ECHO Hub Open Day 2024
On Friday, November 1st, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, engage with organizations and explore their services such as vocational training, sports, children’s activities, mental health support, legal assistance, and more.
Women’s health check-up
The Department of Preventive Medicine, Health Promotion and Public Health of the Directorate of Municipal Clinics and Public Health of the Municipality of Athens, in collaboration with the Oncology Hospital of Kifissia, is organizing free mammograms on the following dates:
Monday, October 21
Tuesday, October 22
Wednesday, October 23
Tuesday, October 29
It is necessary for those interested to make an appointment (Greek/English) on the telephone numbers: 210 2015510 – 511 (ext.: 119 and 123).
Participation conditions:
Women to be examined must be between 40 – 69 years old, (according to WHO protocols), otherwise they will not undergo a mammogram.
The Program is not aimed at women who already suffer from or have had breast cancer in the past.
One year must have passed since the last mammogram.
On the examination day, women must bring an identification document and a previous mammogram (if available).
Learning Opportunity
The MIT Emerging Talent Certificate in Computer and Data Science (CDS) Program is a yearlong online learning program offered by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that opens education to employment pathways for talented learners including refugees and migrants.
Apply by October 21, 2024
Find more details here: https://bit.ly/4h5W2lf
World Mental Health Day
The importance of mental health is dominant. Let’s create a world where individuals feel secure expressing their challenges and can seek the necessary support.
You are not alone
#WorldMentalHealthDay#MentalHealthMatters
HELIOS Update
❗Please find the updated information on the HELIOS Project
Fraud Alert
Asylum-seekers and refugees have reported receiving this invitation to participate to a questionnaire by somebody using UNHCR name and its logo:
This is a FRAUD and is not associated with UNHCR
The official communication channels of UNHCR Greece are the following:
• https://help.unhcr.org/greece/
• UNHCR phone number (216 200 7800)
• UNHCR email ([email protected])
• UNHCR Facebook Info Point: https://www.facebook.com/UNHCRGRinfopoint
Please remember that all UNHCR services and activities are free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay for any of the services provided by UNHCR or any of its partners. Do not believe anyone who tells you that they can help you with asylum registration, resettlement, Ramadan subsidy or other services if you pay or by clicking a dubious link.
Free Computer courses
Enrollments are now open!
Join IT courses at KEM to acquire valuable skills that are in demand in today’s job market!
Find more information below 
Free English language courses
Exciting News!
Check out the FREE English language courses for adult migrants and refugees at the Migrant Integration Center (KEM) of the City of Athens!
Duration: 4 months
Please note: to register for the courses, you will need an AMKA/PAAYPA number and a residence card or the relevant application.
For information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with KEM by phone at 2105246722 or email at [email protected]
Refugee Women Academy – September & October 2024 Training Sessions
Exciting News!
Don’t miss out on joining the Refugee Women Academy’s professional training in tourism-related fields.
Scam alert
Beware of fraudulent schemes circulating online, claiming to be associated with UNHCR. These scams often involve fake job offers or partnerships, requiring payment for fees or personal information.
Please take note:
1. UNHCR NEVER charges any fees throughout its recruitment or registration processes.
2. UNHCR NEVER asks for your username or password.
3. UNHCR NEVER sends email attachments that you didn’t request.
4. UNHCR NEVER charges money to register for a conference or reserve a hotel.
Please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity here: https://bit.ly/3IGRWjH
Athens Metro Information
The Athens Metro, with its 3 lines, offers convenient connections to the tram, bus, and suburban railway:
Line 1 (Green Line): Kifisia – Piraeus
Line 2 (Red Line): Anthoupoli – Helliniko
Line 3 (Blue Line): Airport – Dimotiko Theatro (Piraeus)
The overground metro runs from Kifissia to Piraeus, connecting to lines 2 and 3 at Attiki, Omonia, and Monastiraki stations.
Operating Hours:
Daily: 5 am to midnight
Fridays and Saturdays: Lines 2 and 3 run until 2 am
Timetable: https://bit.ly/3XrnGAj
Plan your journey and enjoy your ride!
