The HELIOS Project (Supporting Integration in Greece of Beneficiaries of International Protection and Temporary Protection) has been an important station since 2019 that promoted the integration of refugees/Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in our country.
INTERSOS Hellas participated in the implementation of the HELIOS Project , providing support services for the independent housing of the beneficiaries in apartments rented in their name. During the implementation of the program, 901 housing contracts were signed, 1,220 suitable apartments were identified, while 2,657 beneficiaries were moved to houses in Epirus and Thessaly.
“Finding housing that meets people’s needs is an essential step in integrating people into local communities. This process was not always easy and there were many obstacles to overcome.
What remains, however, are the meaningful relationships that were developed between the homeowners and their tenants, which in many cases lasted for years and became lifelong relationships.”EFTHIMIOS TROMPOUKIS, SENIOR PEOJECT MANAGER INTERSOS HELLAS
Through the activities of HELIOS, not only was there support in finding housing, but the people of INTERSOS Hellas had the opportunity to personally meet Hala, Ahmed, Patricia and many more people from all over the world who shared their story with them and gave them life lessons.
Support in finding a home has been one of the most important services provided, however the HELIOS Project has created the opportunities to organize activities in order to achieve a wider integration of the beneficiaries into Greek society.
Greek language courses, job counseling workshops, intercultural events with the participation and cooperation of refugees and locals are just some of the initiatives that played a particularly important role in the acceptance that those people felt from society and ultimately in their integration.
The total services offered by INTERSOS Hellas through HELIOS amounted to 4,194 and a total of 4,133 people benefited.
INTERSOS Hellas participated as a partner in the HELIOS Project integration program from 2019-2024, which was implemented with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with partners & with funding from the Ministry of Migration & Asylum and the European Union.