The Program

The project “Supplementary Support Mechanism for the National Strategy for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors in Greece” – PYXIDA aims at establishing a complementary support mechanism to address identified needs and structural gaps within the existing protection framework.

More specifically, the project includes:

The “Pyxida” Centers provide specialized services to unaccompanied minors and young adults (former unaccompanied children) up to the age of 21, aiming to support needs that are not covered by the existing protection framework.

Our services are structured around four main pillars:

• Mental health
• Strengthening participation in educational processes and vocational guidance
• Legal support
• Smooth transition to adulthood

Service Beneficiaries:

• Unaccompanied minors who may reside in UAM Accommodation Facilities, Semi-Independent Living Apartments, Emergency Accommodation Structures, Safe Zones, Reception and Identification Centers (RICs), and Closed Controlled Facilities.
• Young adults up to 21 years of age who entered the country as unaccompanied minors and are registered in the relevant Unaccompanied Minors Registry.

Five Specialized Services Centers operate in different locations across the country, covering the needs of unaccompanied minors and former unaccompanied minors in wider geographical areas:

• Athens: Serves Attica and the Peloponnese
• Thessaloniki: Covers Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
• Ioannina: Covers Epirus and Central Greece
• Larissa: Serves Thessaly and Western Macedonia
• Lesvos: Covers the needs of the North Aegean

Responsible Partner: ZEUXIS

Transportation services for Unaccompanied Minors facing health issues. This action αφορά the escorting of unaccompanied and separated minors with medical needs and vulnerabilities to public and private health facilities throughout the country. The purpose of this action is to facilitate access of unaccompanied and separated minors to the health system in cases where escort support is required for visits to medical providers. ZEUXIS, as the implementing organization, will provide three (3) Mobile Units equipped with basic medical equipment, staffed by specialized professionals, and will escort minors to medical appointments for examinations. The mobile units will cover the entire Greek territory, including both the mainland and the islands.

Responsible Partner: SYNYPARXIS

Escort services in cases of hospitalization for Unaccompanied Minors. This action αφορά the provision of escort/caregiver services for Unaccompanied Minors who require hospitalization and need to stay overnight in healthcare facilities.

Responsible Partner: SOS Children’s Villages

Within the framework of the PYXIDA project, SOS Children’s Villages undertake the provision of clinical supervision services to professionals working with unaccompanied minors in Unaccompanied Children Accommodation Facilities (UCAF), Supervised Semi-Independent Living Apartments, Emergency Accommodation Structures for Unaccompanied Children, and appointed guardians.

Clinical supervision services aim to improve the quality of care provided to unaccompanied minors and support professionals through:

• Understanding needs: Professionals will gain a deeper understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by unaccompanied minors.
• Facilitating communication: Support in resolving issues arising in the relationship between staff and minors.
• Conflict management: Discussion and management of difficulties or conflicts arising among staff members in daily work.
• Prevention of professional burnout: Support to address professional burnout and mitigate negative emotions affecting everyday work.

Through these interventions, the PYXIDA project aspires to create a supportive environment both for unaccompanied minors and for the professionals working to protect them.

Strengthening the networking of Unaccompanied Minors

Responsible Partner: European Expression – EKPETHE

To enhance children’s participation at all levels of decision-making affecting them, this action includes the development of standards and the establishment of a participatory community system for minors in accommodation facilities for unaccompanied minors (democratic communities and European way of life, combating stereotypes and promoting gender equality), as well as the creation of a framework to ensure the child’s participation in the design of their action plan and the determination of a durable solution for each child. A key deliverable of this sub-project is the creation of the Guide for the Establishment and Operation of Democratic Communities in Unaccompanied Children Accommodation Facilities (UCAF), as well as ensuring their operation, with the ultimate goal of activating, developing individual and social skills, empowering, and ultimately encouraging and achieving the meaningful participation of unaccompanied minors in decision-making processes and initiatives both within the UCAF and more broadly at the local community level.

For the implementation of this action, the following will be carried out:

• Development of a Guide for the Operation of Democratic Communities within UCAF
• Presentation event of the Guide for the Operation of Democratic Communities within UCAF
• Training of 300 UCAF staff members by a team of EKPETH trainers on Democratic Community Operation issues, based on the Guide to be developed. As part of the training, 80 two-hour workshops will be implemented.
• Training of 200 Unaccompanied Minors by a team of EKPETH trainers on Democratic Community Operation issues, based on the Guide to be developed. As part of the training, 40 two-hour workshops will be implemented either in person or online.
• Creation of a Network of Organizations and Bodies working with refugees and inclusion, and inclusion of volunteer beneficiaries from UCAF aiming at providing voluntary work by the Unaccompanied Minors themselves within the Community. Creation of Volunteer Actions with Municipalities, Schools, etc. (Clean-ups, Tree Planting, Blood Donation, Cultural Events).

Design & dissemination of educational material for Unaccompanied Minors

Responsible Partner: European Expression – EKPETHE

Given that administrative and legal procedures can be particularly difficult even for adults, informational material must be prepared for unaccompanied minors with child-friendly information, so that they receive reliable information adapted to their abilities from the early stage of their arrival. This material may concern:

• Material conditions, rights and reception rules
• Options regarding legal status
• Status determination procedures, rights and obligations
• Guardianship
• Children’s rights
• Protection framework in Greece, roles of professionals, the system surrounding an unaccompanied minor
• Helplines
• Hospitals, psychosocial support services, healthcare, day centers
• Important locations

For the implementation of this action, the following will be carried out:

• Mapping of all services that unaccompanied minors need access to based on their needs.
• Creation of an informational website with the mapped information for UAMs in 7 languages. The website will be connected to a mobile application.
• Mobile application connected to the website in 7 languages
• Printing of informational material in 7 languages (10,000 copies)

Awareness-Raising Workshops for Unaccompanied Minors

Responsible Partner: ZEUXIS

ZEUXIS implements workshops for (a) informing unaccompanied minors about the risks of human trafficking and various forms of violence/abuse and risk management strategies, and (b) awareness-raising and understanding of gender equality issues. It also includes actions ensuring the continuation of the workshops through staff training and the creation of appropriate educational material. The implementation of workshops targeting unaccompanied minors serves a crucial purpose by educating them about the potential risks they face, including human trafficking and various forms of violence, as well as on gender equality issues, which contribute to dismantling harmful stereotypes and preventing discrimination and violence. These workshops provide vital knowledge that enables children to recognize danger, make informed decisions, respond effectively to threats, and build healthy relationships that promote respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of gender.