Democracy

With Europe and the EU facing a time of political and financial crisis, the threats of rising Euroscepticism and populism are increasing. Against this backdrop our work in Greece aims at combating the ideologies of inequality by fostering civil society initiatives towards human rights protection and social inclusion policies as well as at deepening democratic governance through substantial citizens´ participation in political processes at all levels.

3 Questions on the new EU LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy to Rémy Bonny

3 Questions
The European Commission’s new LGBTIQ+ Equality strategy for 2026-2030 puts equality back on the agenda – but for Rémy Bonny, Executive Director at Forbidden Colours, it comes too little, too late. As Europe faces a coordinated anti-gender movement importing authoritarian narratives into the EU, he warns that “a few nice words won’t stop that.” Joan Lanfranco asked him where the EU needs to show real political courage, how it can counter disinformation and violence, and why defending LGBTIQ+ rights has become a test of Europe’s democracy itself.
Joan Lanfranco, Rémy Bonny

Human Rights

At a time of multiple crises and weakening of social cohesion, ideologies of inequality gain attractiveness and diffusion in Greek society. Addressing them requires our mobilization to defend human rights, combat discrimination, respect for diversity and equal social inclusion of vulnerable social groups.

Discrimination & Diversity

Education for Democracy

Migration & Inclusion

Seeking asylum is a human right

Asylum bans in the European Union: How states break the law and get away with it

In July 2025, Greece took a radical, if unsurprising, decision to ban people irregularly arriving on its shores by boat from North Africa from claiming asylum. The government presented the asylum ban as a decisive measure against an increase in arrivals on the southern Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos. The new Greek asylum ban is a textbook breach of EU rules neither unprecedented nor isolated. It comes as a fresh symptom of the deteriorating state of the EU’s Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and of the rule of law that sees governments across the continent openly flout straightforward refugee protection standards, disregard the courts, and get away with it.
Minos Mouzourakis
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Deepening Democracy

Getting involved is the only way to stay relevant.
Heinrich Böll (1917-1985)

Democracy in Europe

Greek Politics

Open Governance & Participation

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Relevant Publications

Anti-Semitism in Greece Today - Cover 2019

Anti-Semitism in Greece Today (Second Edition)

PUBLICATION
Examining the anti-Semitism phenomenon in Greece in the 21st century is based on the observation that post-Auschwitz anti-Semitism has not been eradicated neither in Greece nor in the rest of Europe, but is instead rising as evidence from recent studies show.

Legally Combatting Gender-based Discrimination in Greece

PUBLICATION
This study reflects and evaluates the current institutional framework for combatting gender discrimination in Greece by focusing on the laws voted by the Parlement in recent years concerning the protection of the rights of victims of gender violence, especially women, as well as the basic rights of the LGBTQI+ community where Greece lagged far behind other European countries.
People on the Move in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018 cover

People on the Move in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018: Stuck in the corridors to the EU

Migrants
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been part of the “Balkan route” for smuggling people, arms and drugs for decades, but also a migrant route for people who have been trying to reach Western Europe and the countries of the EU in order to save their lives and secure a future for themselves. This report offers insight into the situation on the field: is there a system responsible for protection, security, and upholding fundamental human rights? What has the state response been like? What is the role of the international community?
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