Inclusion starts with the people who make up our communities. When local actors, institutions, and migrant voices come together to build solutions, integration becomes a shared achievement, not just a policy goal. That spirit is at the heart of KMOP’s new initiative “EPIC-UP”, through which is building local networks for migrant inclusion that are practical, participatory, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
This collaborative endeavor brought together 10 organizations from across Europe for two impactful field visits, first in Spain, then in Greece. As coordinator of the Greek Community of Practice (CoPs) in Greece, KMOP brought together municipal leaders, NGOs, and refugee-led initiatives to exchange hands-on knowledge with peers from Spain and Italy. These visits offered more than inspiration—they delivered tangible insights, tools, and partnerships that will shape future integration strategies on the ground.
From Greece to Spain: Sharing Experiences Rooted in Local Realities
From 16 to 19 June 2025, representatives of KMOP and seven members of the Greek Community of Practice (an organised network of professionals, institutions, local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders engaged in the integration of migrants and refugees in Greece), in collaboration with the Municipal Welfare Enterprise of Piraeus (KODEP), visited Salamanca. There, they met with municipal authorities, civil society organisations, and members of migrant communities, highlighting the value of collaboration between public institutions and grassroots initiatives. They also engaged in discussions with migrants about the challenges they face in their integration journeys.
KMOP Hosts Italian Organisations in Athens: Presenting Innovative Local Practices
From 30 June to 3 July 2025, KMOP hosted a delegation from the Italian Community of Practice in Athens, organising an extensive programme of visits across the Athens and Piraeus areas. One of the highlights of the visit was the guided tour of KMOP’s Women and Girls Friendly Space in Faliro. This centre serves as a hub for empowerment, creativity, and psychosocial support, offering workshops aimed at skill development and confidence-building for women and girls with a migrant background.
The Italian team also visited organisations that actively address migrant integration, including: Velos Youth, Odyssea, and METAdrasi. In Piraeus, they were welcomed at the KODEP offices, where municipal representatives presented local integration initiatives. The President of the Municipal Council for Migrants and Refugees also discussed integration efforts at the local level. The visit concluded with a Greek language class at the Piraeus Community Centre and a visit to the Greek Forum of Refugees.
The European Initiative EPIC-UP
These actions took place in the framework of the European initiative EPIC-UP, which aims to create Communities of Practice with the participation of migrants, civil society organisations, local authorities, and policy-makers. Through its participation in the programme, KMOP strengthens transnational dialogue and actively contributes to the development of sustainable, innovative, and participatory integration solutions.
For more information about the project and upcoming activities, please visit KMOP’s website or contact: [email protected].