Monthly Report: Paréa Lesvos April 2025
- Joaquin O'Ryan
- May 15
- 4 min read
Check out our monthly project update for April 2025 at Paréa Lesvos
The word ‘paréa’ in Greek means “company, circle of friends”: everyone is welcome in Paréa!
Located within walking distance from the CCAC (Closed and Controlled Access Camp) on Lesvos, our community center Paréa Lesvos offers a safe space where people on the move, locals and internationals can meet and spend time in a peaceful and welcoming environment.
Paréa is run by Europe Cares responsible for the safety, major facility costs, maintenance and development of the center. It is also a home to another 10 civil society organisations: Artists Giving Back, Boat Refugee Foundation, Collective Aid, Leave No One Behind, Makerspace Lesvos, Refocus Media Labs, Refugee Relief Doro Blancke, Sporos Regeneration Institute, TerraPsy, and Yoga and Sport with Refugees. In a time of high political uncertainty and constant withdrawal of support and international attention from Lesvos, our network of partner organisations joined forces to offer people on the move a wide range of services including food and NFI distributions, legal and psychosocial support, education and social care activities. But first and foremost, we offer a sense of community and belonging.
We are one community in solidarity. Will you join us?
View of Mavrovouni Camp from Paréa Lesvos
LESVOS UPDATES
From 31 March to 4 May 2025, there were 302 arrivals at Lesvos in total, while 15 departed within the same period*, bringing the camp population to 1,614. Meanwhile, 7 pushback cases** were reported in the Aegean Sea, involving 177 children, women, and men who attempted to reach safety in Europe.
The Greek Ministry of Migration has issued a new directive: shelters must evict anyone whose asylum process has come to an end—whether their claim was approved or rejected. This decision affects recognized refugees, rejected asylum seekers, families, and children. Only those officially identified as vulnerable will be allowed to stay. Many of the people impacted have spent months, even years, living in these shelters—rebuilding their lives, sending their children to school, working, or simply waiting for the support they need to move forward. Evicting people without offering support doesn't end displacement — it only deepens hardship and instability. The Greek government and the EU, must stop these evictions until long-term housing and integration solutions are in place.
There’s an effort to secure retroactive payments for people who qualified for cash assistance but didn’t receive it—including recognized refugees; unfortunately the likelihood of this initiative to be successful is very low. New arrivals must now register for support as soon as they arrive. A one-time payment is still possible for those who signed up in time. Cash assistance payments are being prepared for people who registered as asylum seekers in July and August 2024. We should notice here that he last round of payments, covering support up to June 2024, was issued in October.
After the winter has ended, and with fewer people in the camp, the water for the showers is warmer and easier to manage. The camp management focus is on reconstruction and winterization—particularly WCs and showers, while NGOs allowed to work in the camp are distributing hygiene kits to the residents.
____________________
*UNHCR / **Aegean Boat Report
APRIL IN NUMBERS
Highlight of the month
To mark the third anniversary of Paréa, a party was scheduled in the centre to celebrate. With the support of our Partners, we organised an unforgettable event with over 300 people joining in on the festivities. The activities on the day included face painting, a movie screening, recycling workshops with a local artist, and lots of dancing! A tasty lunch was prepared by a local Syrian restaurant. The day was full of laughter and was an amazing moment to celebrate the people of Paréa.
Faces of Paréa
I really like this intimate place because its good staff creates a more beautiful and sincere human interaction and behavior. On this occasion, I sincerely thank the management team of the PAREA organization and hope they are always successful. Abdul - From Afghanistan
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Meet our partner: MakerSpace
Our partner organisation MakerSpace is dedicated to repairing electronics and bicycles, as well as offering carpentry and other technical services in Paréa. They also support People on the Move through renovating safe houses in the city centre, with the NGO Welcome Office, creating secure, dignified spaces for those rebuilding their lives.
MakerSpace provide essential services which enable independence for individuals. MakerSpace also provides technical assistance to Partner organisations, enabling them to operate their projects more effectively.
Welcome to our space: Main Hall
The Main Hall is the heart of our community center and hosts a variety of organisations and services. A gaming zone, a library, a sewing station, a hygiene shop and a clothes distribution area are located in the Main Hall. Displayed information about current activities and services keeps visitors well-informed and enables them to participate in the various projects offered by different organisations on the island.
Apart from the offered activities, the Main Hall provides protection from the harsh weather conditions throughout the year. Overall, it serves as a vital hub for our community, fostering a welcoming and engaging environment for everyone.
Comments