WHO WE ARE
METAdrasi was founded in December 2009 with the mission to facilitate the reception and integration of refugees and migrants in Greece. Believing that migration leads to development, METAdrasi is determined to uphold and protect the fundamental human rights of all those displaced and persecuted through innovative interventions. The name of ΜΕΤΑdrasi was coined by the synthesis of the Greek words “meta”+“drasi” (meaning: and then? + action) and encapsulates our purpose and philosophy.
Guided by the principles of consistency, efficiency, transparency and flexibility to adjust to needs as they emerge, METAdrasi is active in the following key areas:
• The provision of quality interpretation, enabling vital communication with refugees and migrants through the deployment of over 350 interpreters, trained and certified by METAdrasi in 43 languages and dialects – an activity that lies at the heart of any effective provision of humanitarian support;
• The protection of unaccompanied and separated children, through a comprehensive safety net of activities including accommodation facilities, escorting from precarious conditions to safe spaces and the pioneering activities of guardianship, foster families and supported independent living;
• The protection and support of other vulnerable groups through the provision of legal aid to asylum seekers, certification of victims of torture and deployment of humanitarian aid wherever needed;
• The education and integration of refugees and migrants through educational programmes, Greek language lessons, multilingual support guides and remedial education for children that enables access to the right to education, as well as soft-skills training, traineeship opportunities and work placements.
2010-2019
METAdrasi has been collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as well as other Greek and European Institutions since June 2010, in areas related to international protection (asylum procedure, information on the right to asylum, etc.).
March 2011 to December 2019: METAdrasi has provided interpretation services for approximately 1,549,000 cases, specifically for the Asylum services.
Safety Net for Unaccompanied Children
Innovating on a national and European level, METAdrasi developed a unique comprehensive safety net for unaccompanied children, including:
Escorting Missions: since 2011
Guardianship: since 2011
Foster Care: since 2015
Transit Accommodation Facilities: since 2015
Supported Independent Living: since 2018
2015-2019
METAdrasi opened Transit Accommodation Facilities for unaccompanied and separated children to minimize, and ideally, eliminate the time spent in detention centers.
December 2015: Lesvos Facility (Education Center today)
April 2016: Samos Facility
June 2016: Chios Facility
August 2016: Athens Facility
To date, these facilities have hosted more than 455 children, aged between 8-14 years old.
MISSION
PRINCIPLES
- Consistency, efficiency and adjustability to emerging needs
- Respect for human rights, national and international law
- The promotion of a comprehensive system for the management of refugee flows, safeguarding social sustainability
- The implementation of innovative activities to address critical and long-standing problems
DISTINCTIONS
- Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize 2019 – METAdrasi is honoured with the world’s largest annual humanitarian prize, for its innovative approach to welcoming refugees and protecting unaccompanied children.
- The North-South Prize 2015 of the Council of Europe awarded to the co-founder & president of METAdrasi Lora Pappa, for the outstanding work in promoting solidarity, democracy and human rights.
- PILnet’s European Pro Bono Awards 2016: first prize in the category “Award for Exemplary Partnership in the Public Interest” for METAdrasi’s cooperation with the American law firm Reed Smith for offering free legal assistance to beneficiaries of international protection in Greece.
- Collective Action Award “Models of Excellence 2017” by the “Citizen’s Movement for an Open Society” for METAdrasi’s significant volunteer work.
- The “NGO of the Year” award in the category “Society” at “The Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2018″ for the proven innovative work, with strong social impact, as well as the continuous commitment and efficiency, with measurable results.
- “Legion of Honour” 2017 decoration by the French state to METAdrasi’s president Lora Pappa for her social contribution and exceptional work.
- THI Leadership Award 2016 from the Hellenic Initiative to METAdrasi’s president Lora Pappa for the outstanding contribution.
METADRASI'S PRESIDENT
Her professional experience includes cooperation with Greek organizations and entities, such as the National Youth Foundation under the Ministry of Education, as well as working for seven years at the UNHCR. While at the National Youth Foundation, she piloted and established the first Reception Centre for Unaccompanied Minors in Greece (2000), in Anogia of Crete, which is acknowledged as a model facility due to the services provision and the successful prospect of integration of children into the local society. Seeing the gaps in the coverage of basic needs of refugees and especially unaccompanied children, she founded in December 2009 METAdrasi in order to promote innovative and practical solutions.
In 2015, Lora Pappa was awarded the North South Prize of the Council of Europe for her outstanding dedication in promoting solidarity, human rights and democracy. The prize was awarded by the President of the Republic of Portugal, in a ceremony that took part in Lisbon in 2016. In 2016 she was honoured with the first ever Alumna of the Year Award by the Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales et du Développement (IHEID) for her notable accomplishments in her field. In 2017, she was awarded the “Legion of Honour” decoration by the French state for her social contribution and exceptional work.
Credits: Fill in the Gap / Vasilis Kouroupis
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vasiliki Alexopoulou holds a Degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Athens, while she has dedicated a great part of her professional life to research and writing of handbooks on education and economics. She has had an extensive career in the Greek civil service, where she had been heading the Directorate of Quality and Efficiency, Documentation and Best Practices, focusing on issues pertaining to the measurement of quality, efficiency and effectiveness of public organizations.