LEGAL AID FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN GREECE

The project aims to maintain  A.Ss.I.S.T.'s legal services, aiding asylum seekers and refugees arriving in Greece from Turkey. Despite significant challenges, A.Ss.I.S.T. has made remarkable strides in providing crucial assistance to this vulnerable population.

A.Ss.I.S.T.'s project has generated substantial positive changes among asylum seekers and refugees in Greece, notably in four key areas:

1. Enhanced Access to Legal Aid and Information: The project's implementation led to a significant uptake in beneficiaries seeking critical legal aid and information services. This surge denotes a crucial breakthrough, allowing individuals to overcome the formidable obstacles inherent in navigating Greece's intricate and often daunting legal system. Our efforts have resulted in increased engagement, ensuring that more individuals receive free legal assistance, a service otherwise difficult to access.
2. Facilitating Informed Decision-Making: By furnishing comprehensive information about their rights, legal procedures, and the asylum process, beneficiaries acquire a deeper understanding, permitting informed decision-making, enabling them to actively participate in their asylum cases. Equipped with knowledge, they can effectively advocate for their rights and navigate legal complexities with greater confidence. Feedback from beneficiaries confirms this impact.
3. Continuous Holistic Support: A.Ss.I.S.T. emphasizes continuous, comprehensive legal aid. Beyond initial interviews or appeals, we extend support throughout subsequent applications and other legal queries that may arise during the asylum process. This sustained assistance positively impacts beneficiaries' mental well-being by mitigating the stress associated with legal uncertainties and prolonged waiting periods.
4. Facilitated Access to Wider Support Services: Leveraging strategic partnerships and a robust referral system, the project has expanded beneficiaries' access to a broad spectrum of essential support services. These encompass healthcare, education, housing, and psychosocial support, ensuring that beneficiaries receive comprehensive aid beyond legal assistance.

In summary, the observed changes signify substantial improvements in beneficiaries' capabilities to navigate the asylum process with informed decisions, essential legal advice, and an expanded network of support services. A.Ss.I.S.T.'s holistic approach not only positively impacts individual lives but also contributes significantly to fostering fairer and more equitable processes for asylum seekers and refugees in Greece.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Service Continuity: Despite overcrowding in Closed Controlled Access Centers (CCACs) due to a substantial influx of arrivals, from 01 July to 31 October 2023, our committed team offered free legal aid to over 619 individuals across Greece, handling 568 cases requiring interpreters fluent in 10 languages other than English and Greek. We actively supported appeals, consultations, and provided essential information for self-referrals or other service referrals to many others.

Adaptation and Innovation: Facing a funding setback, we swiftly redirected our focus to enhance information management. We upgraded our Questions & Answers database to maintain consistent client responses. Additionally, in October 2023, we adjusted by reducing new case intake, ensuring thorough completion of client applications in anticipation of potential service limitations.

 CHALLENGES FACED

Financial Setback: A critical funding shortfall from a donor's default substantially disrupted our operations. This unexpected situation demanded careful fund reallocation and consideration of potential service suspensions.

Operational Impediments: Overcrowding in CCACs, interpreter service gaps, and bureaucratic delays posed operational challenges in service delivery by Asylum Services, impacted on our ability to provide efficient service delivery.

FEEDBACK / CONTINUOUS LEARNING 

Gathering Feedback from Beneficiaries and Stakeholders:

A.Ss.I.S.T. diligently collects feedback from beneficiaries, Team members and stakeholders through various channels, including structured client feedback forms, client consultations and informal interactions via WhatsApp enquiry lines. Positive feedback examples often highlight the dedication and timely support received, citing instances where our legal team demonstrated care and commitment, empowering beneficiaries during their asylum process. Negative feedback, occasionally stemming from procedural misunderstanding or frustration due to delays, informs us of challenges faced by beneficiaries, such as limited understanding of legal procedures.

Utilizing Feedback to Inform Work Adjustments:

This feedback loop serves as a cornerstone for our continuous improvement strategy. Positive testimonials reaffirm our team's effectiveness, motivating and validating our approach. Negative feedback prompts crucial introspection, leading to procedural refinements and enhanced communication strategies. Adjustments include improving information dissemination on legal procedures and optimizing service efficiency. This feedback-driven approach ensures that our services align more closely with the specific needs and challenges faced by asylum seekers, fostering a more responsive and effective support system.

SUMMARY 

The overall project progressed smoothly. Our three lawyers worked consistently throughout the period.  Five volunteer/interns, each served at least three months, as Client Service Managers, contributing their knowledge and a set of skills related to their studies in fields relevant to our work. A.Ss.I.S.T. provides the opportunity to develop their knowledge of EU/Greek asylum law and practice and to hone their skills through the learning experience of working directly with experienced asylum lawyers, our interpreters/translators and beneficiaries and to understand well the challenges faced by our beneficiaries and all actors working with asylum seekers in Greece. With two-week induction and in-house training, all five slipped seamlessly into their roles and excelled in their performance.  Of the five CSM’s, four were French speakers who accepted the option to interpret for clients, an additional opportunity to understand more thoroughly the challenges faced by many of our beneficiaries. Our cohort of 14 on-call interpreters, recruited within the asylum seeker communities, also continued their service throughout the grant period.  Their lived experience of those who they are serve is often that which motivates them to serve their fellows.  Their contribution to the Team through cultural insights and feedback is invaluable to improving the knowledge base of the Team and thereby improving services.  

Links:

• A.Ss.I.S.T. THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT 2023