Main theme
Life projects
Other relevant themes
Access to information and legal advice, access to health care and psychological support, promote inclusion and integration
Actors involved
Support from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), schools
Aims
The Mentoring Project aims to support unaccompanied minors in Greece during their transition to adulthood through mentorship.
Description
Centrally, the Mentoring project seeks to foster trusting relationships with mentors who are themselves former unaccompanied minors. These mentors, directly employed by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, serve as role models and advocates, helping minors navigate challenges such as integration, education, and mental well-being. Mentors regularly visit accommodation facilities across Greece, engage with unaccompanied minors, and provide emotional and practical support. Additionally, various activities to support their wellbeing are conducted including, for instance, sports, arts, outdoor activities, group discussions, and mental health interventions. The mentoring program also creates a feedback loop, where insights from mentors and mentees inform the Ministry’s policies and programs for unaccompanied minors.
Results/ Outcomes
The programme has reached over 1385 unaccompanied minors since 2021. In 2023 alone, the project hosted 68 activities and conducted 46 on-site visits to accommodation centres for minors.
Additionally, the mentors’ lived experiences and support have proven to be motivational forces, offering hope and helping minors envision a better future in Greece. Their peer-driven support addresses the unique needs of unaccompanied minors in transit contexts, like Greece, where many refugees might feel transient. It demonstrates the benefits of collaboration between governmental authorities and international organisations including strengthening program implementation and sustainability.
“I believe the project can be really motivating because unaccompanied minors can see others who had similar experiences succeeding here. If they see people with their own background, sometimes it can help them to have a vision in the country, and not move on or lose their time.” (Mentor quote).
Links to further information
- https://migration.gov.gr/en/grammateies/geniki-grammateia-evaloton-politon-kai-thesmikis-prostasias/