children on the islands (Lesvos, Chios)

Legal Assistance (Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Leros)

Provision of interpretation to healthcare services (mainland and islands)

Links:

METAdrasi Website
METAdrasi Facebook
METAdrasi Twitter
METAdrasi Instagram
METAdrasi Youtube