The project in summary

Music education and training activities for minors and youths with a migration background and their Greek peers.

The project in detail

Pioneered in Athens in 2016, the music education and training program developed by El Sistema Greece (ESG) has been inspired by Abreu’s reticular pedagogical model and guided by the vision of music as universal language without borders, and as a tool for cohesion and social change. Today, the program is an educational reality of excellence in Greece and a benchmark in the field of music education and social inclusion. In 2024-2026, ESG intends to consolidate the music education and training program, and in parallel, to launch an impact evaluation, framed by the “Theory of Change”, to replicate the “ESG Model” in other contexts of social suffering and migratory vulnerability, as well as to multiply its collective impact.

More specifically, this project aims to:

  • enable minors and youths with a migration background to start a post-traumatic resilience process through the music practice, in a protected and safe environment;
  • strengthen (empowerment) their artistic-creative skills, improve their social-relational skills, self-esteem and confidence in themselves;
  • continue to offer an innovative music education program and build bridges with Greek academic institutions;
  • consolidate the organization’s structure and sustainability through the adoption of growth and development strategies;
  • strengthen and expand its national and international network.

Expected Beneficiaries throughout the project (2024/2026)

  • Approximately 222 students per year (5-16 ages), of which 15 UAM (12-17 ages), and 100 with a migration background (8-26 ages);
  • 15 students per year (13-26 ages), of which 40% with a migration background.

In the three-year period 2024/2026, ESG, with the support of Alta Mane, intends to develop the following activities: 

  • strengthen the music education and training program inside the núcleos of Kypseli (Athens), the Kaloy’s Conservatory (Korinthos), and the Schisto (Athens) and Korinthos (Korinthos) Refugee Sites, as well as the IOM Emergency Accommodation Center for UAM (Piraeus) in favour of approximately 222 students (5-26 ages) per year;
  • annually organize the ESG Summer Camp in favour of approximately 80/100 students (8-26 ages) who, during the school year, participate in the different music education and training activities organized inside the seven núcleos where ESG operates;
  • consolidate the Young Leaders Programme in favour of 15 students (13-26 ages) per year;
  • launch an impact evaluation, framed by the Theory of Change;
  • strengthen and extend its several Advocacy & Networking activities, at national and international level.

In 2024/2025, with the support of Alta Mane, has developed the following activities: organized 1’095 music education and training workshops inside the núcleos of Kypseli, the Kaloy’s Conservatory, the Schisto and Korinthos Refugee Sites, as well as the IOM Emergency Accommodation Center for UAM, reaching 1’012 students (5-35 ages) with or without a migration background, including 466 UAM (12-17 ages). In parallel, has consolidated the Young Leaders Program by organizing 22 active citizenship workshops reaching 33 students (12-17 ages) with different cultural, social and linguistic backgrounds. In addition, as an integral part of the music education process, 601 students (8-26 ages) performed in 34 live concerts, in Greece and abroad, reaching 9’767 people in the audience. At the same time, has continued and deepened several methodological and analytical activities aimed at the design of an impact evaluation study, framed by the Theory of Change, to model a pioneering educational model, based on music education, to enhance creativity, improve the social and emotional well-being of children and youth, and promote their social inclusion within the different strata of Greek society. In parallel, has consolidated and extended its network, by participating, online and in presence, in 38 Advocacy & Networking Events, held in Greece and internationally, showcasing ESG’s exemplary role in using music as a tool for change, social inclusion and cohesion, youth empowerment, and community building, reaching 7’663 experts in the field.