Centre for Psycho-Social Assistance to Refugees

The Centre for Psycho-Social Assistance to Refugees, within Slovene Philanthropy, was established in 1994 as a response to the conflict over territory of the former Yugoslavia. At first the activities focussed on refugees from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and later from Kosovo. They consisted of visiting refugees in refugee camps to offer support such as education, the organisation of self-help groups, finding volunteers to help them and Slovenian language courses.

The Centre currently offers the following activities regarding different target groups:

Asylum seekers

•    psycho-social assistance
•    women’s self-help group
•    Slovenian language help for individuals and small groups
•    activities that involve spending time with each other, such as movie/dance/music nights, sport and cultural events.
•    enhancing employment
•    advocacy

Underage refugees and asylum seekers

•    psycho-social assistance
•    support in terms of adapting to Slovenian society (e.g. education and obtaining documents)
•    activities for free time (creative workshops, summer camps, cultural and sport events)

Separated minor refugees

•    assigning guardians for children travelling without parents
•    advocacy
•    Cooperation in the Programme for separated minor refugees in Europe

Training and education

•    help in learning Slovenian for asylum seekers and refugees
•    training for experts whom are professionally involved in immigration and refugee issues
•    training for volunteers in topics related to immigration and refugees
•    cooperation with universities to include students in refugee related topics

Awareness-raising activities

•    cooperation with the media
•    round tables
•    setting/creating giant posters
•    different events at World Refugee Day

The programme is financed by:

•    European Commission (EC)
•    Europe refugee fund
•    Municipality of Ljubljana
•    Ministry of work, family and social matters
•    Ministry of internal affairs
•    United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR)