Second Tree

Second Tree is a volunteer-run, Greek non-profit organisation supporting refugees in Northern Greece, based in Ioannina. It was founded in 2017 by volunteers that had worked together in Katsikas refugee camp. We now operate at two sites: Katsikas refugee camp and Agia Eleni refugee accommodation site, serving refugees from 24 countries, primarily Afghani, Syrian, and Somali.

Our work is underpinned by a core ethos: to treat refugees as the people they are and overcome victimisation, romanticisation and stereotyping. Refugees should be treated with CARE: as Capable, Accountable, Reasonable - in one word Equal - individuals.

Our Refugee Youth programme is designed to help children develop cognitive and social-emotional skills, thereby enabling them to integrate more effectively into their new communities. For adults, our language programmes focus on equipping refugees with essential communication skills, which empowers them to regain their agency and actively engage in society. We participate in international projects and we provide specialised training to help refugees become advocates, while also offering training for decision-makers and NGOs to address biases and enhance their support for refugees.