The “Athens Observatory for Refugees and Immigrants” (AORI) is a comprehensive research program which combines both census type field surveys and public opinion polls. Its aim is to help the Municipality have a better understanding of the refugee/immigration phenomenon, through a specific analysis of the characteristics of the population, who stay in the hosting facilities of the Athens municipality. In addition, it aims to reflect the residents’ attitudes towards the refugee/ immigrant population and their evolution over time.
The AORI surveys constitute a systematic evidence base, providing reliable information on the current situation of the refugees/immigrants within the geographical boundaries of the Municipality, as well as the existing possibilities for their inclusion and integration.
Within the AORI, the following surveys were carried out:
- Surveys A: Quantitative surveys conducted by telephone interviews with residents of the City of Athens, in 3 waves
- Survey B: Census of the Refugee/Immigrant Population, which conducted at the accommodation site at Eleonas
- Survey C: Census of the Refugee/Immigrant Population, which conducted at the temporary accommodation apartments in Athens
Surveys A were conducted on samples of 1000 residents of the seven (7) city districts of Athens, (18+), on October, November and December 2016.
Public opinion surveys A includes the following axes:
- Visibility of the Other
- Visibility of refugees
- Attitudes towards coexistence with refugees
- Social attitudes towards integration of refugees
- Volunteer practices
Survey B was conducted on November-December 2016 at the accommodation site at Eleonas with face-to-face interviews. The census covered all the 534 heads of the refugee households/families and 1.600 people in total. As family are also meant the incomplete forms that have arisen as a result of the family losses caused by the war, or the divisions of families caused by unintentional movements.
Survey C was conducted on November2016-January 2017 at the temporary accommodation apartments in Athens with face-to-face interviews. The census covered all the 190 heads of the refugee households/families and 901 people in total.
Census surveys B & C include the following axes :
- Social and demographic profile of the refugee/immigrant population staying at Eleonas / apartments (nationality, gender, age, marital status, previous social status etc.)
- Experiences from the journey to Greece (decision to leave the home country, choice of destination country, passage/transit countries)
- Forms of help and assistance received in Athens (from the citizens, church, NGOs)
- Living conditions and everyday life in Athens (housing conditions in Eleonas / the apartments, social life, circulation in the city)
- Current economic situation of the household (expenditures, employment status of family members)
- Refugees’ education level and skills (work experience, language and IT skills)
- The refugees’ future plans and intentions
Main findings of the surveys:
Surveys A:
Survey B:
Survey C:
*The project was exclusively donated by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation