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Description
In the wider area of Heraklion in Crete, many migrants live and work, alone or with their families. In the same area, through the integration programs ESTIA and HELIOS, many refugees have also arrived, most of them with their families, and many remain after the end of these programs. Through the program of the social laboratory of creative integration that we developed in the Thalassa of Solidarity, we are coming in contact with these migrant and refugee communities on a daily basis. Their problems are many, but one of the main ones is the lack of information on where and how they could be served on their key issues such as access to services, the labor market, health services, and their rights. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, these groups, along with others such as the unemployed and homeless Greeks, have been further pressured and the difficulty of accessing information via electronic means makes the situation even more difficult.
The purpose of the project is to create a network of state actors and organizations where with seminars, production of information material and a permanent website will be able to bring all this information to those interested, in their language, migrants or locals, and this information will be based to the needs of themselves, refugees, immigrants and locals facing social exclusion.
Through meetings and consultation with existing agencies we will make a survival map in Heraklion Crete with information on all organizations and agencies, with the services and criteria that exist, which needs can be met and which needs are not met. This will help in a permanent interaction between the institutions and the served public. In this way, civil society organizations will be closer, they will be able to face common challenges but also to take initiatives for new actions.
Summary of project results
The purpose of the project was to create a network of 18 organisations which through seminars, development of informational material and a website will be able to provide information to migrant and refugees communities living in the island of Crete on access to services, the labor market, health services, and their rights. The project tackled several interconnected challenges:
- Lack of Accessible Information: Refugees, migrants, and socially excluded individuals often faced difficulties accessing clear, up-to-date information on essential services and resources.
- Language Barriers: Many in the target population struggled to find information in a language they could understand, hindering their ability to seek assistance for basic needs.
- Fragmentation of Services: A lack of coordination and centralized resources among local organizations and authorities created inefficiencies and gaps in service delivery.
- Social Exclusion: Limited access to information compounded the challenges of social exclusion and integration, leaving vulnerable populations isolated and underserved.
- Need for Cross-Sector Collaboration: Civil society organizations and service providers often worked in silos, missing opportunities to pool resources and address systemic issues collectively.
Website Development:
- Designed and launched an online platform providing comprehensive information about services and resources available in Heraklion.
- The website includes multilingual support in Greek, English, Arabic, Farsi, and Ukrainian, ensuring accessibility for diverse users.
Mapping Local Resources:
- Collaborated with 18 organizations and authorities to gather and verify information about their services and activities.
- Compiled data on services related to social support, labor market access, healthcare, legal rights, and basic needs.
Information Dissemination:
- Created an information leaflet summarizing the website’s purpose and features, distributed both digitally and in printed form.
- Planned regular updates to ensure the information remains accurate and relevant.
Engagement and Synergies:
- Fostered collaboration among local civil society organizations to encourage joint efforts and shared solutions.
- Promoted the platform as a space for interaction and the development of collective actions.
The project''s outcomes and impact include:
- Improved Access to Services: Refugees, migrants, and socially excluded individuals gained a reliable, easy-to-use tool for finding essential services in their preferred language.
- Enhanced Coordination: Local organizations and authorities now have a shared resource to streamline their activities and improve service delivery.
- Empowered Target Populations: Users can independently access vital information, reducing their reliance on intermediaries and enabling them to make informed decisions about their needs.
- Stronger Civil Society Networks: The platform encouraged dialogue and collaboration among local stakeholders, fostering a more unified approach to addressing social exclusion and integration.
Beneficiaries
Refugees, migrants, and socially excluded individuals in Heraklion who now have better access to services and opportunities. Local organizations and authorities, benefiting from improved coordination, visibility, and outreach to vulnerable populations.