Purpose:
Through the “Human Chain” initiative, specialised scientific staff of the “Patras Units for Homeless” co-design with each beneficiary his/hers “Individual or Family Social Reintegration Plan” that consists of actions to be delivered for connecting him/her (and possibly family members) with bodies/services related to nutrition, psychological support, legal assistance, health counselling, welfare, social and work reintegration.
Emphasis is put to applying a comprehensive approach, to target their psychological empowerment, increase of self-esteem, equal treatment with solidarity, against stereotypes and with respect to the “European Pillar of Social Rights”, putting emphasis on intercultural manners of management. Actions take different forms, such as visits to cultural places or educational initiative.
The two Units are established and run by the Social Organisation of the Municipality of Patras (KODIP), undergoing within the Department of “Social Support to Vulnerable Groups”, by using funding by the Operational Program 2014-2020 / 2021-2027, of the Region of Western Greece, through the European Social Fund (ESF) of the European Union.
Stimulus/Rationale:
The “Open Day Centre” and the “Hosting Unit” of the Municipality of Patras have become a crucial reference point for their beneficiaries who include homeless people, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, Roma people, and people in situations of vulnerability from the local population.
The operation of the two “Units for Homeless” aims to meet the urgent housing and livelihood needs of the homeless and is part of the “National Strategy for Social Inclusion” to ensure access to adequate housing. More precisely, the main objectives are:
- Providing safe accommodation at night
- Providing basic goods in the form of food and clothing/footwear,
- Providing support services and improving the quality of life of the homeless as well as
- Strengthening social cohesion and eliminating marginalization and social exclusion of the beneficiaries
Process:
Aiming at a comprehensive approach of the needs of their beneficiaries, the “Units for Homeless”, work in creative ways by implementing educational visits, within the city of Patras. More precisely, at the end of February 2025, the beneficiaries had the opportunity to visit the Archaeological Museum of Patras (which is supervised by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaia-EAA) and become part of the “Human Chain” educational initiative. They explored the exhibitions of the Museum and experimented with the audio-visual material of the “One city, one route with numerous testimonies” intercultural initiative. This is regarded as an outcome of the precious ongoing collaboration of the two bodies i.e. KODIP-Units for Homeless and EAA, linked with the dynamic networking that takes place, as one of the core-axis of operation of the Units (KODIP is thankful to EAA for this).
Impact:
Beneficiaries of the “Units for Homeless” were familiarised with the heritage of Patras and its intercultural characteristics, they obtained new knowledge about this through informal type of training and exploration of new audiovisual tools, through guidance and participatory process. As a result, their feelings of dignity and belonging were empowered, and experienced in practice the equal treatment.
It is noteworthy, that this activity is part of a series of innovative actions targeting the social inclusion of homeless people and the upgrading of the quality of their lives, with respect to strengthening the social cohesion of Patras based on equality, anti-racism and intercultural management.
The Municipality of Patras and its Social Organisation (KODIP) provide a net of complementary services targeting the vulnerable groups of the city, by respecting human values and by providing equal treatment of all.
Key reference documents: https://kodip.gr/_domes_astegwn_antrwpinh_alysida_27-02-2025
