EMBRACE
JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE EUROPE
JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE - HELLAS
Athens, Greece
Description
The JRS Greece volunteer program offers an opportunity to young volunteers from Belgium to make a meaningful impact in the lives of urban asylum seekers and refugees in Athens GREECE. Volunteers will work primarily in the 5 Centres of JRS Greece around in the neighbourhood around Victoria Square, where JRS Greece runs projects designed to support newly arrived refugees and migrants on their path towards integration and self-sufficiency. Volunteers will be involved in various initiatives aimed at facilitating social inclusion, education, and empowerment, including working at our social integration centres, supporting women, youth and children, and assisting in the distribution of essential goods to vulnerable communities through our Free-Shop. This hands-on experience provides volunteers with the chance to work directly with people from diverse backgrounds while learning about the challenges faced by refugees and migrants in Greece. Volunteers´stay may range from 2 to 12 months.
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
JRS Greece ESC program will support for Travel arrangements (including briefing on insurance, transport upon arrival in Athens). At date of arrival, welcome and reception by Volunteer Coordinator at JRS Greece office. Accommodation will be provided in the JRS community where we host a volunteer team from various countries, or individually with the support of JRS Greece. Volunteers sign a contract, involving the sending organisation JRS Europe in Brussels and JRS Greece in Athens. The volunteer receives a monthly stipend, which covers pocket money, accommodation, food and local transport.
Training during the activity
JRS provides training to the volunteer at the start of the program. Training covers key topics like: understanding the refugee situation in Greece, working in a cross-cultural environment, best practices for supporting vulnerable groups in activities such as: Registration of beneficiaries and arranging appointments; Giving language lessons and workshops for women, youth and children. Offering music, arts or crafts classes. Welcoming refugees in our Day Centre. Ongoing support and guidance are provided throughout the volunteer's stay, includes regular meetings with a volunteer coordinator.
Participant profile
Between 18 and 29 years old (signing the volunteer agreement before your 30th birthday). From an eligible country of the ESC program, here: being based in Belgium before departure. Interest in working with refugees and people from diverse cultures. Willingness to speak and write in English (our working language is English); other European languages are welcome. Flexibility and willingness to learn about interpersonal skills when living and working in an international volunteer team. Previous experience in volunteering or solidarity action with refugees or vulnerable groups, or cross-cultural environments is an asset. Openness to learn and work in a multicultural environment, supporting JRS’s mission of accompaniment and service to marginalized groups.
Activity dates
A total of 24 week(s) during the period 01/06/2026 to 31/05/2028
Activity location
Smirnis 27, Athens, Greece
Activity type
Individual volunteering
Looking for participants from
Belgium
Activity topics
Reception and integration of refugees and migrants
Deadline for applications
No application deadline
Project code
2026-1-BE04-ESC51-VTJ-000401609