Who we are
Standing with children who travel alone
Vela Greece is part of the Vela network of humanitarian organisations in Greece, Poland and Cyprus, and since 2024 one of the largest child protection actors at the country's points of entry.
Vela Greece was founded in 2024 by a team with more than ten years of humanitarian response experience in Greece — in large-scale accommodation, day centres and child protection programmes. We began with private funding at the Malakasa Safe Area in March 2024; within months the operation joined IOM's MERIMNA programme and became one of the largest child protection interventions in the country.
Today our teams work in Malakasa and Thessaloniki, with our head office in Thessaloniki. We work closely with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, IOM, the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors, and public health, education and welfare services.
We respond to humanitarian crises, support the most vulnerable members of society and create opportunities for empowerment and inclusion — with a standing commitment to transparency, quality and child safeguarding. We publish our statistics every month. Every one of our policies is public.
We are part of the Vela network: independent organisations in Poland, Greece and Cyprus that share one identity, one set of standards and one conviction — that effective response starts with presence, trust and professionalism.
Child protection
The best interests of the child drive every decision, from the first night in the Safe Area to transfer into long-term care.
Crisis response
We are on the ground when arrivals exceed every forecast — and we stay as long as it takes.
Psychosocial support
Psychologists and social workers in individual and group sessions, inside the facilities and through mobile units.
Social inclusion
Language, school, work, housing: we support the path to an independent life in Greece.
Our team
Leadership
Μαρία Μπίκου · Maria Bikou
Chair of the Executive Board
A lawyer with 12+ years as corporate legal counsel and, since 2016, an adviser on project implementation and human resources for civil society organisations. She specialises in coordinating teams in large-scale housing, child protection facilities and day centres, working with IOM, UN agencies and ministries. Member of the Thessaloniki Bar Association.
Μαριλένα Ιωαννίδου · Marilena Ioannidou
Vice-Chair of the Executive Board
Over 20 years in business and civil society development and a decade in large-scale humanitarian housing, child protection and education projects. MBA (CIIM), BA in Psychology and French (Macalester College). Responsible for evidence, public funding and quality assurance.
Παντελής Δημητρίου · Pantelis Dimitriou
Executive Director
More than 25 years in organisational development, humanitarian programme design and civil society funding across Greece, Cyprus, Poland and the Middle East. Has managed projects worth over €50 million and teams of 500+. Global Thinkers Forum Award for Excellence in Humanitarian Work (2017).