LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Phoenix NGO represents vulnerable persons, refugees or migrants through the legal and procedural asylum process, in cooperation with competent Greek and / or foreign authorities. Vulnerable persons, refugees or migrants can seek Phoenix NGOs assistance at any point in their path to a safe and stable life in Greece. 

This includes :

  • Applying for asylum in Greece
  • Applying for an appeal in case of a rejection
  • Appearing at the police station to collect necessary documents
  • Appearing at the courthouse to gather legal documents
  • Coordinate with local and foreign authorities to follow the evolution of cases
  • Monitoring the progress of refugee applications
  • Prepare for asylum interviews  
  • Gathering evidence for cases
    • Contact local and foreign authorities
    • Conduct research on country of origin
    • Direct and accompany to medical appointments
    • Prepare briefs in regards to an appeal

Without your support, Phoenix NGO can not inform and provide, at any stage of their application, free assistance in front of judicial or administrative authorities for those in need.

FAMILY REUNIFICATION

Phoenix NGO accompanies and guides individuals in family reunification, as these procedures demand precise transnational coordination, making it impossible for those in need to achieve on their own. 

This includes :

  • Multilateral cooperation with lawyers from other members of the family.
  • Transnational coordination and adapting to the laws and procedures of each country.
  • Translation of testimonies.
  • Gathering and translating evidence.
  • Applying for common housing.
  • Applying for legal travel documents.
  • Helping to make legal travel arrangements.
PROTECTION OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

Phoenix NGO’s mission is to safeguard the most vulnerable ; this includes unaccompanied minors. When reached out to, Phoenix NGO presents itself to the public prosecutor, who is until then the legal guardian of the unaccompanied minor, and receives the order granting the unaccompanied minor’s custody to the organization. From that point on, Phoenix NGO is responsible for the unaccompanied minor.

This includes :

  • Providing the unaccompanied minor with a lawyer.
  • Providing moral support and a sense of security.
  • Providing medical support and assistance, whether it be physical or psychological.
  • Finding adequate housing options, to guarantee a safe and secure environment.
  • Researching the unaccompanied minor family history, to seek family reunification.
  • Accompanying and preparing the unaccompanied minor throughout their legal processes.
  • Directing and assisting in educational training and employment opportunities. 
AFTERCARE SERVICES

Phoenix NGO supports and accompagnies victims of hardship including war, torture and violence. This is regardless of prosecution due to religion, gender, sexuality, political and ideological beliefs. 

This includes :

  • Medical assistance by connecting those in need with medical professionals whether it be physical or psychological assistance.
  • Housing by helping vulnerable persons, refugees or migrants find safe and stable options.
  • Social integration by promoting the active participation of vulnerable and socially excluded groups in the social, economic and cultural activities of Greek society.
  • Promoting cooperation with trusted civil society actors such as Non-Governmental Organizations, Development Agencies, Local Government Organizations, University Networks, State Agencies, physical and legal persons of all kinds, professional and business organizations.
  • Developing and implementing programs in key areas, including legal protection and protection of human rights, social care and welfare, and education and training of vulnerable or excluded groups, with the main purpose of better integration in the society and economy of Greece, respecting the equality of men and women and the laws of the state in which they live.
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

Phoenix NGO is convinced that meaningful change can not occur without education. This encompasses clarifying to asylum seekers their rights, informing local Greek citizens on the situation in the refugee camps and spreading awareness to the general public. To achieve these goals, Phoenix has several missions.

These include :

At the micro level

  • Informing asylum seekers on their rights and procedures.
  • Improving educational levels through actions of learning the Greek language, acquiring certificates of Greek language and the development of professional abilities and skills.
  • Provide lifelong learning and information services, and vocational and rehabilitation skills for migrants, refugees, deprived persons and other vulnerable social groups. The provision of services is through seminars, workshops, conferences ; these encompass both physical and digital training. 

At the local level

  • Train and specialize members and staff involved in programs or initiatives to support vulnerable people, especially refugees and migrants.
  • Develop and organize programs for cultural exchanges and educational trips, research and scientific action and exchange of young people, as well as exchanges with collective organizations promoting social, cultural, educational objectives generally similar to our organization goals.
  • Provide advice to Public Authorities and bodies to better serve migrants and refugees about their affairs.

At the federal level

  • Cooperate with collective authorities representing the classes and professional organizations that represent the potential of the country.
  • Implement actions under the authority of delegations and delegates or cooperating with other private, public, municipal, governmental and domestic and / or foreign authorities in the field of all procedures before the asylum and immigration services. 
  • Provide advisory and support services to Greek Public and Private Organizations with a view to better running development and humanitarian aid programs.

On the international level

  • Conduct presentations, seminars, lectures, educational talks on the refugee and migratory issue.
  • Promoting the idea of cooperation between NGOs both in the Greek Territory and within the countries of the European Union, the candidate countries, third countries, as well as their role in the provision of humanitarian, nutrition and development aid. 
  • Provide education, information and training to executives of Greek and foreign NGOs and to any kind of NGO who would like to specialize their executives in relation to the themes of: Development Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid, Cultural Mediation, Public Information and Cooperation with international organizations including the institutions of the European Union.
  • Raising awareness on the issues of migration and refugee phenomena for the Greek and international public. This shall be carried outthrough objective information which by consequence, will reduce racism and xenophobia.
  • Invite Professors of Law Schools, Social Workers, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Experts, members of similar organizations or associations abroad, for speeches, lectures, seminars, workshops, etc.

In the future, Phoenix NGO would like to 

  • Carry out analysis and research programs to outline the real needs of the economy and the absorption potential for asylum seekers in the labor market.
  • Carry out analysis and research programs to outline the realities of the refugee crisis and to promote its response.
  • Develop studies and undertake development initiatives to create employment opportunities for weaker population groups such as refugees and asylum seekers (e.g. young people, women, unaccompanied minors). This includes organizing a Greek language education program and others as such to promote social inclusion and integration.
INTERNSHIPS

Phoenix NGO believes that younger generations must be an integral part of the response to the refugee crisis. 

For this reason, Phoenix has created internship programs for international students dedicated to human right protection. During these internships, students and volunteers are educated on the Greek asylum law, trained to navigate the legal asylum procedure and learn how to defend a case in court. Interns are given responsibilities ranging from interpretation and translation, research on countries of origin, evidence gathering and case management. 

Since its creation in December 2017, Phoenix NGO has hosted students from Sciences Po Paris and the New School University of New York. 

If you seek to apply for an internship at Phoenix NGO please