Strangers in a New Land: An Ethnography of Greek Asylum Seekers, Refugees and NGO Empowerment Initiatives

Over 60,000 refugees have been effectively trapped in Greece, with sealed borders and the Greek economic crisis leaving many with no way out and no options for a life outside the refugee camps. The European Union's lack of systemic policy change has left the fate of many refugees to non-profit relief agencies, city governments, and officials working to create community-based solutions. The researcher aimed to gain an insider perspective on the operations of local organizations working with refugee populations in Athens, Greece. The objectives of the research included developing ethical research practices, becoming familiarized with potential sources, building rapport with local organizations and their clients, and identifying individuals from each group to participate in research. The researcher conducted formal and informal interviews and meetings with key stakeholders, as well as participated in selected events and forums to understand the way government and community groups coordinate services and share information. The research focused on two main questions: institutional level and individual rights actors. The institutional level question examined the degree to which agency and empowerment factor into the goals and priorities of organizations working with refugee populations and asylum seekers. The individual rights actors question explored how volunteers and employees of these organizations perceive the role of agency and empowerment in their work and how different perceptions of agency and empowerment might be significant more broadly. The research logic model identified the purpose of examining the services and resources being offered to migrants and refugees in Athens, how resources are shared, and examining empowerment programs targeted to refugee populations. The model also identified stakeholders in the community that provide services to migrants and refugees, built rapport and credibility with stakeholders, observed organizations' approach in working with clients, and gained insight on what services are available to assist immigrants and refugees in integration efforts. Initial research findings highlighted the Athens Partnership's unique approach to organizing social programs, which has resulted in the creation of a comprehensive online resource sharing platform for service providers. However, the research also identified a significant gap in services, with certain demographics of migrants being prioritized over others. Syrian refugees, in particular, were often overlooked due to their lack of assertiveness in requesting services and discrimination by other migrant ethnic groups. The researcher faced several barriers to research, including a lack of cooperation from host institutions, difficulty in being taken seriously by other organizations due to the length of time in the country, and limited access to solidarity groups that focus their work in the traditionally anarchist neighborhood of Exarcheia. Despite these challenges, the research provided valuable insights into the operations of local organizations working with refugee populations and asylum seekers in Athens, Greece.