United Societies of Balkans

United Societies of Balkans (U.S.B.) is a non-governmental organization based in Thessaloniki, Greece, created in 2008 by a group of young people with a shared vision for active participation and social change. For more than fifteen years it has designed and delivered educational, social and volunteer programs for young people, with a particular emphasis on those with fewer opportunities. Its stated goals are mental and social well-being, the strengthening of active citizenship, and the creation of inclusive, connected local communities. The organization operates through a portfolio of mobility and training programs. These include youth mobility exchanges, adult education activities, funded volunteering placements, and vocational education and training (VET). U.S.B. participates in and implements European programs and projects, developing initiatives and collaborations with organizations in Greece and abroad. Alongside these programs it offers a set of services: psychosocial services, support for volunteer activities, consulting on European programs, consulting on the organization, administration and management of civil society organizations, the design and implementation of adult education and training programs, the planning and implementation of social entertainment activities, and space rental. U.S.B. reports having completed more than 500 programs and reached over 10,000 beneficiaries, and it counts more than 100 members. Its team is led by Aris Paraschou, CEO and Founder, with Yannis Tsilsou as Director and Christian Cibba as ESC Manager, among other staff. The organization maintains several locations in Thessaloniki: its headquarters at 9th Alamanas Str. in Agios Pavlos, the "Balkan Heart" space on Delmouzou 8, and offices on Monastiriou 4. It also runs the Balkan Hotspot and Balkan Heart initiatives and publishes policies including a Child Protection Policy, a Gender Equality Policy, a Privacy Policy and a Code of Conduct, alongside transparency materials and financial reports. As a civil society organization rather than a commercial enterprise, U.S.B. is funded through European programs and projects and through the services it provides. Its work is concentrated in Greece and the wider Balkan region, with partnerships extending across Europe. It remains active, continuing to recruit volunteers and to run workshops, actions and educational programs for its community.

United Societies of Balkans was created in Thessaloniki in 2008 by a group of young people who shared a common vision for active participation and social change. From its base in Greece's second-largest city, the organization set out to work with young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, through educational, social and volunteer programs. Over more than fifteen years of operation, U.S.B. built a portfolio centered on mobility and empowerment. It runs youth mobility programs, adult education, funded volunteering and vocational education and training, and it participates in and implements European programs and projects. These activities are carried out in collaboration with organizations in Greece and abroad, extending its reach across the Balkans and Europe. Alongside its programs, the organization developed a service arm. It offers psychosocial services that provide personalized support to young people and adults, support for volunteer activities, consulting on European programs, consulting on the organization, administration and management of civil society organizations, the design and implementation of adult education and training programs, the planning and implementation of social entertainment activities, and space rental. Its rental offering provides modern, fully equipped rooms in the city centre suitable for seminars, workshops, corporate meetings, creative activities and events. U.S.B. reports having completed more than 500 programs and reached over 10,000 beneficiaries, and it has more than 100 members. It operates from several Thessaloniki locations: headquarters at 9th Alamanas Str. in Agios Pavlos, the Balkan Heart space on Delmouzou 8, and offices on Monastiriou 4. The organization also maintains the Balkan Hotspot and Balkan Heart initiatives and publishes governance and safeguarding documents, including a Child Protection Policy, a Gender Equality Policy, a Privacy Policy and a Code of Conduct, together with transparency materials and financial reports. Its leadership includes founder and CEO Aris Paraschou, Director Yannis Tsilsou and ESC Manager Christian Cibba. The organization remains active, recruiting volunteers and running workshops, actions and educational programs.

• 2008

  United Societies of Balkans is created in Thessaloniki by a group of young people.

• Organization reports more than 500 completed programs and over 10,000 beneficiaries.

• Organization reports more than 100 members.

Non-governmental organization focused on youth mobility, volunteering, social inclusion and active citizenship in the Balkans and Europe.

• Youth mobility programs

• Adult education programs

• Funded volunteering

• Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Psychosocial services

• Support for volunteer activities

• Consulting on European programs

• Consulting in organization/administration/management of CSOs

• Design & implementation of adult education & training programs

• Planning & implementation of social entertainment activities

• Space rental

1. 1Organization | United Societies of Balkans | Non-governmental organizationusbngo.gr
2. 2Services | Organization | United Societies of Balkans | Non-governmental organizationusbngo.gr
3. 3Space Rental | Organization | United Societies of Balkans | Non-governmental organizationusbngo.gr
4. 4Psychosocial Services | Organization | United Societies of Balkans | Non-governmental organizationusbngo.gr
5. 5United Societies of Balkanswikidata.org