Current Programs

With the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of its work, improving its activities and services and its constant presence at the forefront of humanitarian initiatives, Caritas Athens implements national, european and international programs with the support of donors such as the Network of Caritas International (Caritas Internationalis & Caritas Europa), the Italian Episcopal Conference (Conferenza Episcopale Italiana), CRS (Catholic Relief Services), Caritas Italiana and partners such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Ministry of Immigration & Asylum, institutions and organizations.

Since the beginning of the refugee crisis in Greece (August 2015) Caritas Athens has expanded its activities based on solidarity, the relief of the basic needs and the processes of social integration of refugees. Up to the end of October 2021 it has served more than 1,000,000 people through various actions.

In this period the Organization participated in and ran the following programs:

REMAP

Initiation: January - July 2023

REMAP- "All together: Actions for integration, volunteering and empowerment" is a regional migration project running from January to July 2023, launched in collaboration with Caritas Hellas and sponsored by the National Caritas of Spain and Italy.

The Program follows an approach towards capacity building and community empowerment, through which, any regional needs of beneficiaries in the different ecclesiastical provinces of Greece will be identified, and potential interventions will be addressed through the provision of a range of services, direct support and implementation of community actions so as to enable the sharing and exchange of information regarding culture and cultural traditions, values and lifestyles in order to achieve a smoother integration into society.

SUPPORT OF AUTONOMOUS LIVING / "HELIOS II" PROGRAM

Initiation: July 2019

Donor: IOM

Caritas Athens has served more than 4,500 recognized refugees from August 2019 to October 2021, participating in the implementation of the Program, where a total of 33,298 people have registered throughout Greece (32.06% ESTIA, 36.11% SITES, 14.56% IOM HOTELS, 17.27% RIC) by learning Greek, vocational rehabilitation assistance and finding accommodation with a rent subsidy, for the first months.

EDUCATION

-More than 1,390 hosted children enrolled in school from 2017 to 2021.

-247 hosted adults have attended Greek lessons.

SUPER MARKET VOUCHERS

Initiation: January 2016

Donor: Western Union

Monthly vouchers for super markets are provided for the relief of our fellow humans who are in need.

PREPAID CARD PROGRAMME - CASH

Initiation: December 2021

Donor: CRS & Ministry of Migration and Asylum

For 2022, the program distributed 6,778 cards and served 6,439 beneficiaries through the National Help Lines in eight languages (Arabic, Farsi, French, English, Sorani, Kurmanji, Urdu and Bengali).

CHILD INTEGRATION PROJECT

Initiation: August 2021

Donor: CRS & ELIX

In order to facilitate the process of integration into Greek society, children, aged 5-16 years, from families seeking asylum and supported by the ESTIA II program, have the opportunity to learn the Greek language, to participate in activities of various content with their parents, the contact with the community, the continuous encouragement and mobilization for the attendance in the Greek public schools and the maintanance of their action in institutions and associations, as well as their psychosocial development and psycho-education, through a holistic approach.

WORK / "LIVELIHOOD" PROGRAM

-More than 500 people have found work (permanent or temporary), with the goal of their social inclusion and financial autonomy.

LIVELIHOOD / SOCIAL INCLUSION

-Through the "Livelihood & Social Inclusion" Program, 4,866 events were organized in which 18,052 people participated.

-At the same time, Caritas Athens supports Greeks, as well as immigrants who have lived in the country for many years, who have material and psychological needs, especially after the economic crisis.

In collaboration with the Help Center, at 52 Kapodistriou Street, Caritas Athens created and supports Listening Centers in collaboration with the Parishes Caritas of the Holy Archdiocese of Catholics of Athens, covering needs such as:

-Training of volunteers for the staffing of these centers

-Work counseling (at individual & group level)

-Psychosocial support

-References

-Distribution of food, clothing and basic necessities

ENTERPRENEURSHIP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Initiation: May 2017

Donor: Caritas Andria

Financial and counselling support to young people who wish to start a new business.

DISTRIBUTION OF CLOTHING

Twice a week clothing is distributed to all ages.

More than 3,000 refugees, who passed through Athens (in the period from the end of 2015 until the beginning of 2016) with the prospect of settling in another EU country, received new clothing.

Caritas Athens is a Non-Profit Organization (NGO) which has been recognized as such by the state, and is a member of Caritas Hellas (a branch of Caritas Europa and of Caritas Internationalis, the philanthropic organizations of the Catholic Church, which play an active role in over 165 countries worldwide)

Contact Information

Caritas Athens
9, Omirou str. 106 72 Athens
Tel. / Fax: (+30) 210 3626 186
Εmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 08.30 – 16.00

Sector Refugee Programme
52, Kapodistriou str. 104 32 Athens
Tel.: (+30) 210 5246 637 & (+30) 210 5249 564
Fax: 210 5246 646
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Working hours:
Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 16.00

Help Center
52, Kapodistriou str. 104 32 Athens
Tel: (+30) 210 5246 637 & (+30) 210 5249 564
e-mail: socialservices@caritasathens.gr
Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 16.00 (after appointment)