Join the #FoodforAll Program for the September Food Distribution
The Mini Lexicon for Basic Communication (Dictionary)
This lexicon includes essential vocabulary for requesting information, accessing services, and addressing various needs related to daily life, health, and protection. It also contains specialized sections for women and unaccompanied children.
Accessible offline, you can save and download the content as a PDF file, ensuring you have it readily available regardless of internet connectivity.
The Mini Lexicon is available in 8 different languages: Arabic, Farsi, French, Kurmanji, Sorani, Turkish, Urdu, and Ukrainian.
Find the Mini Lexicon at UNHCR Greece Help Website: https://bit.ly/3TAOEmL
Scholarship opportunity
The European Commission, in collaboration with the Democritus University of Thrace in Greece, is offering a scholarship for the second consecutive year to beneficiaries of International or Temporary Protection.
This scholarship is available for the Master’s Programme in Quality, Safety, Security, Health, and Environmental Management for the academic year 2024/2025.
Find more information here: https://bit.ly/3T09qgq
World Humanitarian Day
On World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to humanitarian workers who, despite growing challenges, remain dedicated to serving people in need, regardless of their background or circumstances, especially those forced to flee.
Join the SISTECH Boost Program
For women refugees, beneficiaries of temporary protection, or asylum seekers in Greece (18+ with at least B1 English).
Program Details:
Online sessions: Wednesdays, 6 PM – 8 PM (English)
Support: Language buddies, mentorship, Greek classes, networking events, company visits
Additional Support: Access to a computer, Internet, and childcare (if needed).
Apply by September 6: https://sis.tech/apply/
Donation
Marina Satti has collaborated with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support refugee children. In this context, Marina Satti and Madhouse Records will donate their profit from the release of the music video “Ah, Thalassa” (“Oh, sea”) to help children in need: https://youtu.be/i9MknSwh0KQ?feature=shared
Updates on the Helios Project
HELIOS Project has been extended until September 30, 2024
Find more details here
Call for applications
Are you a refugee or a former refugee?
Have you been resettled or accessed a complementary pathway, or have experience in these areas?
We need you to join our Refugee Advisory Group!
Find out more: https://bit.ly/3RM59fF
Apply by July 19 – here: https://bit.ly/3L9O8Zk
Beware of Scams!
UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is aware of scams and fraudulent activities on social media and the internet. These schemes falsely use UNHCR’s name or logo to deceive people.
Please remember that all UNHCR staff are bound by a strict Code of Conduct and that all UNHCR services are free of charge. At no point, will you be asked to pay for any services provided by UNHCR or to support financially an employee of UNHCR. Be cautious with anybody approaching you online to request financial assistance to get them out of a difficult situation.
Please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity here: https://bit.ly/3IGRWjH
World Refugee Day!
On this day, we honor the resilience, courage, and strength of millions of displaced individuals around the world. Refugees flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disaster, seeking safety and a chance for a better life. Let us stand in solidarity with refugees and advocate for their rights.
Let’s build a future together, for everyone.
World Refugee Day event
Join us at the World Refugee Day event for a picnic, sports activities, workshops, exhibitions, and music.
The program includes activities for children and teenagers, workshops, exhibitions, skating, Hip Hop, crafts, sports, food, and live music by the Revma group, the Polyphonic Singing Group of Natalia Labadaki, and the band “Pyrofania”.
Thursday, June 20th, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
KAPAPS Park (Trifillia 77)
Happy Eid al-Adha!
Heat-protective measures
The Municipality of Athens informs you that as part of the measures taken to protect the health of citizens from the high temperatures and the heatwave, from Monday 10.06, 9:00 – 21:00 and for as long as required, the seven Friendship Clubs (LEFI) of the Municipality of Athens will operate as air-conditioned spaces.
Specifically:
1. Friendship Club Agiou Pavlou (Address: Mamouri 22 & Dymis)
Phone: 21092000269
2. Friendship Club “The Ascension of the Lord” Neos Kosmos (Address: Heldreich 15)
Phone: 2109240403
3. Friendship Club in Votanikos (Address: Kozanis 4)
Phone: 2103423716
4. Friendship Club in Kolokynthous (Address: 9 Aimonos & Astrous)
Phone: 2105140877
5. Friendship Club in Agios Eleftherios (Address: Acharnon 372)
Phone: 2102012334
6. Friendship Club in Kypseli (Address: Skyrou & Kafkasou)
Phone: 2108815877
7. Friendship Club in Ampelokipi (Address: Panormou & Vatheos)
Phone: 2106459890
Career Days “Welcome 2024”
Career Days “Welcome 2024” are coming to Athens for the 4th consecutive year!
Serafio City of Athens | May 31st, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration Period for Nursery Center Enrollment
Registration is now open for parents/guardians wishing to enroll infants and toddlers in the Athens Municipal Nursery’s Infant, Child, and Nursery Centers for the period of September 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.
Please note that the required supporting documents can only be submitted online on the website of the Municipal Nursery of Athens: https://bit.ly/44FPgwR
Who can be registered:
Toddlers: Born in the year 2021 and until 31/03/2022
Infants: Born from 01/04/2022 to 31/03/2024
A necessary condition for the final and validity of the registration application is the attachment of all the necessary submission supporting documents that will be requested based on the criteria parents/guardians choose on the platform.
Registration Application Period:
Start: 10/5/2024 from 00:01
Expiration: 31/5/2024 at 23:59
For more information on how to submit the application, please visit https://bit.ly/3yfopve
For information on the supporting documents required per case, please visit https://bit.ly/3wqVu7a
For any clarification you can contact the Application Selection & Registration Monitoring Department at the email address: [email protected], as well as on the phones: 2105102484 – 2105102485.
To see the full announcement, please visit: https://bit.ly/3wsP5bz
Entrepreneurship Program for Refugees “Ready4Business”
The 4th cycle of the Entrepreneurship Program for Refugees “Ready4Business” is open now. Application deadline: Thursday, May 30. Don’t miss your opportunity! Limited spots are available.
Apply here: bit.ly/3JU6lt6
Launch of UNHCR’s Refugee-led Innovation Fund 2024
We’re excited to introduce the launch of UNHCR’s Refugee-led Innovation Fund (RLIF) for 2024. This initiative is designed to cultivate innovation within communities affected by forced displacement, providing vital support through financial, mentorship, and essential resources.
Interested refugee-led organizations can apply now by submitting an initial expression of interest by 31 May 2024, following the link: https://bit.ly/3wcQin1
Discover more details: https://bit.ly/4aPry3k
Free courses for adult migrants and refugees
Exciting News!
Don’t miss out on FREE Greek, English, and Computer courses for adult migrants and refugees at the Center for Integration of Migrants (KEM) of the Municipality of Athens
Applications are made everyday from 10am to 1pm on the 3rd floor of KEM: Mezonos 45, Metaxourgeioor alternatively via email to [email protected]
Note: To enroll in a course your AMKA or PAAYPA number is required and a residence permit or a relevant application.
For further information please call: 2105246722 or send an email at [email protected]. Applications are made all year long and a waiting list is kept.
Mini Lexicon for Basic Communication
UNHCR and partners created the Mini Lexicon for Basic Communication (Dictionary).
This lexicon includes essential vocabulary for requesting information, accessing services, and addressing various needs related to daily life, health, and protection. It also contains specialized sections for women and unaccompanied children.
Accessible offline, you can save and download the content as a PDF file, ensuring you have it readily available regardless of internet connectivity.
The Mini Lexicon is available in 8 different languages: Arabic, Farsi, French, Kurmanji, Sorani, Turkish, Urdu, and Ukrainian.
Find the Mini Lexicon at UNHCR Greece Help Website: https://bit.ly/3TAOEmL
SISTECH Program
Join SISTECH Pathway to enhance your digital skills and professional English proficiency. Apply by May 25 for the online program, running from June 18 to July 25 – https://bit.ly/3TY0eIU
Happy Eid al-Fitr!
Entrepreneurship Program
Ready to launch your business? Join Odyssea’s Entrepreneurship Program!
Apply for this program: https://bit.ly/3U6A8DV
Offline training and coaching program for entrepreneurs
Exciting news for all aspiring entrepreneurs 
! The “Craft your Business” offline training and coaching program by IRC and Alba Graduate School is set to begin on April 15th!
Fraud alert!
Asylum-seekers and refugees have reported receiving this invitation to participate to a questionnaire by somebody using UNHCR name and its logo:
❌This is a FRAUD and is not associated with UNHCR.
The official communication channels of UNHCR Greece are the following:
• https://help.unhcr.org/greece/
• UNHCR phone number (216 200 7800)✅
• UNHCR email ([email protected])✅
• UNHCR Facebook Info Point: https://www.facebook.com/UNHCRGRinfopoint✅
- Please remember that all UNHCR services and activities are free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay for any of the services provided by UNHCR or any of its partners. Do not believe anyone who tells you that they can help you with asylum registration, resettlement, Ramadan subsidy or other services if you pay or by clicking a dubious link.
Scam alert!
Beware of fraudulent schemes circulating online, claiming to be associated with UNHCR. These scams often involve fake job offers or partnerships, requiring payment for fees or personal information. Please take note:
1. UNHCR NEVER charges any fees throughout its recruitment or registration processes.
2. UNHCR NEVER asks for your username or password.
3. UNHCR NEVER sends email attachments that you didn’t request.
4. UNHCR NEVER charges money to register for a conference or reserve a hotel.
Please be vigilant and report any suspicious activity here: https://bit.ly/3IGRWjH
A mask-making workshop for children
The Migrant Integration Center (KEM) of the City of Athens invites you to a mask-making workshop from recyclable materials!
Wednesday, March 6
16:00-18:00
For children from 7-12
Address: Fokionos Negri 42, Athens, in the Municipal Market of Kypseli (Creative Lab 2)
Find more information here: https://bit.ly/3TnEvLq
The 2024 City Guides for Athens & Thessaloniki
Exciting news! The 2024 Athens & Thessaloniki City Guides are now available to assist asylum-seekers, refugees, and stateless persons in finding essential services in these cities.
The creation of the 2024 edition of the City Guides has been a collaborative project between UNHCR Greece, the Athens Coordination Center for Migrant and Refugee Issues (ACCMR), and Refugee.Info Greece (راهنمای پناهندگان Refugee.Info دليل اللاجئ).
The Guides, available in 9 languages, include information on health, education, legal services and much more. Each entry features contact details and a QR code linking to more information at the Refugee.Info website. Find these City Guides here : https://shorturl.at/izX47
Extension of Temporary Protection for Ukrainians
According to a decision by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, the Residence Permits of Temporary Protection that expire on March 4, 2024 are extended for one year (until March 4, 2025).
For more information see: https://bit.ly/49pvarZ
Interpreters’ Training Seminar with employment opportunities
Exciting Opportunity Announcement!
Are you interested in becoming an interpreter? METAdrasi is offering a free Interpreters’ Training Seminar with employment opportunities!
Discover more details here: https://shorturl.at/pB018
New Training Initiative: Empowering Refugees and Migrants as Personal Caregivers for Individuals with Disabilities
A new training course for refugees and migrants with employment prospects as personal caregivers for people with disabilities.
METAdrasi and UNHCR are launching the fifth cycle of education and training that offers the opportunity for participants to acquire the necessary skills for employment in the field of caring for people with disabilities.
The programme includes:
Theoretical training and practical training in a certified institution
Training in first aid and child protection
Support for registration on the Ministry of Labour’s platform.
Greek courses to improve the level of the language.
Application deadline: 19/02/2024
More information and application form can be found at the following link: https://bit.ly/3UtMJTg
Updates on the Helios Project
The HELIOS project has been extended until 30 June 2024. HELIOS project services will gradually resume, and all HELIOS beneficiaries will be contacted accordingly. New enrollments in the project and new lease agreements will henceforth be accepted.
