PROJECTS

WELCOME OFFICE

social consultation for integration

In Mytilini, capital of the island  our Welcome Office assists with bureaucratic steps into the Greek society (how to get a tax number, social insurance and unemployment card). Further we have an open consultation space and through networking with other actors we try to find solution for every individual – where to find a lawyer, how to get into public schools, how to rent a flat, how to find a job etc. With our Welcome Office we wish to be a central point for refugees and locals to connect and support each other with dignity and respect. We provide:

  • Low level – easy access support for refugees – daily open office(mondays to fridays)
  • Support for integration (assist with getting a tax number, social insurance number, unemployment card etc), copies of documents, filling in forms – all the bureaucratic paperwork besides the asylum case
  • Assisting with finding a job
  • Assisting with finding an apartment
  • Supporting with specific needs of the beneficiaries ( e.g. school enrolment of children or finding a football club to play etc.)
  • Encouraging setting up ideas of the community within the space e.g. starting a CV writing workshop – Greek language club
  • Provide a safe space in the city center for creative use in the afternoons ( we already started Farsi lessons for people working with refugees etc.)

WELCOME LESSONS

educational activities for young people

We conduct Welcome Lessons for refugee children and young people from the ages 12 to 18 years old. Due to the lack of access to education for many refugee children living in Lesbos,we are one of the of the “first aid” education actors on the island that try to fill some gaps with the following program:

  • Basic language skills in Greek and English
  • Basic math and geography classes
  • A creative art workshop twice a week
  • Classes are conducted in the city centre (bus tickets are provided) by professional teachers only and by long term staff only – in order to design a stable and sustainable relationship and program for the children
  • Age ranges for our classes are 10 to 19 years old as the smaller children require professional paedagogical full time positions and we work mainly with twice or four times a week schedule
  • Our aim is to enrole children in public schools after our small “welcome package”

PROTI STASSI

first reception in the (north)east of the island

In the north and northeast of the island we are engaged in the first reception of refugees: Proti Stassi (Greek for “First Stop”) wishes to make the life of the just arriving humans in flimsy dingy boats a bit easier. This can be transportation from the shore to the first reception area, providence of a warm space and of dry clothes, water, a snack, some information and most important a welcoming friendly face within the whole emergency situation. We want to welcome refugees and act united as humans without borders – give them a friendly start in Europe.

  • Providing transportation (Pick up car and fuel) to the nearest first reception point
  • Providing information and arrival kit ( water, clothes, snack)
  • Available 24/7 hours
  • Providing warm space with heating, toilets, running water, changing rooms etc. in Kleio, if authorities allow access
  • Use local networks rather than “volunttourists” to prevent conflicts
  • Mediate between authorities and refugees in extreme distress

ADVOCACY

networking and public relations

Especially within the new changes and the ongoing trend of a “fortress Europe” that doesn’t respect the human rights. We need to keep informing what is happening at the borders. Transparency and education – facts and stories of migrants and refugees will show that we need to build bridges instead of walls.

  • We report about the things we see, via mail or via phone but also in person, we make “tours” for visitors in Lesbos that want to learn about the situation of refugees, locals and the many projects
  • We are available for researchers, journalists, politicians, supporters and all kind of visitors
  • We provide other initiatives and projects with support in Greek burocracy, finding local suppliers, connecting to local networks etc.
  • We try to negiotiate with authorities or other actors if we find a problem
  • We refer cases to other actors in and outside Greece to try to find solutions

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Imvrou 5, 81100 Mytilini, Lesbos, Greece
info@borderlinelesvos.org