Information and Awareness-Raising Workshop for Local Authorities and Services on the Integration of Third-Country Nationals

SolidarityNow, as an implementing partner of the integration project “HELIOS+: Comprehensive Integration Actions for Third-Country Nationals into the Labour Market” in the Region of Central Macedonia, organised the workshop “Thessaloniki for All: Building Inclusive Communities” at Thessaloniki City Hall. The event was attended by representatives from public administration, local authorities, migrant communities, civil society organisations, and educators.

At a time when local communities are called upon to respond to complex social needs, strengthening integration mechanisms and fostering collaboration between stakeholders is essential for social cohesion and development.

The event opened with greetings from Mr. Spyros Vougias, President of the Municipal Council of Thessaloniki; Mr. Nasos Vitsentzatos, General Director of Migration Policy at the Ministry of Migration and Asylum; and Ms. Lidija Markovic, Integration Programmes Coordinator at the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece).

Mr. Nasos Vitsentzatos emphasised the importance of linking pre-integration processes with urban fabric and highlighted the need to evaluate integration programmes after their completion to measure their impact.

During his speech, Mr. Efthymios Chatzitheoklitos, Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Solidarity & Welfare of Thessaloniki, underlined the city’s historically multicultural identity and its role in implementing social integration policies. As he noted: “The Municipality’s role is to demonstrate respect for diversity, in a city where repatriated and Albanian communities have shaped its identity.”

Ms. Marina Donopoulou, Regional Coordinator of the HELIOS+ project at IOM Greece, spoke about the project’s importance and challenges. Funded by the European Social Fund+ and implemented by IOM in Central Macedonia and 11 other regions, HELIOS+ aims to support the social and economic integration of third-country nationals. She stressed: “Our mission in HELIOS+ is complex, multi-layered, and requires the coordinated contribution of all partners. Together, we share the responsibility for the smooth social integration of those we support, developing the necessary synergies.”

Ms. Eleni Athanasiadou from the Department of Social Policy & Public Health of the Municipality of Thermi added: “The Thermi Community Centre is the first point of contact for any citizen in need of support.” Ms. Maria Terzoudi from the Migrant Integration Center (KEM) in Kordelio-Evosmos, shared field experience: “KEM serves as the local reference point for information, support, counselling, and referral of migrants and refugees to other services and programmes. Collaboration and networking with other organisations is critical, as the needs of individuals often exceed the basic services a KEM can provide.”

Special attention was given to the challenges of social integration and the existing institutional gap that prevents access to programmes for individuals who do not meet specific criteria, such as elderly people with vulnerabilities and health issues, who are unable to work and therefore remain without support.

The discussion confirmed that integration requires collaboration, flexibility, and solutions that respond to people’s real needs. SolidarityNow is committed to continuing to build bridges between communities and the State and to promoting practices that strengthen the social participation of all.

The event was carried out with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – Greece Mission, for the implementation of the project “Helios+: Integrated actions for the inclusion of third-country nationals into the labor market” in the Region of Central Macedonia, with OPS Code 6018682 under the Programme “Central Macedonia 2021–2027.”

The implementation of Helios+ in the Region of Central Macedonia is carried out by a consortium of organizations led by SolidarityNow, in collaboration with the Major Development Agency Thessaloniki (MDAT S.A.), the YMCA of Thessaloniki, and Caritas Hellas.