Project Promoter: ARSIS – Association for the Social Support of Youth
Programme outcome the project contributes to: Improved quality of accommodation and other services provided in open reception centers
Project grant rate: 90%
Maximum project grant amount: 1,615,058 euros
Aiming at meeting the need of a safe accommodation for the vulnerable asylum seekers in North Greece, the project “DIAPLOUS” offers 79 places in total to unaccompanied minors and women- single mothers and/or victims of sexual or gender violence, who are asylum seekers in Greece and are homeless or live in dangerous conditions. In particular, “DIAPLOUS” project concerns unaccompanied minors, who lived in shelters and are accommodated in the apartments of the project (48 places), asylum seeker children from 5 to 18 years old, who live in the Shelter “The House of ARSIS” (15 places) and vulnerable asylum seeker women- who are alone or with their children (16 places). The 20-month project offers psychological, psychosocial, legal and vocational support, through individual and group counseling sessions, in order for the vulnerable asylum seekers to live in conditions which will contribute to their inclusion in the Greek society.
The project started in June 2020 when the first receptions took place in the shelter “The House of ARSIS”. Until May 2021, 88 beneficiaries have been accommodated, both adults and minors. During this period, 21 beneficiaries have been referred to “ESTIA II” project. Furthermore, 4 minors were reunited with their families in other European countries, while 2 adult women have been granted with international protection in Greece.
It is noteworthy that “DIAPLOUS” project emphasizes in the participation of all minor students in public educational system. Thus, all the minor beneficiaries are enrolled in schools. Moreover, special focus has been placed to job counselling sessions; hence all beneficiaries participate in group sessions. Job counselling contributes to beneficiaries’ empowerment and integration in Greek labour market. This is proven by the fact that two beneficiaries have already found a job in the local community.
