Khora

About us

KHORA is a humanitarian co-operative foundation based in Athens, Greece.
We are a self-organised collective of individuals who aim to work in a creative, flexible and non-dogmatic way. We are registered as a Greek co-operative. We are not an NGO, a charity or associated with government bodies.

We are a group of experienced volunteers who have been working for other organisations around Europe focusing on the provision of services for refugees. We are responding to this humanitarian crisis that is affecting those forced from their homes by war, poverty and climate change.
Khora was created by a collective of individuals who met on Lesvos while working with Skipchen and Better Days For Moria and decided to bring our skills together. As individuals we have been on the ground in Calais, Serbia, Lesvos and Athens since the refugee crisis escalated in 2015.

As a group our skill set and experience is wide ranging and includes international development, project management, mental health, support work, building and teaching. Together we possess the skills necessary for establishing successful and sustainable projects that help thousands of refugees living far away from their home countries.

Projects:
• Khora Community Centre: The Community Centre's aim is to facilitate shared ownership and active involvement by those who use the space and the local community, to create a space where people from a diverse set of backgrounds, cultures and languages can learn, work, create, socialise and relax. As well as to offering support, including but not limited to; food, dentistry, internet and computer access, information, legal support, education, a kids area, a women’s space, a carpentry and metal workshop and a safe space to spend the day.
• Khora's Free Shop: Khora's Free Shop aims to provide a dignified shopping experience for refugees, asylum seekers, and others in need in Athens, from clothing to toiletries.
• Legal Support: Khora Legal support is a team of volunteer caseworkers and interpreters who aim to fill the gap in information sharing and advocacy here in Athens. We run regular drop in sessions where we offer information and support to people navigating the Greek asylum system, as well as assistance to people trying to access other services in Athens, such as housing and health care. Our work ranges from accompanying people to asylum offices and hospitals, to arranging appointments with qualified lawyers, to keeping up to date with the rapidly changing information related to asylum and welfare in Greece, to running outreach and information sharing sessions in various locations.
• Info Point & Infomap: The Info Point & Infomap is an ongoing project with information to be shared between other groups within Athens and independent groups on 6 different islands. The idea is to have an online database for all of the support groups and areas within Athens for refugees.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.