Fenix, was founded in 2018 by five lawyers, following their experience of volunteering in Lesvos during the refugee crisis in 2015.

 

They identified the urgent need to support those arriving in Greece with specialist legal aid adapted to a humanitarian context, and established Fenix to provide a holistic legal aid framework that can be tailored to the individual needs of those arriving in Greece. Two of the Co-Founders and Fenix’s current Directors, Amanda Muñoz de Toro and Ana Liz (Ani) Chiban say:

 

“Our approach considers the particular needs and skills of each client, empowers them by acknowledging their individual needs, and offers them the tools they need to navigate a very complicated system, so that they can build a new life in a safe country.”

 

Fenix’s mission is twofold:

 

1. To provide holistic Legal Aid to refugees and asylum seekers. This means providing each individual with the information and tools they need to navigate the asylum process whilst simultaneously ensuring that their medical and psycho-social needs are also being met. Fenix ensures that each individual has access to primary medical care, as well as mental health services, and legal representation. Their aim is to empower their clients. 

 

2. To advocate for a fairer and more equitable asylum system through capacity building of the NGO and refugee community, general community engagement, advocacy, monitoring and reporting rights violations and strategic litigation. 

 

The Background

 

The Greek process of applying for asylum is complex and bewildering to many. It is further complicated by language barriers, changes in policy both within Greece itself and the EU more broadly, and by a hugely under-resourced legal system. 

 

In Lesvos, asylum seekers are typically rushed into asylum interviews with limited or no access to information or legal support. Short interviews are the defining factor that will determine people’s futures. Yet only 3 in 100 people have access to a lawyer before the interview. The difference between having a lawyer or not, is life changing; it can mark the difference between being granted protection in a host country, or being deported to the country of origin which has been fled, usually for reasons of safety.

 

Fenix’s work seeks to address this, by providing a multidisciplinary, participatory and individual service that takes into account the often complex and intersecting identities of their clients. This includes considering age, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as an individuals needs, skills, life experience and vulnerabilities. In order to do this, Fenix has created a multidisciplinary team of Greek and international lawyers, psychologists, social workers and case workers. In our experience, this makes them truly unique.

 

Where they work

 

Fenix works directly in the Mavrovouni camp. This is the camp that was hastily built as a temporary replacement to the infamous Moira camp, which burned down in 2020. In Mavrovouni, Fenix identifies the most vulnerable individuals, assesses their needs and builds a comprehensive and participatory plan of action. Specifically, Fenix seeks to support: 

 

1.    Individuals with severe physical and mental health conditions.

2.    Unrecognized unaccompanied minors. 

3.    Survivors of domestic violence, FGM, forced and early marriage, sexual and gender-based violence. 

4.    Survivors of torture, conscription and human trafficking. 

 

 

Beneficiaries of Fenix.

 

Since 2018 Fenix has assisted over 4,000 asylum seekers from 28 countries. 

 

In 2021, 197 people received the full holistic legal aid service, 82 clients were represented in national and European courts, 96 clients were supported with family reunification, 152 people received legal information sessions, 344 humanitarian aid workers received training, 75 women, translators and minors attended MHPSS groups, and 538 people received walk-in legal information and guidance. Fenix anticipates that they will reach a similar number of people in 2022. 

 

Please Support them with a Donation of whatever you are able to afford.

 

€ 15,00 could provide a Community Package. 

This includes legal workshops, protection training, and tailored programs designed according to the specific needs of camp residents and local actors.

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€ 30,00 could provide a Protection Package

Help to reduce this gap by enabling our team to support asylum seekers in attending medical appointments, accessing safer accommodation, and receiving official documentation of vulnerabilities to support their asylum claims.

 

€ 40,00 could provide a Legal Package

With this package, an asylum seeker may choose legal representation, as is every person’s fundamental right.

 

€ 250 could provide a Holistic Legal Aid Package

This includes multidisciplinary and integrated legal representation and mental health and psychological support in the form of group spaces and individual sessions, coupled with information sessions and a protection team that advocates for people to receive the services they need.

 

€ 500 could provide a Holistic legal aid package in addition to all legal and medical fees

 

€1,000 would support Fenix to expand their work to the Greek mainland where 42% of their clients are based.