Paper details

Paper authors	Tracey Myers
In panel on	Volunteer Humanitarians in Europe: their Role, Significance and Potential Implications for the Humanitarian Sector
Paper presenter(s) will be presenting	In-Person / Online

Abstract

This paper, prepared by volunteers active in Greece since 2015, traces the evolution, structure, efficacy and vision of the international grassroots humanitarian movement in Northern Greece between 2015 and 2018. Building on the authors’ experiences and drawing on wider input from grassroots actors, the paper offers a review of the regional grassroots humanitarian response, contextualized within the greater refugee solidarity movement.

Over three years of sustained humanitarian action, volunteers in the region have responded to address gaps and avert disaster, and have innovated, adapted, and built long term provision alongside communities and partners. Critical examples and best practice are described through case studies. Tracing the shift from an initial emergency response to one addressing the longer term needs of a ‘stuck’ population, the paper explores key achievements and challenges, the conflicting factors driving the movement, the development of coordination, support and capacity building mechanisms, and the complex relationship with INGOs and authorities.

The paper finally reflects on lessons and the likely future evolution of the grassroots
movement. Suggestions are offered as to how the authorities, INGOs and those in funding and research roles can better interact with and support the grassroots for the benefit of refugees and migrants.

By: Ingrid Kantarova, Tracey Myers and Phoebe Ramsay

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