Study Visits

GREEN -  Athens Energy Poverty Alleviation Centre

This site visit will showcase the Energy Poverty Alleviation Office (EPAO)’s integrated policy approach to ensuring a fair and inclusive energy transition, linking climate action with social cohesion and energy justice. Drawing on the experience of the EU-funded POWERPOOR project, participants will explore innovative, transferable solutions to address energy poverty and empower energy-vulnerable households. Recognised as a best practice at both national and European levels, EPAO's multi-stakeholder governance model demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can support local implementation of the European Green Deal and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This site visit will offer participants an overview of EPAO's role, policies, and initiatives in promoting social inclusion and energy transition. The programme includes a presentation and analysis of EPAO's key actions, policies, and projects, a showcase of its measures and benefits, meetings with stakeholders and beneficiaries, and interactive discussions to encourage knowledge exchange, peer learning, and participant engagement.

YELLOW - Building an inclusive local support ecosystem – The Migrant Integration Centre (KEM) and the Athens Coordination Centre for Migrants and Refugee issues (ACCMR)

How can cities ensure that migrants and refugees can effectively access essential services, exercise their rights and participate in local life? The City of Athens has developed a multi-actor approach that brings together municipal services and civil society organisations to support integration and address the complex and interconnected needs of migrant and refugee communities.

The site visit will take place at the Migrant Integration Centre (KEM) in Maizonos Street, which hosts front-desk services and a range of integration activities, with the participation of the Athens Coordination Centre for Migrants and Refugees Issues (ACCMR). Participants will have the opportunity to visit the facilities and explore how the two structures contribute to a coordinated local approach to migrant inclusion.

A particular focus will be placed on the cooperation between the City of Athens and civil society organisations, and on how this partnership is translated into concrete integration measures for third-country nationals. The visit will showcase the methodologies, services and practical tools used to bring support closer to people, improve access to information and services, and create pathways towards social inclusion and participation.
It will provide an opportunity to discuss how cities can move beyond fragmented service provision and develop more integrated, accessible and people-centred local support ecosystems, particularly for people facing multiple barriers to accessing essential services and social rights.

Depending on the final programme, the visit could also include an introduction to the Municipal Roma Branch, located at the same premises, or to the 1st Community Centre, located approximately five minutes away at the Liosion building. This would offer participants a broader perspective on how different municipal services can work together at neighbourhood level to respond to diverse forms of vulnerability and exclusion.

BLUE - Athens Multidisciplinary Health Centres 

The Municipal Multidisciplinary Health Centres of the City of Athens provide an integrated, community-based model of primary healthcare and social support, with a particular focus on ensuring access to essential services for vulnerable and socially excluded groups.

The centres provide free primary healthcare and preventive health services, alongside psychosocial support, social counselling, legal and employment advice, information on social benefits, and referrals to other public services and civil society organisations. This integrated approach aims to address not only people’s immediate health needs, but also the wider social and economic factors that can contribute to poverty, exclusion and inequalities in access to essential services.

This approach is particularly relevant when considering children and families experiencing vulnerability, as health inequalities can be closely interconnected with wider social and economic challenges affecting the household. By bringing healthcare, psychosocial support and links to social services closer to residents, municipal structures can contribute to earlier identification of needs and to more coordinated pathways of support for vulnerable individuals and families.

The site visit will provide participants with the opportunity to explore how a city can bring health and social services closer to residents through local, accessible and people-centred structures. It will showcase the experience of Athens in addressing barriers to healthcare and social support, particularly for vulnerable groups, and in connecting medical care with wider social services and pathways to support.
The visit will include a presentation of the Municipal Multidisciplinary Health Centres, a tour of the facilities (at the 6th Municipal Health Centre, Chanion 4, Athens 112 57) and an exchange with health and social care professionals on how the centres identify local needs, provide integrated support and connect residents with other services.

The visit will offer an opportunity to discuss how municipalities can strengthen inclusive access to essential services, address health and social inequalities at neighbourhood level, and develop integrated, family- and community-centred responses to poverty and social exclusion.

 

Social Events

Informal Dinner (at participants own cost) on 19 October

Get together with fellow participants after a busy day of productive discussions to enjoy a delightful meal accompanied by a glass of Greek wine at one of the restaurants in the city center.

For your convenience, we prepared a List of Restaurants located in the city center of Athens. ​​​

Official Dinner on 10 October

We are excited to welcome you to the Official Dinner, which will be held at Rhoé – Ermou 92 & Pittaki Street.