We have four programmes directing all our activities:
- Community Empowerment Mobilisation
- Integration
- Non-formal Education
- Humanitarian Aid
Community Empowerment Mobilisation
The residents of the refugee camps in Greece have fled from war, terror, and persecution. These traumas are 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.
Our activities:
- Women’s Space
- Mother and baby area
- Youth Space
- Children’s activities
- Sports activities
- Art class
- Tailoring
- Maker’s Space
- Social space
- Health promotion
Integration
A Drop in the Ocean aims to support displaced persons’ integration in Greek society and improve their professional development. With increased knowledge about Greek society, 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. 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 from six months to 30 days. This has placed an enormous pressure on recognised refugees and many need extra support and guidance.
Our activities:
- Info Hub
- Interview preparation
- Employability support
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.
Our activities:
- English classes
- Greek classes
- Computer classes
Humanitarian Aid
Living conditions for people living in and outside refugee camps are rough, with poor or inadequate shelter, and limited access to health care and other basic services. A Drop in the Ocean works to ensure that displaced persons’ needs are met in a dignified manner. We assess the situation on each site and act according to demand. Our teams distribute and improve access to food, clothing, winter equipment, and hygiene items, and contribute to better health and well-being through activities both inside and outside refugee camps.
Our activities:
- Baby pack distribution
- Diaper distribution
- Food distribution
- Open access to hygiene and sexual and reproductive health items
- Seasonal clothes distribution
- Emergency response distributions
- Laundry services
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.