Personalised education for displaced young people

The new year brings renewed energy as we launch the Spring term at Gekko, alongside new learning opportunities for our displaced students and continued collaboration across our dedicated team. Interest in Gekko’s programmes remains high, highlighting a persistent gap in the educational provision available to displaced learners. Notably, a significant proportion of 71.5% of the Spring term applicants are returning Gekko students, reflecting both sustained need and trust in our educational support. Within the first weeks of the Spring term, 163 students are actively attending classes at Gekko, revealing the success of the recently completed Fall term.

In the Fall term (Sept-Dec 2025), Gekko remained focused on providing learning opportunities that complement formal schooling while building practical and vocational readiness for displaced teenagers and adults. Many of our learners have experienced disrupted education and continue to face significant barriers to accessing legal employment and further education in Greece. In addition to Gekko’s core subjects of Greek, English, and computer skills, the 2025/26 academic year includes certification pathways through IELTS (English) and ECDL (computer skills). Overall, in Fall term, 209 students enrolled across courses, with an average attendance rate of 68%.

School Support: A much-needed service

A documented gap in educational provision in Athens disproportionately affects displaced junior high and high school students, particularly those facing language barriers within the public education system. Many struggle to follow the national curriculum, leading to demotivation, irregular attendance, and, in some cases, school dropout.

To address this gap, Gekko runs the School Support project, ensuring that young learners receive homeschooling support and targeted tutorials aligned with the public education curriculum. The project supports students aged 12–18 through daily, individualized instruction, homework assistance, and academic guidance, using teaching methods adapted to displaced learners. Since September 2025, 44 students have improved their overall school performance, particularly in Greek Literature, Ancient Greek Language and Literature, History, Math, Physics, Chemistry and Geography. In line with the public education calendar, the project also provides support during examination periods.

As we enter the new year, your support allows Gekko to continue delivering responsive education where it is needed most, supporting displaced students to move forward with confidence and purpose. Thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude, 

The Better Days team

Dear Friends, 

After an eventful Summer School at Gekko, we hit the ground running for the launch of fall term in mid-September. We are currently working with nearly 190 active students attending daily lessons in English, Greek, and IT. As the excitement of a new term settles into a close-knit community, we are grateful, as ever, to share updates about our work with our family of supporters. 

Conditions remain challenging for young people seeking a stable, dignified life in Greece. As state education programs struggle with inefficiency and limited reach, non-profit organizations steps in to fill the gaps - offering quality learning opportunities despite scarce resources.

While non-formal education centers play a vital role, formal certification remains crucial for displaced learners. The countless hours and immeasurable energy students commit to non-formal learning result in valuable skills, but, too often, these skills go unrecognized by potential employers and educational institutions. Students are left with little opportunity to build on their achievements.

We are thrilled to share that Gekko has become an official Accreditation Center for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL/ICDL) in order to help fill this gap. Offered at Gekko in partnership with PeopleCert, the ECDL is an internationally recognized benchmark for digital literacy - accepted by public institutions, private companies, and academic organizations in over 100 countries, including Greece’s public sector hiring process. 

Through structured ECDL preparation, mock exams, and fee-free certification right here at Gekko, participants will gain fundamental skills for the workplace. The program’s modular format and supportive instruction allow students to progress at their own pace, boosting both competence and confidence. Together, these opportunities open doors to employment, education, and fuller participation in digital society.

This new initiative joins Gekko’s successful IELTS (English language) program to offer formal certification in two of our three academic departments. Thanks to your continued support, we are building pathways for displaced and vulnerable learners to achieve formal recognition for their skills and create brighter futures in their new communities.

With gratitude,