Project Promoter: International Rescue Committee Hellas
Outcome: Improved quality of accommodation and other services provided in open reception centers
Project grant rate: 90%
Maximum project grant amount: € 1.722.661
Duration: June 2020 – August 2023
The FUTURA project provided quality accommodation and a holistic package of individualized support services to 104 unaccompanied children, in ten (10) Supported Independent Living (SIL) apartments with the capacity of 36 places in Athens, Greece, over the course of 36 months. It supported 25 non-unaccompanied asylum seekers and 82 unaccompanied minors (UAMs), aged between 16 and 18, with the majority coming from Sub-Saharan Africa.
The SIL apartments were well-equipped, providing private rooms for each beneficiary, functional facilities, and adequate safety measures. Accessibility for children with disabilities remained a challenge due to costs and landlord resistance to making modifications. Each apartment hosted four children who received a range of services; legal aid, individual and group psychosocial support, non-formal education and skill-building activities, tailored to the needs of each child, by a core team of experienced social workers, caretakers and interpreters, with particular emphasis on empowerment and self-reliance. The staff and the children jointly created individual development plans aiming to achieve the children’s full potential in life.
Results and challenges
– The program significantly impacted beneficiaries, fostering independence and self-reliance among unaccompanied minors (UAMs). While challenges with referral systems and occupancy rates limited its reach, the quality of care remained high.
– Advocacy efforts positioned the Supported Independent Living (SIL) model as a viable and sustainable housing solution for UAMs. While progress was made in integrating SIL into national child protection frameworks, shifting government priorities led to reduced support.
– Collaborations with organizations such as EKKA and MSF enhanced training, medical assistance, and financial support. However, efforts to engage the National Employment Agency (OAED) in vocational training yielded limited progress.
– IRC’s sustainability strategy focused on multi-annual funding and state program alignment, but inadequate government backing and donor hesitation jeopardized the model’s long-term viability. Despite establishing a SIL Fund, securing stable funding remained a key challenge.
– By providing specialized support for UAMs and vulnerable women, the project showcased SIL’s transformative role in child protection. However, systemic obstacles and financial limitations hindered wider implementation, underscoring the need for stronger institutional commitment and innovative funding approaches.
