Press Release
December 12, 2023

With a memorable event held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, METAdrasi and the Hellenic Olympic Committee marked the official launch of the second phase of “Together in Sport”.

Emphasizing on the universal value of sports for social cohesion, METAdrasi’s President Lora Pappa, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) Spyros Kapralos, and the Secretary General of HOC Manolis Kolymbadis opened the event. Opening remarks were also extended by the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Sophia Voultepsi, the Secretary General of Sport of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Giorgos Mavrotas, and the Representative of the UNHCR in Greece, Maria Clara Martin, all highlighting the importance of an open society, one that actively incorporates activities to facilitate the smooth integration of refugee children.

The project “Together in Sport” has undoubtedly demonstrated that children do not discriminate among them, nor are biased in terms of gender, colour or religion. The 2021-2022 biennium witnessed over 9,000 children up to 18 years of age, refugees and children from local communities -comprising up to 50%- who actively participated in various sport activities across different locations in Greece, in Athens, Ioannina, Kavala, Drama, Lesvos, Piraeus, Schimatari and Thebes, fostering a message of friendship and mutual respect.

The substantial success of the project was acknowledged by the representatives of the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), both of whom spoke warmly about METAdrasi’s exemplary cooperation with the HOC, and local municipalities where “Together in Sport” was implemented. Representatives of municipalities and other cooperating institutions, including schools and refugee accommodation facilities, underlined the positive impact that the project had on local communities during its first phase of implementation.

In an emotional moment, METAdrasi’s President, together with the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, presented a commemorative gift to the late Moses Elisaf’s wife, the Mayor of Ioannina, who left an indelible mark on the city, enacting his vision for an open, just and respectful society.

Shortly before closing the event, and while receiving warm applause, the Hellenic Olympic Committee introduced volunteer coaches, Olympic and Paralympic medalists, who will be part of “Together in Sport-Phase II”.

The second phase of the project is already in progress, broadening its innovative activities: in addition to the rich cultural activities, “Together in Sport-Phase II” is ‘expanding’ to include, apart from children, young refugees, and Greeks up to 21 years of age. Importantly, it embraces children and young people with physical or mental disabilities. Over the next three years, “Together in Sport-Phase II” aims to further bridge differences, contributing to the shaping of a more open and inclusive society.

“Together in Sport-Phase II” will receive full support from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and in particular from the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection.

Τogether in Sport:
“Together in Sport”, initiated and co-funded by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, was implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator) in cooperation with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the German Olympic Sports Confederation, and the participation of municipalities all over Greece. The project was co-funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).

 Together in Sport-Phase II:
“Together in Sport-Phase II” represents the next stage of the project. It is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project again applied for co-funding from the AMIF (2021-2027). The action is carried out in cooperation with municipalities across various regions of Greece.