In 2024, Velos Youth, Action for Women and Mazí Housing came together to form The Canopy Collective – a new collaboration that addresses the escalating gaps in services for young refugees and asylum seekers in Athens. This unique partnership is built on shared values, practices and a deep commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and meaningful involvement of young people in shaping a more just and equitable society.
At its core, The Canopy Collective offers a holistic integration program, placing young people’s wellbeing and individual needs at the center of everything we do. Our services are person-centered and flexible, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the young people we serve. We work together to provide comprehensive support that empowers young refugees and asylum seekers aged 18-30, helping them achieve stability, independence, and the confidence to advocate for themselves and their communities.
What We Do
Our integrated approach ensures that young people have access to a full range of services that address their immediate and long-term needs. These services are delivered through a shared case management system, which ensures coordinated and effective support.
We ensure young people are:
- Provided with safe and stable housing
- Supported with high-quality legal representation to attain asylum status and claim their rights
- Connected to non-exploitative employment, education and language learning opportunities
- Guided to open bank accounts and navigate Greek bureaucracy
- Supported in building psychosocial wellbeing, identity and self-esteem through gender-specific safe spaces and recreational activities
Our Vision
- Holistic support and community: To become the leading provider of holistic services for young refugees and asylum seekers in Athens, creating a supportive community that places their needs and wellbeing at the forefront.
- Empowerment and advocacy: To amplify the voices of young refugees and asylum seekers, equipping them to become active agents of change in their communities and in the broader policy landscape.
Together, we strive to create a more inclusive, person-centered system that ensures young people are not only supported but empowered to thrive.
Routes & Roots: Creating Pathways to Education and Employment
Routes & Roots is an initiative developed by Canopy Collective to support young refugees in accessing vocational and higher education opportunities. The programme was created in response to the limited educational and professional pathways available to many young people with refugee backgrounds, with the aim of helping them develop new skills, qualifications, and career opportunities.
Through Routes & Roots, Velos Youth works to connect young people with educational institutions and supporters who can help make further education financially accessible. The initiative recognises that access to education can play an important role in strengthening independence, expanding employment opportunities, and supporting the long-term integration of young refugees into their communities.
A key partnership within the programme is with IEK Delta, a vocational education institution in Greece. IEK Delta has generously offered Velos Youth a 60% discount on tuition fees for young people who speak Greek and are interested in pursuing studies in one of its vocational fields. The institution has also demonstrated flexibility and understanding towards the particular circumstances and challenges that young refugees may face during their studies.
The programme’s first major support came from Hamrah, a donor group based in Switzerland, which sponsors two young people each year to attend IEK Delta and complete a vocational diploma. In addition, private donations have enabled Velos Youth to support one further student each year.
Through these opportunities, young people can access recognised vocational training, develop professional skills, and work towards greater independence and sustainable employment.
Routes & Roots reflects the belief that young people with refugee backgrounds should have access to the same educational opportunities as others, regardless of their circumstances. With appropriate financial support and guidance, they are able to pursue their ambitions, build confidence, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
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