A child protection policy that leads to integration
by Sofia Kouvelaki, Chief Executive Officer, The HOME Project
Greece, like many other European countries, is facing a dual challenge: demographic decline and a shortage of labor in key sectors of the economy such as tourism, agriculture, and construction. These shortages are not just statistical projections -they have already begun to affect the country’s competitiveness and development prospects. Equally urgent, though less visible, is the growing need to fill the widening gaps in elderly care, exacerbated by the aging population.
At the same time, thousands of people, including unaccompanied refugee children, are arriving in Greece in search of safety and protection. Rather than being viewed as a burden, these young people can -and must- be part of the solution.
We recognize the significant efforts made by the Prime Minister himself and the relevant Ministries over the past few years, particularly since 2019, to protect unaccompanied minors. For the first time, clear child protection standards were introduced, a dedicated General Secretariat was created, the National Guardianship System was established, and quality requirements for shelters were legislated. These are fundamental prerequisites for the implementation of a protection and integration policy for one of the most vulnerable groups of children and adolescents in the country.
However, despite these important steps forward, the putting into practice a fair child protection and integration policy, one that respects and adheres to the legal obligations binding our country under international law currently faces a multitude of political and institutional obstacles that hold us back.
The inhumane and unsuitable living conditions in Reception and Identification Centers across the Greek islands and the mainland, put children's safety and well-being at risk and violate their fundamental rights. Although the National Guardianship System has been established, it remains largely dysfunctional. The difficulty in accessing basic services, along with delays in asylum procedures, significantly impede the work of both the state and civil society organizations, while also undermining the progress that has been made so far.
Over the past eight years, The HOME Project has provided shelter, care, and comprehensive support to more than 1,400 unaccompanied children. Many of these children have now grown into young adults, active citizens, employees, and students who are thriving at universities in Greece and abroad. These young people consider Greece their home and want to contribute to its growth. 50% of our staff comes from the refugee and migrant community, and our experience to date has shown that when we invest in a holistic framework of support, education, and social inclusion, young refugees respond positively -not only do they integrate, they flourish.
The key elements of success include a solid child protection framework, hands-on and accelerated Greek language learning, partnerships with universities and technical schools that offer the necessary education and vocational training, and targeted synergies with employers to facilitate their entry into the job market.
The need to recognize the importance of refugee and asylum seeker integration is not unique to Greece. In Spain, the government has already regularized around one million people who had lived in the country for years without legal status, in order to meet labor market demands and address demographic decline. Similarly, in Italy -despite hostile rhetoric- residence permits have been granted to approximately 500,000 refugees and migrants to support sectors of the economy facing severe labor shortages. These examples show that behind tough, populist statements, more and more governments are recognizing the need for a practical and realistic approach to integration.
A particularly significant example is the initiative led by Ed Shapiro, one of The HOME Project’s key supporters, who funds innovative programs that train young refugees in countries like Kenya and Jordan and connect them with employers in Canada seeking skilled workers. These programs are now expanding into Europe, with pilot projects underway in Germany, Spain, and Italy.
The numbers speak for themselves: Greece is expected to need over 750,000 new workers by 2050. At the European level, that number exceeds 50 million. Instead of examining complex, expensive, and time-consuming strategies to import labor from third countries, we could harness the potential of the thousands of people already living among us.
If we stop seeing refugees as a threat and begin to view them as valuable and untapped human capital -a hidden opportunity- we can meet the recent labor market challenges, boost economic growth, and help foster a society of equal opportunities.
Refugee integration is not an act of charity. It is an investment in the social and economic prosperity of our country.
*This article was published in in Kathimerini newspaper on June 8th 2005.