UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, as part of its regular programming, conducted an annual Participatory Assessment (PA) in Greece by undertaking series of Focus Group Discussions with asylum-seekers, recognized refugees and other persons benefiting international protection in order to have an opportunity for UNHCR and others working with refugees to assess the existing humanitarian programmes and adjust future initiatives as well as advocacy interventions
by hearing their voices and recommendations.
In 2022, UNHCR, together with the Greek authorities, IOM and NGO partners, focused on refugees and asylum-seekers with specific needs across the country. The Athens Development and. Destination Management Agency of the City of Athens – EATA contributed, among other public bodies and civil society organizations, to the implementation of the Participatory Assessment through the program “Disabilities Inclusive Project – Provision of targeted support and assistance to asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection with disabilities”, which is implemented in partnership with in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Greece.
The exercise was conducted from 1 October to 31 December 2022. In total, 161 asylum-seekers and refugees with specific needs, namely older persons, people living with disabilities and people who selfidentified as LGBTQI+, residing in the Closed and Controlled Access Centres (CCACs) on the islands, sites and urban areas in mainland, participated in the discussions. Intersectionality (overlap of several specific needs) was observed across 16% of participants, suggesting even higher protection risks experienced by these groups.
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