A 17-year-old from Pakistan, through targeted support, has returned to school and is preparing to obtain a residence permit. An 11-year-old Syrian girl found safety with her brother, escaping precarious conditions. These are examples of how targeted support can change lives. The Program “Protection for All Minors“, implemented from August 2022 by the organization Intersos, takes care of the safe living of unaccompanied minors arriving in Greece.

The executive director of the organization, Apostolos Veizis, emphasizes speaking to APE-MPE that the protection of unaccompanied minors is an issue that requires holistic managementi.e. a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to support and integrate them into Greek society.

“Unaccompanied minors without parental protection are a particularly vulnerable group and require careful and coordinated intervention by the competent authorities and agencies. Holistic management involves several sectors, which must work together to meet their needs: legal protection, protection, psychosocial support, education, inter-agency cooperation, public information and professional training. Holistic management requires the integration of these elements into an overall strategic framework of the country”explains Mr. Weizis.

According to his data Ministry of Immigration and Asylumin December 2024, have been recorded in Greece 2,414 unaccompanied minors of which 89% are boys and 15% are under 15 years of age. 1,372 live in accommodation centers operated by the ministry, while 209 are accommodated in semi-autonomous living apartments, 151 in emergency accommodation structures, 506 in Reception and Identification centers and closed controlled structures, and 176 in controlled asylum seeker accommodation structures. However, as argued by Mr. Veizis, there are also a number of unaccompanied minors who live outside organized structures for various reasons. This specific program is aimed exactly at these children.

“Many of the children who do not wish to be housed are either forced by their families to work in order to support the finances of the family, which is in the country of origin, or they have debts to the traffickers that they must pay off and they are often victims trafficking, or have already developed a network with compatriots that they do not want to part with because they feel familiar even if there is exploitation. It is very important for these children to have reference persons and a multidisciplinary team of professionals in order to know how they can get help from the Greek state, where they can go when they need help and what their rights are”, explains the executive director of Intersos and adds: “Many children reported that they have left shelters because of the restrictive environment. They prefer to live alone or with relatives, even if it means they have to work from a young age, as they feel more autonomy and freedom in their lives outside the accommodation structures. At the same time, they recognize that hosting structures provide them with more security in case of need. Most children dream of working or opening their own business, mainly in the trade or catering sector. Despite the uncertainty they experience due to the lack of legalization documents, they are determined to build a better future either in Greece or in other European countries.”

In the framework of the “Protection for All Minors” program, the “Urban Safe Space” was established, a space in the city center operated by the Network for the Rights of the Child, funded by INTERSOS HELLAS. Its aim is to contribute to reduction of unaccompanied and separated children who do not wish to be accommodated in accommodation structures and live in precarious living conditions. In particular, this is achieved through the holistic provision of services and activities that encourage children to leave precarious living conditions.

The program was designed with the aim of institutionalizing and implementing the role of “Parastat”. In the original design, the team consisted of four Parastatas (who belong to the specialties of social workers, psychologists and lawyers) and were responsible for assessing the best interests of children, who are either not housed in a reception structure due to their unwillingness or not locating them, or while they were sheltered, they have suddenly left it. In the context of supporting children who fall into the above categories, the Caregivers are responsible for planning and developing an action plan for each child individually, according to their own needs.

Unaccompanied children, according to Greek legislation and international agreements, are entitled to special protection due to their minor age and the fact that they are in a more vulnerable situation.

As explained by Mr. Visas are entitled to:

  • Asylum Application Procedure: Unaccompanied children have the right to apply for asylum and have their application considered on the basis of their particular needs. During the asylum process, unaccompanied children must be given the opportunity to be legally represented and have access to information and support.
  • Special care and support: Unaccompanied children have the right to special care and protection from the state or organizations that provide care for children. This includes placing them in safe accommodation, monitoring their health and ensuring their psychological well-being.
  • Protection from abuse and exploitation: Unaccompanied children have the right to be protected from any form of abuse, exploitation or abuse. Their care must be done in an appropriate environment, where they will be protected from risks.
  • Family communication rights: Children have the right to communicate with their family or other loved ones if possible, so that the connection with their world is not interrupted and their protection is ensured.
  • Education and access to health care: Unaccompanied children have the right to education and health care, regardless of their status. This includes enrolling them in schools and providing them with medical care.

A critical issue for integration and more generally for their well-being and future, is their access to education. “Some children attend classes in a public school, several report that they are in the process of registration, while others have not yet registered, either because they are waiting for the process to be completed by the Commissioner, or because they are not interested. Many children express an interest in education, mainly to improve their chances of obtaining legal documents and building a better future in Greece”, concludes Apostolos Veizis.