JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE EUROPE

JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE EUROPE

JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE - HELLAS

Athens, Greece


⭐️ Activity Title

EMBRACE


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🔷 Activity Details

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.


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🔑 Key Information

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

🔗 Official Project Page

https://youth.europa.eu/solidarity/opportunity/53275_en


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⚠️ Important Notice

1️⃣ Source of Information

This announcement has been prepared based on the information provided by the source.

2️⃣ No Affiliation

YouthWorks Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the projects listed. All applications must be submitted directly to the project coordinator or hosting organisation through the original link, email, etc.

3️⃣ Content May Change

The project coordinator is solely responsible for the accuracy and details of the opportunity. Deadlines, eligible countries, activity dates, and other details may change, or the announcement may be withdrawn entirely, at any time after publication. Always check the original link before applying.



4️⃣ Funding

All funding, travel reimbursements, and allowances are determined and provided by the project coordinator or National Agency. YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for any payments or financial matters.

5️⃣ External Links

Listings may contain links to third-party websites, forms, or documents (e.g. the ESC Portal, infopacks, application forms). YouthWorks Hub is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or security of these external sources.

💡 Final Note: All listings are shared for informational purposes only. Please always verify details directly through the official project coordinator or programme website before applying.