We are excited to share the successful completion of the Participatory Needs Assessment events held in Ano Poroia, Katerini, and Thessaloniki (Greece), as well as in Topolovgrad (Bulgaria) and Algavre (Portugal).
In Central Macedonia, the process highlighted the urgent need for inclusive, participatory approaches that prioritise marginalised voices in community decision-making. Grassroots initiatives and community-based organisations are called to foster knowledge exchange and adapt successful models to local realities.
In Topolovgrad, Bulgaria, we witnessed how everyday acts of mutual aid, cultural engagement, and inter-institutional collaboration sustain a strong ecosystem of solidarity. These practices not only preserve local identity and bridge generations, but also offer replicable civic empowerment models in contexts facing resource constraints.
In Faro, Portugal, grassroots organisations are driving impactful efforts to address social exclusion through strong partnerships and effective multi-level collaboration. The participatory needs assessment highlighted deep community trust as a powerful asset, reflecting the region’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable social change.
These events represent a crucial step in ensuring our project is shaped by the lived experiences, priorities, and realities of local communities while laying the foundation for context-specific strategies that create meaningful and lasting impact.