More information can be found here: https://greece.iom.int/helios-announcement-english
Safety Measures in cold weather
The City of Athens Reception and Solidarity Center (K.Y.A.D.A.) remains vigilant, by supporting our vulnerable fellow citizens during the cold weather.
In particular:
– K.Y.A.D.A.’s Street work, featuring psychologists, social workers, and nurses, operates from 8 am to 2am across Athens, providing food, blankets, hot tea, and insulated gloves. They also intervene in specific locations, such as parks and gardens, where there are people in need and their presence may not be easily noticed.
– The Day Center (Acharnon 3) operates from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., providing clothing, personal hygiene items, showers, and food services.
-The Dormitory (Acharnon 3) operates 24/7 to provide accommodation for the homeless.
Throughout the day we receive emergency calls for interventions in locations where there are homeless people.
If you encounter a citizen in need of assistance, please contact 1595 or 210-5287800 (the contact number for the Civil Protection of the Municipality of Athens).
Fraud Alert
Some individuals have been approached on social media and/or via email by people using UNHCR name and asking for money under the pretext of an urgent situation:
❌ This is a FRAUD and is not associated with UNHCR
The official communication channels of UNHCR Greece are the following:
- https://help.unhcr.org/greece/
- UNHCR phone number (216 200 7800)
- UNHCR email ([email protected])
- UNHCR Facebook Info Point: https://www.facebook.com/UNHCRGRinfopoint
Please remember that all UNHCR staff are bound by a strict Code of Conduct and that all UNHCR services are free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay for any services provided by UNHCR or to support financially an employee of UNHCR. Be cautious with anybody approaching you online to request your financial assistance to get them out of a difficult situation.
Free eye clinic in Athens! 14-20 December 2023
Light Without Borders and OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, in cooperation with UNHCR, Bairamoglou and MSF, will conduct a free eye clinic in Athens for all those in need, regardless of legal status (refugees, asylum-seekers, migrants etc.) and age. The clinic will include visual screening to determine the need of each patient: prescription glasses will be provided for free to those needing them based on the screening. Other specialized ophthalmological testing and surgeries can be conducted as well.
To participate you need to download and fill the form at this link https://shareyougo.com/U6WI8Cam and share it by email with [email protected]
If you need help in filling the form, you can contact UNHCR at +302162007800 or [email protected] : the team of UNHCR speaks Arabic, Dari/Farsi, French, English, Greek, Sorani, Russian, Ukrainian
Extension of temporary protection
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum has issued decision to extend the temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine for another 6 months, until the 4th of March 2024.
Wildfires in the region of Evros
Kindly note that following the destructive wildfires in the region of Evros which led to the death of people, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum issued an announcement on 24 August 2023 to channel potential requests by relatives and families looking for their missing family members and friends to the responsible authorities involved in the identification of the dead and missing persons.
In particular, all requests and queries can be addressed to the Disaster Victim Identification Unit of the Hellenic Police as follows:
- Call center: +302131386000. The call center will be open from Friday 25 August 2023 from 09.00 to 17.00 (UTC+3) on a daily basis and will support the following languages: English, Arabic, Pashto, Turkish and Urdu.
- On WhatsApp 00306944471742 and email dvi@astynomia.GR interested parties will be able to send any document concerning missing persons.
The announcement of the Ministry can be found here: https://migration.gov.gr/tilefoniko-kentro-gia-tin-anagnorisi-ton-thymaton-tis-pyrkagias-stin-eyryteri-periochi-tis-koinotitas-avanta-sto-nomo-evroy/
10-year residence permit for unaccompanied children
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Migration and Asylum have introduced an opportunity for you to obtain a 10-year residence permit, only if you are a third-country national or a stateless person who arrived in Greece as an unaccompanied child and if you have successfully completed at least three grades of secondary education at a Greek school before turning 23.
