Our Team
Every day, the GCR provides free legal and social services to refugees and individuals from third countries who are entitled to international protection, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable cases, such as unaccompanied minors and victims of human trafficking. Our ultimate goal is to protect these individuals and facilitate their smooth integration into Greek society.
Daily, the GCR provides free legal and social services to refugees and individuals from third countries who are entitled to international protection, with special emphasis on the most vulnerable cases, such as unaccompanied minors and victims of human trafficking. Our ultimate goal is to protect these individuals and facilitate their smooth integration into Greek society.
The Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) is a specialized Non-Governmental Organization that has been leading efforts to protect asylum and human rights in Greece since 1989, when it was founded by Hari Brissimi and 20 other human rights defenders.
Recognized as a specialized charitable foundation, the GCR is registered with the relevant Ministries and has held Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2001. It is also an operational partner of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The GCR has been a member of the Executive Committee of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) since 1991 and has participated in the Separated Children in Europe Programme (SCEP) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) since 1999.
In 2005, the GCR was awarded by the President of the Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, as an "Island of Quality in Collective Action" for its innovative volunteer and social work in Greece.
*Hari Brissimi was the first woman in charge of an international organization as she was the Director of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva. She has been honored with the Silver Medal by the Academy of Athens for her “multidimensional social activity” as well as by the Greek League for Women’s Rights with the award of the “Prize of Female Social Contribution ALIKI GIOTOPOULOU-MARAGOPOULOU” for her contribution in the field of refugee protection and care.
Board of Directors
Vassileios Papadopoulos
PRESIDENT
Responsible for the Administrative Departments
DANINA-ELENI MANIOU
VICE PRESIDENT
Responsible for the Legal Unit
ANASTASIA PANTAZI
GENERAL SECRETARY
NIKOLAOS KOULOURIS
TREASURER
MARIA ZAIMAKI
MEMBER
POLYXENI PASSA
MEMBER
Responsible for the Social & the First Reception and interpretation Units
ELENI SPATHANA
MEMBER
Management and Coordination Team
LEFTERIS PAPAGIANNAKIS
GCR DIRECTOR
Maria Papamina
Legal Unit Coordinator
Vasiliki Katrivanou
Social Unit CoordinatoR
Nasruddin Nizami
First Reception and Interpretation Unit Coordinator
Mariana Fragkou
Programmes, Fundraising and Communications Department Coordinator
Maria Pouli
Financial Department Coordinator
GCR is registered:
At the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs:
1.In the National Registry of Private Sector Non-Profit Institutions since 2002 with serial number 0209
2.In the Special Registry of Voluntary Non-Governmental Organizations since 2002 under serial number 0179
3. At the National Centre of National Solidarity (EKKA) since 20/01/2015 as a certified provider of primary social care
(this special certification was renewed in November 2023)
At the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum:
1.In the National Registry of Greek and Foreign NGOs with number 170830191745 since August 2017
2.In the National Registry of Greek and Foreign NGOs 240/2-4-2021 since April 2021
At the Ministry of Culture:
- Recognition of GCR as a Legal Entity pursuing cultural objectives since March 2007 (Government Gazette-FEK 16/A/26.1.2007)
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Certificate of registration in the Registry of NGOs number 128 from September 2001
GCR maintains and undertakes to comply with: Code of Conduct as well as Internal Regulations and Policies on :
- Child Protection,
- Against Bullying and Harassment,
- Anti-corruption and Anti-Bribery,
- Grievances Policy,
- Whistleblowing Policy,
- Safeguarding Policy,
- Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Protection Policy,
- Personal Data Protection Policy