ABSTRACT
Thousands of refugee and migrant youth fleeing violence and persecution have come to view Greece as an entry point to Europe. To address the educational needs of this population, the Skaramagas Learning Centre non-formal education programme was developed to provide learning opportunities for adolescent refugees. The core purpose of this programme was to create a stable environment for refugee and migrant adolescents by ensuring continuity in their education. An integrated curriculum with a multi-disciplinary approach including English language classes and life skills activities (i.e., drama, photography, art, physical education, and music) was implemented. Additionally, a trauma-sensitive approach was applied to support the needs of students, families, and teachers. In this setting, the six CREATE principles of educational research [i.e., Connections (creating a safe and inclusive environment, building power relationships), Reflexivity (active reflection process), Empathy (developing intercultural competence, culturally responsive pedagogy), Adherence (English language learning, diversity in the classroom, creative interventions), Transparency (community events, outreach in the community), and Empowerment (becoming co-researchers)] were identified and discussed, with the inclusion of specific examples. Overall, the Skaramagas Learning Centre provided a safe space for refugee youth to express their thoughts, views, and emotions, restoring a sense of safety and normality in their lives.
