Our mission
Boat Refugee Foundation is committed to providing humanitarian aid. We adhere to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. We offer assistance to those in need and focus on people who have been forced to flee their homes.

The organization’s work has evolved over the years. We have been active or have worked on various programs at different locations.

In 2015, our work in Lesvos primarily involved providing aid after boat landings, conducting rescue operations, and medical work. Now, we aim to provide more customized support, including (psycho)social assistance and medical help for the population of the refugee camp on the island. We couldn’t do this without our volunteers!

What do we expect from you?
We expect you to align with the program and objectives of the organization and to promote them. We are an organization that includes people from various backgrounds and beliefs within the volunteer team and the people we assist. We are here to provide help, regardless of someone’s background.

Safety
When you choose to work with Boat Refugee Foundation, it is crucial that you are aware of the socio-political context of the location you are heading to. The organisation makes every effort to ensure the safety of its staff. Therefore, we have strict safety policies in place, and it is expected that all volunteers and staff adhere to them. You will receive a comprehensive safety briefing upon your arrival.

What can you expect from us?

We expect a high degree of flexibility from our volunteers because the fieldwork experiences rapid and significant changes. We prioritize providing comprehensive support to everyone. Before your departure, we aim to inform you as effectively as possible, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. During and after your stay, you can speak with a psychologist or coach to discuss your experiences. Additionally, there will always be a point of contact during your stay to address any questions or concerns.

We have collected several training modules to prepare you as effectively as possible. Regular training sessions will also be organized during your stay.

Then take note of the following:

As an EU citizen, you have the right to free movement within the European Union. This means you are free to travel to and stay in another EU country. However, if you plan to stay in Greece for more than 90 days, you are expected to officially register your stay.

In Greece, you need to apply for an EU certificate at the local police station. For this application, you will need the following documents:

1. A volunteer contract with Boat Refugee Foundation.
2. Proof of accommodation showing where you are staying.
3. Proof of valid health insurance.
4. A bank statement showing that you either have a source of income during your stay in Greece or a minimum of €5,000 in your account. This is required to demonstrate that you can support yourself during your stay.

All volunteers are screened by volunteers from Stichting Bootvluchteling. We follow the same procedure for everyone: every individual is screened in the same manner and must meet the same basic requirements. You can find these requirements in the job description. Group registration is not possible. We are also unable to consider multiple people in planning the general schedule and weekly rosters.

The steps for screening, planning, and registration are as follows:

1. Screening
You apply through the website. A screener will contact you by email within 7 days and provide you with information. After that, the screener will conduct an interview with you via video call, during which the code of conduct will also be discussed. In the interview, the screener will ask about your work experience and personality, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. After this screening, the screener will inform you if you are suitable to work at the location you applied for. However, your position in the team is not guaranteed at this stage. Depending on team composition and your availability, a decision will be made on your placement as a volunteer. You will coordinate this with the planner.

2. Planning
After a positive screening interview, our planner will contact you. Together with you, the planner will coordinate your travel dates. Once your availability aligns with our schedule and you have finalized your travel dates with the planner’s approval, you can book your tickets. We recommend arriving on Lesbos on a Thursday, so you can get acclimated with introductions and training. There is no fixed arrival date for other locations. If you find a ticket with a different arrival date, please consult with the planner before booking.

3. Registration

After your travel dates are finalized, you will receive the necessary information about the registration process from the planner.

Before we explain which documents need to be provided for the registration process, it is important to understand the following information. At the end of 2022, Camp Mavrovouni was classified as a CCAC (Closed Controlled Access Center) by a presidential decree. All aid organizations (NGOs) operating within CCACs and other reception facilities are required to officially register with the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum to continue their activities within the camp.

After undergoing a (lengthy and intensive) registration process, Stichting Bootvluchteling (Boat Refugee Foundation) has successfully registered with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. While this official status ensures the protection of our work, it also means we must comply with specific registration requirements.

All volunteers and staff members affiliated with an NGO working in the camp must be registered through the portal facilitated by the ministry’s registration office. This requires uploading several documents that volunteers have shared with Stichting Bootvluchteling on this portal.

Additionally for medical volunteers it is important to know that in Greece, doctors are required to register with a local medical association. Because Greek residency is required for such a registration, it is not possible for (non-Greek) BRF medical volunteers to register.

In CCAC Mavrovouni, the party formally responsible for all medical care provided in the facility is, since July 1st 2024, IOM Greece (the contract between the ministry and EODY, the Hellenic National Public Health Organisation, was discontinued per June 30th 2024). The accommodation facilities, thus, form a ‘grey’ zone, informally allowing BRF and its non-Greek medical staff/volunteers who are not formally registered with the local medical association, in the CCAC.

In this context, as BRF we are held to collect and keep on file a number of documents from our medical volunteers. These documents will not be uploaded in the register of the ministry of migration and asylum. They relate specifically to our compliance with Greek legislation concerning medical practice.

Given the relative newness of this registration process, we expect some initial challenges. Please note the following important points:

1. Once we have received your documents, including translations, we will start your registration by uploading the required documents to the ministry’s portal. They reserve the right to reject documents or request additional information within 60 days of submission. If additional information is requested, you must respond within 10 days.

2. According to Article 10 of decision 10616/2020 of the Greek government, the register will be maintained as long as our organization remains active in Greece. However, it remains unclear whether your data will be automatically removed from their database upon your departure (as prescribed by the General Data Protection Regulation). You may need to personally request the deletion of your information.

The required documents are:
– A legalised copy of your passport
– A signed Greek volunteer contract for the portal and a volunteer contract for the insurance and code of conduct.
– A completed form with your contact- and personal details
– Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG), a legally certified check of your criminal  record
– Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) translated to Greek.

For medical and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) volunteers, additional documents are required by the Greek government. These are not uploaded to the portal of the register, but we as the organization you work for must have them in our possession.

For medical volunteers, the following documents are required:

– Copy of diploma
– Current and valid registration with your local medical board (BIG registration)

For MHPSS volunteers, the following documents are required:

– Diploma relevant to MHPSS work
– Registration with a psychological or professional organization (optional)

4. Preparation
Once you are invited to complete the registration, you will also gain access to the Shared Drive for your location. Here, you will find information about the location you are heading to, the context in which you will be working, and training modules that we expect you to complete before your departure.

Overview costs
Boat Refugee Foundation’s existence depends on the many volunteers and donors, without which we’d not be able to do our job. Our financial means are mostly spent on medical and psychosocial care. That is why we ask all volunteers to pay for their own registration, travel and stay. A volunteer of Boat Refugee Foundation can, upon request, receive a contribution of € 210 per month, provided they are volunteering with the organisation for at least three consecutive months.

Have you carefully reviewed the information and feel adequately informed? If you have not done so already, please apply as a volunteer by filling out the application form for the position that interests you. If you have any questions, please contact us for more information or ask your questions during the screening interview.