SIRA Project in
Karditsa, Greece
NUTS ID: EL611 | NUTS LEVEL: 3 | Urban-rural classification: Predominantly rural | Data on Karditsa regional unit
Our multi-stakeholder regional platform is composed of
International organisations (ex. IOM Greece, DRC Thessaly)
Local authorities (ex. Community Centres of Karditsa and Mouzaki municipalities)
Migrant/refugee-led associations (ex. Greek Forum of Refugees)
Activities
In addition to facilitating needs-driven training, four regional multistakeholder roundtables will be organised in Karditsa to encourage participation and cooperation between local actors in the field of orientation/integration for newcomers as well as to:
Map ongoing orientation actions for newcomers within the region, including how such actions are funded
Identify gaps in current provision and map the assets and capacities that could support actions to address them, with a specific focus on the active role of local communities
Assess existing national, regional and/or local welcome and integration strategies and policies
Regional cooperation platform for migrant & refugee integration in Karditsa
Pilot Action
We believe that local communities are at the heart of creating welcoming environments in which newcomers can settle and thrive. Under the Share SIRA project, our 10 selected pilot actions will run during 10 months and put communities at the centre of innovative activities and initiatives to support the social orientation and early integration needs of newcomers living in rural areas. They will touch upon a wide range of themes and approaches including: access to banking services, access to mental and reproductive health, access to the labour market, mentorship, entrepreneurship, language acquisition, and intercultural exchanges with the local community through sports, cultural activities, outings, gastronomy and farming.
Adaptation of a website, web banking and creation of information points with QR code to facilitate accessibility of refugees and migrants, implemented by the Karditsa Cooperative Bank
Location: The action will be implemented at the Bank Headquarters in Karditsa. However, due to the nature of the action and the availability of online services, access to refugees and migrants countrywide will be enabled.
Publications and useful materials
Share resource
Share Network (2021), "Promoting inclusion for all in a rural area in Central Greece", interview with Vasilios Tsiakos, Mayor of Karditsa.
External resources
Stavros Malichudis, “Greece will regret not making use of our potential”, SOLOMON.
UNHCR, Video 1 and Video 2. Refugees and asylum seekers living in the city of Karditsa in difficult times reciprocated the help they found from the locals.
ANKA (2018) Video. Arabic Dances at the events of the 51st International Festival of Culture Karaiskakeia.