Project Promoter: Association for the Care of Minors (SMAN)
Outcome: Improved quality of accommodation and other services provided in open reception centers
Project grant rate: 90%
Maximum project grant amount: € 1.074.903
Duration: June 2020 – July 2023
HOUSE2 is a shelter providing safe accommodation for unaccompanied minors, with a capacity of 16 individuals. It primarily supports boys aged 6-11 and underage mothers with their children. Established in 2020, HOUSE2 was founded to address the urgent need for accommodation and care for the most vulnerable. From its inception, HOUSE2 prioritized community engagement, quickly building strong relationships with local residents, public institutions, and private sector partners. Through collaboration with volunteers and organizations, SMAN has actively promoted intercultural coexistence and effective integration into the local community. A key strength of HOUSE2 is its interdisciplinary Child Protection Team, which consists of professionals from various fields and welcomes new graduates eager to contribute to child welfare.
During the implementation period 49 unaccompanied minors received direct support and 17 additional vulnerable individuals -including undocumented persons, recognized refugees, and children- benefited from services. The majority of beneficiaries were aged 5-12 and came from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
HOUSE2 collaborated with 15 reception centers and 25 local organizations, exceeding expectations for stakeholder engagement. An innovative open living room space “House 2 Lab” facilitated community events, cultural exchanges, and trust-building while maintaining beneficiary privacy. HOUSE2 also supported the local economy by prioritizing suppliers and small businesses strengthened community ties and economic sustainability.
Key achievements:
– Beneficiaries learned Greek within six months, attended school, and actively participated in local activities -some were even elected to student councils.
– Advocacy success: SMAN contributed to the inclusion of unaccompanied minors in Greece’s fostering and adoption system, a major policy milestone.
– Systemic impact: The Ministry of Migration & Asylum adopted SMAN’s incident reporting system as a best-practice model.
HOUSE2 has had a lasting impact on its beneficiaries, fostering integration, education, and personal development while influencing national policy and systemic approaches to child protection. SMAN transitioned the project to government funding through the Ministry of Immigration & Asylum, co-financed by the EU Migration and Home Affairs Funds (2021–2027).
