Operation of six shelters for UMC

The project

The amended Law 4686/2020 provides that the competent authority for the protection of unaccompanied and separated minors is the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors and is responsible among other tasks for coordinating the reception and hosting of unaccompanied minors in Greece to accommodation structures such as shelters, apartments (SIL), safe zones and hotels.

This good practice concerns the operation of six Unaccompanied Migrant Children (UMC) shelters by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) aimed at providing accommodation and access to services for UMC. The shelters were operated by NGO PRAKSIS until 31 December 2018 and IOM undertook their operation as of 1 January 2019, in order to ensure continuous service provision to the already hosted beneficiaries.  Besides accommodation, the following services are provided to the beneficiaries: addressing basic needs, catering, hygiene, legal counselling and information about life opportunities in Greece, interpretation, psychosocial support, medical support, Greek learning programs, learning support, organization of intercultural activities, creative employment and career guidance. The capacity of the shelters is up to 131 beds/places. The project is implemented in the regions of Attica (4 shelters), Thessaloniki (1 shelter) and Patra (1 shelter).

The impact of the good practice

Currently a total of 4.176 unaccompanied children live allover Greece out of which: the 93% are boys, the 7% girls and the 8,3% are below the age of 14 years old. At present, 62 UAC shelters are operating under various actors with total of 1.637 places. 2.844 unaccompanied children are placed in long term including shelters and Semi-Independent Living (SIL) in apartments, or temporary accommodation such as safe zones, hotels. 1.004 unaccompanied children have been reported as living in informal/insecure housing conditions such as living temporarily in apartments with others, living in squats, being homeless and moving frequently between different types of accommodation.

This good practice offers appropriate living conditions to 131 children, ensuring their well-being, protection and personal development through the provision of tailored protection services by specialized professionals and relevant interventions (i.e. direct psychosocial and legal assistance, educational activities) aiming at their integration into the local communities.