WHO WE ARE
METAdrasi – Action for Migration and Development, is a Greek NGO founded in 2010 that focuses on services not covered by the Public Authorities or other NGOs in Greece and is the only organization that retains a permanent front-line presence in all key entry and exit locations. METAdrasi operates mainly in the following two sectors, interpretation services and the protection of unaccompanied children.
It offers specially trained interpreters in 43 languages and dialects to provide vital communication with refugees, legal support, and certification of victims of torture. It also escorts unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) from border detention centers to appropriate accommodation facilities throughout Greece and operates Transit Accommodation Facilities for UASC. Our work includes two innovative activities that have been implemented for the first time in Greece: Guardianship and placement of children in foster families.
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 March 2019: METAdrasi has provided interpretation services for approximately 1,343,900 cases, specifically for the asylum services authorities (Police Directorate and Sub-directorates of Asylum Services Offices).
2015-2019
METAdrasi opened Transit Accommodation Facilities for unaccompanied and separated children to minimize, and ideally, eliminate the time spent in juvenile detention centers.
December 2015: Lesvos Facility
April 2016: Samos Facility
June 2016: Chios Facility
August 2016: Athens Facility
To date, the three facilities have hosted more than 390 children, aged between 8-14 years old.
MISSION
PRINCIPLES
DISTINCTIONS
- 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.
- THI Leadership Award 2016 from the Hellenic Initiative to METAdrasi’s president Lora Pappa for the outstanding contribution.
- 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” decoration by the French state to METAdrasi’s president Lora Pappa for her social contribution and exceptional work.