Working in close cooperation with national authorities, international organizations, and partners, Vela Greece delivers child protection programmes across Greece, operating within Reception and Identification Centres (RICs) and Controlled Access Facilities for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Seekers (CAFTAAS).
Vela Greece’s child protection response in Greece has developed progressively, ensuring continuity of care for unaccompanied children across multiple locations.
Operations at the Malakasa Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) began in March 2024 with private funding, providing immediate protection services to unaccompanied children upon arrival. Shortly thereafter, Malakasa was integrated into the MERIMNA III programme, strengthening and formalising the provision of child protection services.
In May 2025, Vela Greece expanded its activities to Drama, where child protection services initially commenced with private funding. Subsequently, Malakasa joined the MERIMNA IV programme in April 2025, followed by Drama in September 2025, ensuring the continuation and expansion of structured protection interventions under the MERIMNA programme which was implemented by the International Organization for Migration IOM Greece with the support of the Czech Republic.
In October 2025, Vela Greece further extended its presence with the launch of child protection services in Kavala. Since 15 October 2025, Vela Greece’s Child Protection Teams have been operating at the Malakasa Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) and at the Controlled Access Facilities for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Seekers (CAFTAAS) in Drama and Kavala, within the framework of the project “Strengthening protection systems for children and women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection residing in Greece.” The project is implemented by IOM Greece and funded by the National Development Programme for the Programming Period 2021–2025, through the Special Service for the Coordination and Management of Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Vela Greece operates Safe Areas and Safe Zones in Malakasa, Drama, and Kavala, providing immediate protection and holistic support to unaccompanied minors. These child-friendly spaces are designed to ensure safety, dignity, and stability for children who have experienced displacement.
Vela Greece delivers a comprehensive range of services, including child protection case management, Best Interest Assessments, psychosocial support, legal information and counselling, non-formal education, and support for access to formal education. Particular emphasis is placed on mental health and psychosocial well-being, access to reliable information on rights and asylum procedures, and the development of life skills that foster resilience and autonomy. In addition, Vela Greece supports children’s access to healthcare through referrals, accompaniment to public health services.
The organization invests in staff training, strong coordination mechanisms, and quality assurance processes, ensuring that high child protection standards are consistently upheld.
Despite operating in a challenging environment Vela Greece remains committed to safeguarding the rights and best interests of every child. Through sustained field presence, close collaboration with stakeholders, and a child-centred approach, Vela Greece contributes to strengthening the national protection system for unaccompanied minors in Greece and to building safer pathways toward recovery and inclusion.
