Lighthouse Relief

Since 2014, over 1.3 million people seeking refuge have arrived in Greece. After enduring arduous journeys, they face a long and complex asylum process that can take years to navigate. Many applications are ultimately denied, leaving people without access to essential services and increasingly vulnerable to human rights violations, including pushbacks. Even those granted protection face severe cuts to housing and financial assistance — critical resources for rebuilding life after displacement. While awaiting decisions, refugees and asylum seekers are housed in overcrowded, underfunded, and isolated camps, with limited access to work, education, or community connection — factors essential to mental wellbeing, financial independence, and self-determination. Lighthouse Relief began with shoreline emergency response on Lesvos in 2015 and has since expanded to offer emergency support in Athens and psychosocial programming for women, children, and youth in mainland camps.

Our Sport4Development programme encompasses three distinct sessions to offer psychosocial support through a trauma-informed approach. 1. Football sessions with young people from Ritsona Camp - Building resilience through sports by running training sessions in collaboration with a local self-organized Greek football club to help cope with stress and provide a healthy outlet for self-expression and confidence building. 2. Women and kids sessions at Sama Community Center - Connecting community through movement and creative activities. We enable a safe space for women and teenage girls to socialize while children engage in play designed for fun and learning. 3. Summer camp for families and children at Sama Community Center - Facilitating safe and inclusive recreation for children and their families. Our summer camp is offered three days a week. We provide snacks and lunch, play, sport, and social and wellness activities.