Irida: Safe space for 650 women at risk in Greece

Dear friends and supporters,

As we are kicking off 2025, we are excited to share thrilling updates from Irida Women's Center. The first 2 months of 2025 have been marked by new beginnings, impactful conclusions, and the continuation of vital projects that protect, empower, and support the most socially and economically vulnerable women in Northern Greece. 

• Launching the Art Healing: Empowering Refugee Women through Creativity and Community Project: We are proud to announce the launch of our new initiative,  Art Healing: Empowering Refugee Women Through Creativity and Community, endorsed by the Alta Mane Foundation. The project employs the transformative power of art, community building, and peer-to-peer support to address the psychosocial needs of refugee women. Through creative workshops and artistic expression, participants will be able to process emotions, build resilience, and foster strong social connections. By mobilizing art as a healing tool, we aim to create a sustainable model for empowerment, well-being, and integration within the community.
• The SustainHER Project: A successful conclusion: As we celebrate new beginnings, we also mark the successful completion of SustainHER: Promotion of Sustainable Employment for Vulnerable Women at Risk of Poverty and Social Exclusion. The project promoted access to sustainable employment opportunities for socially and economically vulnerable women through skill-building and vocational training. Additionally, the project conducted research on sustainable employment for vulnerable women on both national and European levels, while examining the current conditions in the field of lifelong learning and vocational training for women from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 
• The SheChange and the #SheChangeSpeak Campaign:  Our commitment to combating gender-based violence continues through the SheChange project and its powerful campaign, #SheChangeSpeak. In 2025, we are expanding our impact by forming a network of 50 local businesses acting as a safe space for women at risk in the streets. The growing network of local business players a critical role in fostering a safer, more supportive community for women across Thessaloniki. 
• The Protection Program for Socially and Economically Vulnerable Women 55+: We remain dedicated to supporting older and elderly women -aged from 55 to 85 years old-, who struggle to make ends meet and have limited to zero supporting networks, promoting their right to a dignified aging process and good socio-emotional wellbeing.
  
  

As we move forward in 2025, we remain committed to fostering resilience, empowerment, and solidarity.

We thank you for standing with us as we continue our mission.
Together, we are creating lasting change for women in Thessaloniki and beyond.

With gratitude,
Lydia Siapardani