On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the first meeting of the research team (RT) was held, with the aim of providing updates and coordination regarding the preparation of the fieldwork. Specifically, the meeting focused both on preparing initial contact with a shelter for unaccompanied minors and on mapping the hosting centres for unaccompanied minors in Athens.
A total of 17 members of the research team participated in the hybrid meeting, of whom 5 attended in person at Room G1 (3rd floor, Glavani 37, Volos, University of Thessaly) and 12 joined remotely via the Zoom platform.
During the first part of the meeting, Ntefne Dafni Santsak and Eleni Bekou presented findings from the relevant literature concerning the challenges that arise in conducting research with unaccompanied minor girls, as part of the preparation for fieldwork in a hosting centre in Kozani. This was followed by a presentation by Anna Katavolada, Kalliopi Makedi and Katerina Sfyraki on the planning and stages of preparation for the fieldwork in hosting centres for unaccompanied minors in the areas of Volos and Agria, representing also the other members of the team, Kerry Synaiti and Eliza Tilsizoglou. Finally, Ioanna Drosaki and Kosmas Drakatos presented preliminary findings related to the mapping of hosting centres in Athens, based on available online data.
Overall, significant challenges related to the preparation of the fieldwork were highlighted, underscoring the need for a flexible and culturally sensitive research approach. Particular reference was made to the potential impact of recent policy developments, such as the possible closure of certain hosting centres, on the everyday lives and living conditions of unaccompanied minors. The meeting concluded with a reflective discussion, during which important observations and comments were put forward, contributing to the further design and planning of the research.