We have four programmes directing all our activities:
- Community Empowerment Mobilisation
- Integration
- Non-formal Education
- Humanitarian Aid
Community Empowerment Mobilisation
Refugees arriving Europe have fled from war, terror, and persecution. These traumas are often amplified by their horrible living conditions. A Drop in the Ocean organises activities that aim to empower displaced persons and support their psychosocial well-being. We also aim to improve cohesion and contribute to a sense of community among people living both inside and outside of refugee camps.
Our various activities are directed at children, youth, women, and men, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and unaccompanied minors.
We use a community-based approach, involving beneficiaries in our programmes as much as possible in the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of activities. This helps us to better develop activities according to needs and increase ownership of activities and strengthen community networks.
Integration
A Drop in the Ocean aims to support displaced persons’ integration in their new society, and strengthen their personal and professional development. With increased knowledge about the society they have come to, more people can access resources and training, and find work and housing. We organise employability workshops and coordinate with relevant actors, connecting beneficiaries to already existing employment-related programmes. This has been proved to be especially needed in Greece, after a new Greek law, adopted in 2020, reduces the grace period in which recognised refugees have to leave their organised accomodation and move into independent living within 30 days. This has placed an enormous pressure on recognised refugees and many need extra support and guidance.
Non-formal Education
Displaced persons’ access to education is limited. A Drop in the Ocean supports educational development with non-formal education as one of our activities in refugee camps. We aim to support displaced persons in accessing formal education and to promote their employability and integration in their host society.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), non-formal education includes “all organised education activities that are outside the formally established system”. A Drop in the Ocean’s non-formal education activities are carried out in a flexible manner, but follow a clear structure. Our education coordinator is a professional teacher and has adapted curricula and schedules to accomodate the learning needs of displaced persons living in refugee camps.
Humanitarian Aid
Living conditions in and around refugee camps can be very demanding, with limited access to essential services. A Drop in the Ocean supports displaced people with laundry services and distribution of non-food items (NFI). In addition, we contribute to capacity building in camps, helping strengthen services and improve everyday life for those forced to flee.
Partners
A Drop in the Ocean has an extensive network of partners across and outside Greece. Internationally we collaborate with several partners providing necessary material for activities and items for distributions. We collaborate with local partners such as fellow international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) to avoid duplication of services and to support their needs. Additionally, we work closely with Greek authorities and site management support actors who run the refugee camps in Greece.