Towards meaningful participation: lessons from the COP on Material Support

The Community of Practice on Material Support event, themed “Involving the target group: from decision-making to the provision of support,” brought together a diverse array of stakeholders to discuss on crucial aspects of material support and participation. The event took place on 10-11 April in Athens, Greece. In total, 69 guests from 18 countries participated in the event.

The event started with an opening address by Cristiana Costinescu, Deputy Head of Unit for Greece, European Commission, Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Family and Social Cohesion, Greece and Charalampos Bonanos, Deputy Regional Governor of Western Greece Region, welcoming participants to the insightful discussions ahead. Key presentations included an overview of the Material Support System in Greece by representatives from the Managing Authority, Western Greece Region and the Municipality of Katerini, shedding light on the operational details and beneficiary-focused initiatives.

Dr. Agathe Osinski’s presentation on the theoretical framework surrounding the participation of vulnerable groups provided a robust foundation for subsequent discussions. Dr. Osinski discussed the concept of participation and highlighted the main arguments in favour of involving the target group.She argued that high levels of participation lead to better results in social policy programmes, emphasising the importance of responsiveness.

Participants in the panel discussion discussed the importance of the target group’s involvement at different levels and explored participation initiatives among stakeholders. It was agreed that improving participation is crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of material support programmes. Participants highlighted that all stakeholders are responsible for meaningful participation.

During interactive workshops, participants had an opportunity to try different participative methodologies while discussing the key question on how to achieve higher and more inclusive participation of the target group in material assistance programme planning and implementation, emphasizing collaborative solutions and best practices to overcome participation barriers.

During the site visits the participants had the opportunity to visit the Expanded Community Center of the Municipality of Fili, the Network for Children’s Rights, the Development Association of Western Athens (ASDA), and the IASIS NGO. These visits provided firsthand insights into innovative approaches and holistic support mechanisms implemented to empower vulnerable communities.

The CoP on Material Support event served as a platform for fruitful exchanges, inspiring collaborations, and collective learning. As stakeholders return to their respective roles, the insights and practical knowledge gained during the event will foster broader involvement of the target group at various levels, thus contributing to more effective material support programmes and more inclusive communities.