Psychosocial Support For Displaced Women In Greece

Dear friends and supporters,

2026 marks a special milestone for us: 10 years of SAO Association. What began as a small initiative has grown into a professional organisation dedicated to supporting displaced women in Greece.

How it all began
In 2015, our founder Raquel Herzog travelled to Lesbos to volunteer and provide emergency aid to arriving boat refugees during the peak of the European refugee crisis. Witnessing the immense challenges faced by people arriving on the island, and especially the vulnerability of women and mothers, she decided to continue supporting those affected. In February 2016, this commitment led to the founding of SAO Association.

From emergency response to long-term support
During its early months, SAO focused on humanitarian relief. In 2016, the organisation operated what was then the largest public warehouse for donated aid supplies in Greece, distributing essential supplies to refugees, camps, and other NGOs across the country. While distributing aid supplies in the Moria refugee camp, SAO repeatedly spoke with women and it became clear that the camp was in no way equipped to meet the specific needs of women: appalling sanitary conditions, lack of security, and disrupted sleep were the main problems. The women longed for a safe space accessible only to women, a place where they could shower safely and find someone to listen to their concerns.

Creating safe spaces for women
To respond to this need, SAO decided to focus its work entirely on displaced women and opened two specialised Day Centres:

• The Bashira Centre in Mytilene on Lesbos (2017)
• The Amina Centre in Athens (2018)

These Day Centres offer a safe environment where women and mothers can access psychosocial counselling, practical assistance, workshops, language courses, and community support. The programmes are designed to empower women, strengthen their resilience, and support them on their path toward independence and participation in society. For many women, these Day Centres are much more than service points. They are places where they can regain dignity, rebuild confidence, and connect with others who share similar experiences. 

Supporting futures: Back on Track
In 2019, SAO launched the „Back on Track“-programme, supporting displaced women in strengthening their employability and on their way to achieving a vocational skill or higher education. Through mentoring, skill-building, and support with navigating systems in Greece, the programme aims to create long-term opportunities for autonomy and integration.

A decade made possible by solidarity
Looking back over the past ten years, one thing is clear: SAO is not just an organisation, it is a community. Staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters have made it possible for SAO to operate its two Day Centres. Together, we have built spaces where displaced women get support, can rest, learn, connect, and imagine a future again.

Thank you for being part of this journey.
As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we also look forward. The challenges displaced women are facing remain immense but with your support, SAO will continue working toward a world where every woman has the chance to live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

All the best,

Zoé Roth

Dear friends and supporters,

In 2025, the two Day Centres run by SAO Association continue to be actively sought out by women who have fled their countries. Demand for trauma-oriented psychosocial services remains high, and existing clients visit the Day Centres regularly to access the services. Services offered as part of the "Back on Track"-programme, which focuses on the inclusion process of our clients into society and aims to help them secure an independent livelihood and strengthen their employability, are also popular with clients. It is clear that our services and our specialists are valued by our clients.

Unfortunately, however, we are currently also confronted with a fragile situation in the fields of international development cooperation and humanitarian aid. Global political uncertainties and the general decline in state and public funding are putting both large and small organisations under considerable pressure. Competition for foundation funds is stronger than ever before, and donations from private donors are also highly contested. In Greece, several organisations working with refugees have already had to cease their work due to funding cuts, including partner organisations of SAO. As a result, important alliances are breaking down and alternative services for our target group are simply no longer available. In addition, the Greek Ministry of Migration wants to cut spending on services for refugees by 30%, which will lead to further cuts in key programmes. It is therefore all the more necessary for SAO to continue its work, as we are an important point of contact for our clients.

Despite these developments, SAO remains committed to continuing to offer displaced women psychosocial support and
prospects for the future. In 2026, we will be able to look back on 10 years of successful work in Greece. This milestone makes us very proud. Our programmes have proven their worth and, over the years, our approach has enabled us to accompany many women on their path to stability and self-determination. In order to successfully conclude 2025 and continue operating our day centres in 2026, we urgently need the support of institutional and private donors.

Your support makes our work possible. Thank you for supporting us!

All the best,

Zoé Roth