The main goal of the COMPASS project is to enhance the protection, well-being, and social inclusion of unaccompanied minors and young adults up to the age of 21. The project aims to achieve this by strengthening access to specialised psychosocial, educational, legal, and health-related services, supporting a smooth transition to adulthood, and promoting participation and agency among young people within protection structures.
Who benefits
The project primarily benefits:
- Unaccompanied minors residing in accommodation facilities, semi-independent living arrangements, or other child protection structures across Greece.
- Young adults up to 21 years old who entered the country as unaccompanied minors and are registered in the national protection system.
Indirect beneficiaries include professionals and staff working with unaccompanied minors, who receive training, clinical supervision, and methodological support to enhance the quality and effectiveness of services.
How it works
COMPASS operates through a coordinated set of services and actions implemented across Greece. Specialised Support Centres operate in five locations (Athens, Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Larissa, and Lesvos), offering psychosocial support, educational assistance, and vocational guidance. In parallel, the project provides medical escort and transportation services to facilitate access to healthcare services nationwide, particularly in cases requiring specialised treatment.
The project also invests in capacity building through training and clinical supervision for professionals working with unaccompanied minors. In addition, COMPASS promotes participation, networking, and awareness-raising through workshops, educational materials, and digital tools available in multiple languages, fostering democratic and inclusive community practices within accommodation structures.
- Start date
- 1 Jan 2024
- Project locations
- Greece
- Age and gender
- Children and youth
- Migration status
- Newcomers
- Topic
- EU funding
Results
Key results of the project include the establishment and operation of five Specialised Support Centres across Greece, the delivery of systematic medical escort and accompaniment services, and improved access to psychosocial and health services for unaccompanied minors and young adults. The project has also contributed to strengthening professional capacity and developing participatory tools and multilingual informational material tailored to the needs of young people.
Evaluation
The COMPASS project does not currently include a formal evaluation. At this stage, the focus is placed on the continuous provision and operation of services through the Specialised Support Centres. Emphasis is given to ensuring that services remain available, accessible, and responsive to the needs of unaccompanied minors and young adults.
Funding and resources
The COMPASS project is funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) under the Greece Programme. It is implemented through a multi-stakeholder partnership involving public authorities and civil society organisations, coordinated by SYNYPARXIS – Ecumenical Refugee Program, with the participation of several specialised organisations like Lesvos Civil Non-Profit Company “ILIAKTIDA”, SOS Children’s Villages Greece, ZEUXIS NGO, European Expression “E.K.P.E.TH.E.” and Solidarity Now.