In the context of the Open Call, “vulnerable minor aiming to apply for asylum” refers to unaccompanied minors (UAMs) and not to accompanied refugee children. In addition, please note, that the placements in the centres funded through EEA Grants shall be facilitated through the established official referral pathways for the unaccompanied minors with the referrals made to centres exclusively by EKKA. UAMs without asylum-seeker’s applicant card can be accepted, as long as, they are referred by EKKA and provided that they are in process to apply for asylum. The Centres maintain the responsibility to ensure that this will be the case, the soonest possible. (also see Law 4554/2018 article 27, Law 4636_2019 article 60).
21. According to the call the “primary beneficiary group is vulnerable asylum seekers, specifically unaccompanied minors (UAM), in the open reception centres in Greece. However, under special circumstances, vulnerable minors aiming to apply for asylum and staying in the centres may be accommodated by the Programme, until their application will be finalized”. Can you please clarify whether ‘vulnerable minor aiming to apply for asylum’ mentioned as a “special circumstance” refers to UAM or to accompanied refugee children? If it refers to UAM, do you refer to non-registered cases, that do not have an asylum-seekers applicant card?
