ROMACT workshops in Greece 2-4 July 2026
From 2 to 4 July 2026, the Joint European Union and Council of Europe ROMACT Programme organised a three day series of workshops in Nafplio, Greece, bringing together municipalities, national authorities, Roma community representatives and specialised institutions. The workshops focused on community initiatives, local governance for Roma inclusion, and child rights protection in vulnerable communities.
Workshop on Community Initiatives: Towards Sustainability and Impact (2 July 2026) focused on strengthening Roma led social economy initiatives and supporting their transition from ideas to viable enterprises. The workshop provided hands on guidance on project readiness, budgeting, documentation and partnership building — essential steps for transforming community initiatives into sustainable enterprises.
National Workshop: Building Partnerships, Advancing Inclusion, Creating Pathways (3 July 2026). The second workshop brought together political leaders, municipal representatives, national authorities and civil society representatives to review the progress of ROMACT pilot implementation in Greece. Throughout the day, participants examined the concrete outputs and tools developed under ROMACT, including the small grants, emerging Roma led social cooperative initiatives, training activities and strengthened consultation mechanisms. The participants also discussed how local priorities identified through ROMACT are being translated into Local Action Plans, project concepts and municipal follow up. The workshop further explored political and institutional commitment, municipal ownership, coordination with national and regional authorities, and the sustainability of ROMACT working methods beyond 2026. National experts presented opportunities under ESF+/ERDF programmes, debated implementation challenges in summer camps, experiential workshops and Roma Neighbourhood Centres.
Workshop on Local Level Support for the Protection of Children’s Rights in Vulnerable Communities (4 July 2026). The final workshop focused on child rights protection, bringing together local authorities, social services, education actors, police child protection units and Roma community representatives.
The three workshops marked an important milestone for Greece’s participating municipalities. By bringing together multiple levels of governance and placing Roma communities at the centre, the events reinforced shared responsibility and collective action for inclusion. The insights gathered over the three days will feed into the final phase of ROMACT implementation in Greece, helping ensure that the Programme’s impact remains durable, locally owned, and responsive to community needs.
