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OLYMPICEU Project

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This project has received funding from the European Union’s CERV Programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values). 

© 2025 Ellino-Italiko Epimelitirio Athina – Project Coordinator of OLYMPICEU.  

 

Concept and  Project Design by Paolo A.M. Ferrise  - www.eu20.eu 

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OLYMPICEU

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1°st OLYMPICEU Project Meeting 

Increasing Civic Engagement Among Marginalized Groups 

9–12 October 2025
📍 Olympia – Andravida-Killini – Pyrgos – Ancient Olympia (Greece)

EVENT OVERVIEW

The first transnational event of the OLYMPICEU project took place in Ancient Olympia and focused on strengthening civic engagement among marginalized groups. The meeting aimed to identify and overcome the main barriers that prevent citizens such as women, ethnic minorities, young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities from participating actively in civic life.

Through interactive sessions, focus groups and workshops, participants explored strategies to make democratic processes more inclusive and accessible. The event combined both online and offline activities, promoting equal opportunities for digital and physical participation. Training on digital literacy and civic education empowered community representatives to use new participation tools, understand their civic rights and contribute more effectively to local decision-making processes.

A specific part of the programme was devoted to the co-design of inclusive participation platforms, ensuring that the new digital and physical spaces created by the project are accessible, multilingual and user-friendly. Cooperation with local authorities and NGOs from Italy and Greece supported the integration of these tools into real civic processes such as local elections, consultations and policy discussions.

This first event laid the foundations for an open and participatory European community, where marginalized groups are encouraged to engage, express their views and shape the democratic life of their territories.

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OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT

  • Identify and analyse barriers to civic participation among marginalized groups.
  • Empower citizens and community representatives through digital literacy and civic education activities.
  • Co-design inclusive, user-friendly participation tools together with local authorities, NGOs and community stakeholders.
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ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT

During the four-day programme, participants engaged in a rich set of activities, including:

  • Thematic workshops on social inclusion and civic participation.
  • Focus groups with community organisations, youth groups, women’s associations and elderly networks.
  • Training sessions on digital tools for civic engagement and accessible communication.
  • Co-design meetings for the development of inclusive participation platforms.
  • Institutional roundtables between Greek and Italian municipalities.
  • Field visits to the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia and local community centres.

These activities strengthened cross-border collaboration and encouraged active participation across all stakeholder groups.

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THEMATIC HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SPEECHES 

The institutional speeches delivered during the event highlighted a shared commitment to building more inclusive and participatory communities.
Key themes included:

  • Social inclusion policies aimed at reducing marginalisation, with examples from social services operating in Greek and Italian municipalities.
  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment, with testimonies from female leaders and social workers addressing barriers to participation.
  • Youth participation, promoting Youth Councils, digital education and intergenerational learning.
  • Migrant and minority inclusion, with a focus on Roma mediation, migrant integration programmes and intercultural dialogue.
  • European cooperation, recognising the importance of shared civic tools and cross-border strategies to strengthen democratic participation.
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PARTECIPANTS :

The event brought together:

  • representatives of municipalities from Italy and Greece,
  • women’s associations and gender equality advocates,
  • youth groups and community leaders,
  • social workers and educators,
  • elderly organisations,
  • migrant and minority representatives,
  • NGOs and local civic actors.
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KEY RESULTS OF THE EVENT :

  • Strengthened cooperation among 6 municipalities from Italy and Greece.
  • Improved civic and digital competences among more than 120 active participants.
  • Developed a shared roadmap for inclusive participation tools.
  • Increased engagement of marginalized groups through co-designed workshops.
  • Established the operational basis for the next 3 project events.
  • Welcomed a total of 660 participants across all activities during the 4-day programme.
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OLIMPICEU

THE  EUROPEAN VALUES OLYMPIAD