Open Schools

At a time when investing in personal development opportunities was a luxury for many Athenians, there was even more need for safe, open public spaces in many neighborhoods. The Open Schools program was designed to convert school buildings, after dismissal, on holidays and on weekends, into vibrant community centers. The program offered a variety of free, targeted activities and workshops for all ages.

Examples included:

Language courses in Greek, English, Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish (1,315 participants)
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education (776 participants)
Job interview preparation (82 participants)
How to build a sustainable social enterprise (300 participants)

For its innovative and inclusive approach, in 2018 Athens Open Schools was included in the Council of Europe’s handbook on “Promoting Human Rights at the Local and Regional Level” as a best-practice example for promoting the smooth integration of refugee children.