On Tuesday, July 2nd, after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with METAdrasi and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Municipality of Piraeus became a member of a wider cooperation through the programme “Together in Sport – Phase II”.

Through this initiative, the Municipality participates and contributes substantially to this important effort that seeks to bring together refugee children and children of the local community of Piraeus through the various sport and cultural activities of the project. Furthermore, the project aims to train public and private sector employees on child protection issues and to engage the public on critical social issues such as climate change, internet safety, and gender violence.

“Together in Sport – Phase II” is implemented by METAdrasi, as project coordinator, in cooperation with the Hellenic Olympic Committee and with the support of the German Olympic Sports Confederation. It is co-funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of Germany and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

“We have sealed an interesting tripartite agreement with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the Municipality of Piraeus, the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and METAdrasi. This agreement focuses on implementing sports and cultural activities designed to unite refugee children with the local children of our city. We have already begun preparatory work with the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Sustainable Development, Dimitris Karidis. This includes contacting schools and presenting our plans to the Council for the Integration of Migrants and Refugees. Piraeus is always open to educational, recreational, and sports programmes that provide valuable opportunities for children and adults, helping them stay informed and educated on various current issues. Such initiatives greatly facilitate the coexistence and integration of refugees into the local community. I would like to thank the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos, and METAdrasi for our constructive cooperation,” stressed the Mayor of Piraeus, Yannis Moralis.

“From the Piraeus City Hall, we are sending an important message: Sport is one of the most successful tools for social cohesion and inclusion. Let us prove in practice, through our actions and cooperation, that sport is a great tool for unity and solidarity,” said the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Capralos.

“I am particularly glad that such an important municipality like Piraeus is participating in our project. This involvement allows refugee and local children to benefit together, setting an example of coexistence through sport and culture,”  added METAdrasi’s President, Lora Pappa.

“Together in Sport-Phase II” is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), co-funded by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of Germany (BAMF) and the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (TAME – AMIF).