Strengthening Collaboration and Accompaniment: Visit to JRS Greece

From 27 to 29 April, Alberto Ares SJ, Regional Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Europe, together with Christoph Klotz, visited JRS Greece in Athens to meet with the team, strengthen collaboration across the network, and witness firsthand the ongoing work accompanying refugees, migrants, and vulnerable communities.

The visit offered an opportunity to engage with the different dimensions of JRS Greece’s mission and to meet staff members, volunteers, Jesuit community members, and partners involved in the organisation’s work. Throughout the visit, particular attention was given to the strong sense of collaboration and shared purpose that characterises JRS Greece across its various programmes and activities.

During their time in Athens, Alberto Ares and Christoph Klotz visited the different programmes carried out by JRS Greece, including the Women’s Day Center, the Welcome Center, Magistories, Magazi, and the Pedro Arrupe Center. Together, these initiatives reflect a broad and integrated response to the needs of people on the move, combining education, accompaniment, community building, and social support.

The occasion also highlighted the importance of teamwork, volunteer engagement, and shared decision making in sustaining the mission of JRS Greece. Meetings and exchanges with staff and volunteers created space to reflect on the importance of maintaining a healthy and supportive working environment while continuing to strengthen collaboration across programmes and activities.

We would like to congratulate the Pedro Arrupe Centre, as this year marks a special occasion for them: the celebration of their 15th anniversary. Over the past fifteen years, the centre has become an important space for education and accompaniment for children, young people, and families facing vulnerable situations in Athens. The anniversary served as an opportunity to recognise the dedication and perseverance of the team and the wider Jesuit community supporting the mission.

The visit also included meetings focused on future collaboration and sustainability. Christoph Klotz supported discussions related to fundraising and partnership development, underlining the importance of connecting programmatic work, communication, and resource development in order to strengthen the long-term impact of the mission. Among the meetings organised during the visit was an exchange with representatives connected to ICMC and expertise related to AMIF funding opportunities. The days concluded with gratitude for the dedication and commitment of the JRS Greece team, as well as encouragement to continue building a mission rooted in accompaniment, collaboration, and hope.