Learning from the Mentorship Project for Unaccompanied Children in Greece
Through the activities of the CO.A.ST – My Coming of Age Story project, our team had the opportunity to learn more about an inspiring initiative supporting unaccompanied children in Greece: the mentorship project run by the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, with the support of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
Launched in July 2021, the project brings together six trained mentors who work closely with unaccompanied children, drawing on their own lived experience as former unaccompanied children and members of refugee communities. Through peer-to-peer engagement and other activities, mentors provide guidance, information, and emotional support to children navigating life in Greece.
Peer-to-peer support in practice
A core component of the mentors’ work involves visits to accommodation centres and Supported Independent Living (SIL) facilities, mainly in Attica but also in other regions of Greece. During these visits, mentors organise focus group discussions where children can ask questions, share concerns, and receive practical guidance on issues affecting their daily lives.
The project also promotes creative expression through art. The organisation of painting workshops and painting exhibitions in different locations offers children the opportunity to express themselves creatively while showcasing their talents to the wider public. These activities help build confidence and provide positive visibility to young people’s artistic abilities.
Sharing information and building connections
Another important initiative within the project is the Teens Network, which brings together mentors, professionals, partners and the interested minors for monthly online thematic meetings. These sessions address topics relevant to unaccompanied children, providing accessible information and guidance to help them better understand different processes and navigate everyday challenges.
Mentors also contribute to the creation of informational and educational videos, published on the YouTube channel “Mentors Explained.” These videos provide practical guidance on key topics and can be accessed continuously via QR codes, making them an accessible resource for young people seeking reliable information.
Raising awareness and supporting wellbeing
Beyond direct support to unaccompanied children, mentors also engage with the broader community. Through school visits and participation in school events, they help raise awareness about the realities and challenges of living as an unaccompanied child, and resilience of these children.
The project also promotes mental health awareness, providing unaccompanied children with information and tools to better understand and address their own and their peers’ mental health challenges.
The mentorship project in Greece has been highlighted as an inspiring practice within the framework of AMIF. Providing information and support through this type of mechanisms and “body systems” has proven particularly beneficial for unaccompanied children. Meeting mentors who have lived very similar experiences with them can help young people feel understood, more comfortable asking questions, and more receptive to guidance. Furthermore, the mentors themselves serve as powerful role models.
The mentorship project represents a valuable and encouraging initiative. Expanding such programmes within Greece and creating similar peer-support mechanisms could significantly strengthen the support systems available to unaccompanied children and further enhance their protection and inclusion.