Here’s what you need to know:
To apply for this special residence permit, you’ll need a few essential documents.
- Document issued by the state authorities showing that the beneficiary entered Greece as unaccompanied minor. This document must be issued by: the Asylum Service or Reception and Identification Service, or General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, or the Hellenic Police,
- A declaration by the person that he/she has stayed in the country for a period of more than two (2) consecutive years without interruptions.
- Evidence of successful completion of at least three (3) grades of secondary education at a Greek school in Greece before reaching the age of twenty-third (23).
Fraud Alert
Asylum-seekers and refugees have reported receiving this invitation to participate to a questionnaire by somebody using UNHCR name and its logo:
❌ This is a FRAUD and is not associated with UNHCR
The official communication channels of UNHCR Greece are the following:
• https://help.unhcr.org/greece/✅
• UNHCR phone number (216 200 7800)✅
• UNHCR email ([email protected]).✅
• UNHCR Facebook Info Point: https://www.facebook.com/UNHCRGRinfopoint✅
❌ Please remember that all UNHCR services and activities are free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay for any of the services provided by UNHCR or any of its partners. Do not believe anyone who tells you that they can help you with registration, resettlement or other services if you pay.
Refugee Women Academy
Join the Refugee Women Academy and have an opportunity to work in the tourism sector!
- Greek classes
- Vocational training
- Employability matching with relevant Job Opportunities
Duration: Two months
Location: Athens
Application: https://odyssea.com/en/refugee-women-academy/
Heatwave guidelines
The “Scheduling a registration appointment for subsequent application” platform of the Asylum Service is on
As of Monday 22/8, the production run of the “Scheduling a registration appointment for subsequent application” platform shall be implemented, which is addressed to asylum seekers whose initial application has been finally rejected. In fact, the platform is addressed to those Third Country Nationals (TCNs) who wish to submit a new claim for international protection in our country, after their initial application has been definitively rejected.
The platform is developed and available in: English, Albanian (Sqip), Arabic, Bengali, Dari, Farsi, Georgian, Kurmanji, Pashto, Turkish, Urdu, with the possibility of expanding to more languages, if the need arises in the future.
The platform can be accessed through the following link:
https://apps.migration.gov.gr/international-protection-registration
In order to properly apply the scheduling and to facilitate your assistance, please arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled registration appointment, holding all of your identification documents. With the start of functioning of the above procedure, the Skype app that was previously in force for booking registration appointments will be deactivated.
Finally, we remind you that, for all interested persons who have never visited the Asylum Service Offices and have never submitted an application for international protection up to now, it is now possible to get registered at the following points: Malakasa Camp and Diavata Camp, following the procedure “Scheduling an initial registration appointment” described in the platform, which you can also access through the above-mentioned link (https://apps.migration.gov.gr/international-protection-registration ).
FRAUD ALERT
27/05/2022
Have you received the below invitation on Telegram lately?
Take a closer look please. If you have, please be aware that it is A FRAUD. If you haven’t, please be careful if you ever receive one.
Asylum-seekers and refugees have reported receiving this invitation to join a Telegram channel acting as UNHCR and using its logo.
This is a FRAUD and is not associated with UNHCR.
The official communication channels of UNHCR Greece are the following:
- https://help.unhcr.org/greece/,
- UNHCR phone number (216 200 7800)
- UNHCR email ([email protected]).
All UNHCR services and activities are free of charge. At no point will you be asked to pay for any of the services provided by UNHCR or any of its partners. Please do not believe anyone who tells you that they can help you with registration, resettlement or other services if you pay.
Fake Skype Accounts
12/02/2022
- We are aware that fake SKYPE accounts are being used to mislead asylum-seekers into thinking that they are contacting the Greek Asylum Office. Access to all asylum services, including SKYPE, are completely FREE of charge. Official staff of the Asylum Office do NOT request an exchange of services or money for these appointments. If you have been a victim of this scam, we encourage you to file a complaint with the local police authority.
Warning: Skype Fraud to Make an Appointment with the Greek Asylum Office
