Civic and Political Participation in Local Governance in Greece

Civic and political participation are fundamental to democratic governance, fostering inclusivity and collective decision-making. However, barriers to participation often limit engagement, particularly for underrepresented communities. This presentation is based on research conducted at the local level in Greece to assess citizen participation in decision-making processes. The study aimed to gather insights through personal interviews with decision-makers, civil society organization (CSO) leaders, and local authority (LA) officials to understand diverse perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and needs in political and civic engagement. Civic and political participation refers to the active engagement of citizens in governance processes, influencing public policies, and decision-making. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that governance remains transparent, accountable, and responsive to citizens' needs. This research emphasizes participation trends at the local level in Greece and highlights varying levels of involvement across communities. The study used a qualitative approach, collecting data through personal interviews with key stakeholders, including decision-makers, CSO leaders, and LA officers. This method captured detailed insights into the lived experiences, perspectives, and challenges related to civic and political engagement at the local level. Focus was given to rates of political and civic participation on different demographic factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic background, to identify obstacles and challenges for underrepresented communities, such as migrants, women, young people, and older citizens and structural barriers, such as lack of information and support systems, reduced opportunities for meaningful engagement. Also, the study aims to explore already existing inspiring practices designed and implemented to boost civic engagement and recommendations for enhancing participation This presentation aims to highlight the importance of fostering civic and political participation at the local level through a comprehensive understanding of existing barriers and successful practices. By addressing systemic challenges and implementing inclusive strategies, local governance can become more representative and equitable.