Project Promoter: European Wergeland Center
Programme outcome the project contributes to: Integration of refugee children in Greek schools improved
Project grant rate: 100%
Maximum project grant amount: € 1.5 million euros
The “Schools for All” project aimed to create a more democratic and inclusive school environment where refugee students feel safe and welcome. Following a whole-school approach, it engaged the entire school community -including educators, parents, and local stakeholders- within the Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture, as defined by the Council of Europe.
Launched on October 31, 2019, the project was originally planned for three years but was extended until March 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension allowed for the participation of 60 additional primary schools in Athens and Thessaloniki.
Key achievements:
- Institutional support: The project received strong support from the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and the Institute of Educational Policy (IEP). It benefited from official promotion through annual open calls, leading to increased school participation. The ministry also approved the project’s key deliverable, the “31 Basic Activities” handbook, recognizing its pedagogical value in fostering inclusion.
- Participation: A total of 125 schools joined the project
- Training/ capacity building: A nationwide network of 211 official coordinators was developed to support participating schools. During the implementation period 135 school directors, 1557 school teachers, and 45 trainers were trained.
- Action plans: Every participating school completed a six-hour training workshop led by regional trainers. Schools then developed and implemented the action plans, in total 110, coordinated by working groups with strong student engagement and trainer support.
- Educational workshops: A total of 170 school workshops took place, attended by 314 participants, including teachers, school leaders, parents, and students. These sessions deepened participants’ understanding of refugee education and inclusive school culture while fostering teamwork and collaboration.
- Academies & online events: The project organized 17 regional academies, attended by 607 participants from 156 schools, and 6 online events attended by 562 participants.
- Webinars & mentoring visits: 6 webinars attended by 669 participants and 870 mentoring visits took place by regional trainers.
- Stronger community collaboration: The initiative strengthened cooperation between schools and local administrations, as well as within school communities – including teachers, directors, parents, students, and local representatives.
- Educational resources/ deliverable: The project produced and digitalized the “31 Basic Activities” handbook, available in both Greek and English. The handbook also includes a useful educational index with best practices regarding the inclusion of refugee children in schools.
- Sustainable impact: A comprehensive training module was developed to encapsulate the project’s nearly five-year experience in Greek schools. This module facilitates the use of the handbook, ensuring educators can continue designing effective inclusion activities beyond the project’s duration.
Through these efforts, the “Schools for All” project has contributed to shaping a more inclusive, democratic, and supportive school culture for refugee students in Greece.
