Our Story

Second Tree is a community-led, volunteer-run, grassroots NGO working with refugees in Northern Greece. Our name is inspired by the proverb:

“THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE WAS 20 YEARS AGO, THE SECOND BEST TIME IS NOW.”

We believe that it’s never too late to take action and make a positive difference in the world.

Our Story

Our founders met as volunteers in one of the worst camps in Greece in 2016 (Katsikas Refugee Camp) and decided to leave their old lives to build an organisation that first and foremost tackles the stereotype of treating refugees as villains, struggling heroes or hopeless victims and instead treats them as people.

Their vision resonated with many others and Second Tree has had over 120 team members from all over the world who have donated their time, skills and energy to spread the message that refugees are people.

Our Mission

We work to change the way that society perceives refugees and that refugees perceive society and themselves, through an approach to community engagement that sees refugees as agents of their change and integration.

Our Vision

We aim to build communities where refugees are not patronised, romanticised or stereotyped because of what happened to them, or where they come from. Inclusive communities where no one is “the other” and where all have a shared responsibility and an equal voice, based on the values of trust, fairness and engagement.

Team on the ground

Second Tree was founded by volunteers, and volunteers remain the backbone of our organisation.

Giovanni Web

GIOVANNI FONTANA

President from Florence, Italy

Dina Web

DINA PASIC

Media Policy & Fundraising Director from Bosnia and Qatar

Holly Web

HOLLY DAWSON

Programmes Director from Cheltenham, UK

Ciara Web

CIARA MACKEN

Community Engagement and Accountability Manager from Los Angeles, California

Caro Web

CAROLINA QUARANTA

Finances and Governance Manager from Milan, Italy

Juliette Web

JULIETTE CAPOULADE

Education Manager from Glasgow, UK

Pedro Web

PEDRO MARTIN

Financial Coordinator from Madrid, Spain

Isa Web

ISABEL LAWLOR

Communications & Fundraising Coordinator from Dublin, Ireland

Terry Web

LEFTERIS KARAGIANNIS

Community Engagement & Integration Officer from Ioannina, Greece