We are a volunteer-based organisation

The ELIL team consists of qualified long-term lawyers registered with a Greek bar association as well as programme, interpretation and project staff (see Vacancies). However, our work would not be possible without the contribution of volunteer lawyers from other European countries (who work on a pro bono basis, though their expenses are covered), legal assistants and volunteer interpreters.

Detailed volunteer role descriptions and instructions on how to apply are included below.

Volunteer lawyers:

Volunteer lawyers assist our staff lawyers in providing legal assistance to asylum seekers through in-depth asylum preparations. They may also be required to draft additional documents to support applicants, including memos for case workers. More information can be found here.

If you would like to apply to be a volunteer lawyer, you should meet the following criteria:

  • Be able to spend a minimum of three weeks volunteering in person in Greece;
  • Have training and/or experience in Asylum Law and the law of international protection;
  • Proficiency in English required.
  • Be a member of a Bar Association or Law Society of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland

    • Please note that it is not necessary to know any Greek law in order to volunteer with ELIL. The only legal knowledge needed is experience and familiarity with asylum law in your home jurisdiction.

ELIL covers the cost of each volunteer lawyer’s travel to Athens, Lesvos or Thessaloniki (up to a maximum of €400) and provides volunteer lawyers with accommodation and a daily allowance of €10 per day to cover expenses.

Please follow this link in order to submit your application: apply now.

Legal Assistants:

Legal assistants (including German referendare) support lawyers with cases of first instance interview preparation and family reunification under the Dublin III Regulation. This includes in-depth research for the preparation of memos, communication and evidence-gathering with applicants, registration and follow-up.

If you would like to apply to volunteer as a legal assistant, you should meet the following criteria:

  • Be able to spend a minimum of three months volunteering in person in Greece;
  • Have training and/or experience in Asylum Law and the law of international protection preferred;
  • Proficiency in English required.

We are currently welcoming applications from potential legal assistants from August 2025 onwards. Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you would like to apply for a period outside these dates.

ELIL offers accommodation to legal assistants volunteering in Athens, Lesvos and Thessaloniki. Unfortunately, we are not able to cover the cost of travel to/from Greece or provide a daily allowance to legal assistants.

Priority will be given to applicants who can commit to a longer volunteering duration.

Please follow this link in order to submit your application: apply now.

For more information for prospective German referendare, please click here.

For more information for prospective avocats stagiaires, please click here.

Volunteer interpreters:

ELIL’s work would not be possible without interpretation. Our interpreters assist the legal teams with every aspect of their work.

Our volunteer interpreters should meet the following criteria:

  • Be able to spend a minimum of two weeks volunteering in person in Greece;
  • Be proficient in English and in one other relevant language required, e.g. Arabic, Dari/Farsi or French;
  • Previous training and/or experience in interpreting in the legal field and/or experience working with vulnerable groups is preferred.

ELIL covers the cost of each volunteer interpreter’s travel to Athens, Lesvos or Thessaloniki (up to a maximum of €400) and provides volunteer interpreters with accommodation and a daily allowance of €10 per day to cover expenses.

Please follow this link in order to submit your application: apply now.

Other volunteering opportunities with ELIL

We are always on the lookout for new ideas to strengthen our programmes. If you think you can contribute to our work, for example as a social worker or in a creative role (as a photographer, a videographer, etc.), please follow this link and submit your application: apply now.

For further information, read our FAQs or contact us at: info@europeanlawyersinlesvos.eu