The Applicant (KMOP)
KMOP, is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1977, being thus one of the oldest Greek NGOs with 40 years of accumulated experience in supporting disadvantaged groups. KMOP’s main areas of expertise include social welfare and health, employability and human rights protection, scientific research and development of know-how in social policy and social protection issues.
Over the past decades, KMOP has managed to establish a strong presence not only in Greece but also abroad, focusing on underprivileged areas and regions. Apart from direct provision of services through decentralised community based facilities (Group Houses and a Day Care Centre for mentally ill, and other counseling centers), KMOP is also actively involved in both national and international projects, addressing social issues with emphasis on low-skilled youth and long term unemployed, victims of violence and THB, migrants, disabled and minorities.
KMOP has for long been committed to eliminating inequalities, promoting human rights and preventing and combating all forms of violence, with special emphasis on the fight against THB and the protection of victims. Since 2010, KMOP has been actively involved in the Anti-Trafficking (AT) field at national and at EU and international level:
At national level, KMOP is working with the National Rapporteur and other key institutions in an effort to raise wide awareness on the phenomenon among both potential victims and various national and local actors, professionals and the public; and advance the National Referral Mechanism in Greece through provision of assistance to the Coordinator of the NRM (National Centre for Social Solidarity) in the definition of SOPs.
In recent years, KMOP successfully implemented a nationwide awareness raising campaign titled “STOP TRAFFICKING” (2014) that met great success by reaching more than 8.000 persons. An initiative that was followed up by the establishment of a Drop-In Centre for Victims of Trafficking (VoT) in Thessaloniki, in the context of the “SPOT Trafficking” project (2015 – 2016).
Since 2011, KMOP has also taken a lead role in the implementation of EU level interventions against THB in efforts to raise awareness about child trafficking and enhance protection and assistance to child victims. Among the highlights of the organisation’s EU level activity, we distinguish 3 ISEC-funded projects led by KMOP between 2011 – 2015:
- “GATE – Guardians for separated children Against Trafficking and any form of Exploitation” (2011 – 2013);
- “IMPACT: Improving and Monitoring Protection systems Against Child Trafficking and exploitation” (2012 – 2014);
- “RESILAND – Participation, capacities and resilience of children on the move against trafficking and exploitation” (2013 – 2015).
Since 2016, KMOP is also an active member of the EU Civil Society Platform on THB.
Last, but not least, at international level, between 2011 – 2013, KMOP provided technical assistance to the Kosovo Government aimed at strengthening institutional response against THB. In the course of the project’s 2-year duration, KMOP the GoK In strengthening its legislative and regulatory framework; improving the National Coordination Mechanism; advancing existing monitoring and evaluation systems; raising public awareness on THB; and strengthening capacities of local stakeholders and professionals. The Moving Forward project builds on the results of this former action aiming to further advance the AT system in Kosovo.
For more information on KMOP’s activity, please visit www.kmop.eu.