Prosvasis – Program for social inclusion and empowerment of unaccompanied teenagers and young refugees

The Prosvasis project aims to empower unaccompanied teenagers and young refugees and migrants, aged 16-24; to orient them towards an active attitude towards their lives and their future; and to become the BASIS for their social inclusion.

Considering (a) the criticality of age before and during the transition to adulthood, especially for vulnerable groups of children such as unaccompanied adolescents, (b) the absence of specific predictions for teenagers and young people in existing and upcoming programs (e.g. Integration Program of the International Organization for Migration, service gaps for young people over 18, as well as in the National Refugee Integration Strategy (NCS), and (c) high youth unemployment rates attaining almost 40%, we have planned a holistic and practical intervention to strengthen teenagers and young people.

Prosvasis provides a comprehensive action plan that includes psychosocial and legal support, job counseling, access to education, training opportunities and non-formal learning through a theatrical intervention in 20 schools, field visits to connect with working reality and participation in advocacy and public intervention actions. The method that will be developed, to enhance the skills of young people and teenagers, will be reflected in a special manual which will be available to professionals in the field. The project is implemented by the Network for the Children’s Rights (NCR) together with the International Rescue Committee Hellas (IRC) and the theatrical group Guild of Laughter, based on the Intercultural Youth Center of the NCR in Athens.

The Prosvasis project is implemented within the framework of the Active citizens fund program by the Network for Children’s Rights and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Laughter Guild as partners. The 12m€  Active citizens fund program is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) funding mechanism for the period 2014 – 2021. The program aims to strengthen and enhance the sustainability of society and its role in promoting democratic processes, enhancing citizen participation in the public and defending human rights. The management of the Active citizens fund program for Greece has been jointly undertaken by the Bodosakis Foundation and SolidarityNow.