Potential and Limits of Municipal Solidarity with Refugees: A Case Study of the Greek Island of Tilos

This article discusses the potential and limits of municipal solidarity with refugees to offer solutions to some of the acute problems caused by the lack of international and intra-European Union (EU) solidarity. It focuses on the Greek island of Tilos, which in contrast to the nearby hotspot islands has developed a reception model that safeguards refugees’ rights, preserves social cohesion, and contributes to local development. The article shows that spontaneous expressions of municipal solidarity can be gradually transformed into sustained commitment to refugee reception, and highlights the opportunity that municipal solidarity opens up for strengthening refugee protection in the EU.