Lighthouse Relief

Football is more than a sport; it creates connection beyond borders, strengthens belonging, and provides an outlet for physical and mental wellbeing. For many players, football has the power to change lives.

For the past decade, Lighthouse Relief has been running football programmes for children and young people residing in refugee camps across mainland Greece. Our sessions continue to give hope to hundreds of people who have faced harrowing journeys to seek safety in Europe.

Today is World Football Giving Day – designed to shine a light on the organisations and people using the game every day to create safe spaces, stronger communities, and life-changing opportunities for young people around the world.

Lighthouse Relief is one of over 200 such organisations, across 100 countries, rallying together, as part of World Football Giving Day. We are joined together by a commitment to providing sport4development programming that supports communities experiencing vulnerability worldwide.

If you believe in the power of football to change lives, please consider supporting our projects – all donations, of any amount, make an important difference in young people’s lives. Discover a with Lighthouse Relief here: www.lighthouserelief.org/football

A big shoutout to all individuals and organisations supporting World Football Giving Day.

And many thanks to Max Pigott for the images - taken at our session yesterday near Ritsona camp and at the Kypseli Mundial tournament that the Lighthouse Relief FC participated in recently.

We’re excited to share that Lighthouse Relief has begun new programming at the Community Centre of Corinth with Meraki.

Our team is now providing administrative and job search support for refugees and asylum seekers living in Corinth camp.

Our first goal is to support them with essential administrative tasks such as opening a bank account, setting up their Taxisnet, getting social security numbers (AMA, AMKA) and other important processes needed to start working and living in Greece. The Greek system is incredibly hard to navigate and mistakes can easily lead to consequences affecting almost all areas of life. Without a functioning governmental account and accompanying numbers, a person does not have access to health care, job contracts, or housing, all essential to rebuilding a life in safety. The assistance we provide includes booking appointments at government services and supporting the process of gathering necessary documents for each step.

The second part of our project offers guided job search support, enabling people to become more independent and learn how to autonomously find safe, reliable employment in Greece. We educate people about their rights in the labour market, requirements for employment in Greece, and proven paths to look for jobs. We create CVs for those who enter the labour market for the first time, and offer advice on existing CVs. Our work also includes translation and interpretation in several languages. The goal is to educate and assist refugees and asylum seekers to find secure and sustainable employment, as an important step towards a self-determined life.

Alongside this, we’ve launched structured basketball and volleyball sessions at the community court — creating space for connection, teamwork, and wellbeing.

This collaboration builds on a shared commitment to dignified, community‑driven support. We’re grateful to be working alongside Meraki and the residents of Corinth Refugee Camp to expand access to MHPSS activities and practical services that can strengthen long-term social and economic integration.

Stay tuned for updates from our sessions or get involved on the ground by visiting www.lighthouserelief.org/work-with-us