Greece

The Union of Women of Heraklion runs shelters for women victims of violence and for homeless people. It also operates a counselling centre, drives project for the integration of victims of the economic crisis and since 2010 opened a shelter for abandoned children (0-6).

The Smile of the Child is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation that protects children’s rights and provides them with emotional and psycho social support through varied services. Children who suffer from health problems or any type of abuse, neglect or abandonment              are within the organisation’s mandate.

The Society for the Development and Creative Occupation of Children (EADAP) is an NGO whose primary role is the study, promotion and dissemination of educational innovations to develop the potential of all children from preschool age to their first years at school. EADAP was founded in 1992 by a group of academic specialists and since then it has been participating in European and international networks, engaging in academic research, implementing training programs              specialising in continuous in-service training organising innovative education activities for young children and encouraging cooperation between parents-teachers-educational bodies.

Roots Research Centre was established in 1999 in Athens by adult adoptees. The Centre’s activities range from the support of adult adoptees in search of their roots as well as to promote the notion of fostering and adoption as means of a special social practice in the field of Child Protection. The Centre maintains a research and registration databank for those in search of their roots.

Prolepsis Institute is a non-profit organisation active in the field of public health since 1991. With a strong belief that health is a fundamental, non-negotiable and inalienable right for every human being. Prolepsis has had a leading role in the field of public health both at national and European levels. It carries out scientific research but also actions against child poverty, food insecurity and child obesity.

ERGO is committed to helping children and young people, particularly those living in disadvantage. Their main activities are promoting well-being of children and young people, strengthening of their psycho-social skills, advocate for children’s rights, participate in supportive social networks and develop psycho-pedagogical training material.

The European Social Fund Coordination and Monitoring Authority (EYSEKT) was established in 2001 in order to monitor the implementation of ESF policies through actions being realized in the country by 4 Sectoral and 13 Regional Operational Programmes and to coordinate the design   the implementation and the evaluation of these actions.

“Iliachtida” is a non-governmental organisation that established the first Hospitality Centre for Sick Children and Family in order to host sick children and mothers who come from all parts of Greece and Cyprus to receive treatment in hospitals of Athens. Iliachtida offers to these families services such as nutrition, financial support (cover basic expenses), psychological and educational support.

Network for Children’s Rights (NCR) is a non-profit organization, established in 2004, whose aim is to safeguard the rights of children as set out by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. NCR therefore, reaches out to all children, regardless of ethnic origin, race, gender, religion or language, through specialized educational programmes, creative groups and extra-curricular activities. NCR also provides psychosocial and legal support.

The Panhellenic Association of Adapted Activities “ALMA” is a non-profit organisation and a certified primary and secondary care provider, created in 1996 with the purpose of education and creative activities for persons with intellectual disability and autism, through educational, sporting and cultural activities aiming to their psychosocial development and integration into a society of equal opportunities. Their programs promote the autonomous and dignified living of people with disabilities, aiming at raising awareness of the community. ALMA Association organizes and implements activities that include actions for young people and adults that promote the autonomy of people with disabilities, the advocacy and the acceptance of difference in all its aspects, aiming at their psychosocial development total integration of equal opportunities.