OLYMPICEU – The European Values Olympiad

OLYMPICEU – The European Values Olympiad is a European cooperation project implemented under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme of the European Union.

The project promotes active citizenship, democratic participation and cooperation between local authorities and citizens through a structured transnational programme involving partner municipalities in Greece and Italy. Its implementation follows the objectives, work plan and methodology established in the Grant Agreement and has been carried out through four successive transnational events, each dedicated to a specific thematic priority.

The project is coordinated by the Hellenic-Italian Chamber of Commerce of Athens (Ellino-Italiko Epimelitirio Athina), which leads the implementation of the activities together with the partner municipalities.

Project Implementation

The implementation of OLYMPICEU has been organised through four transnational meetings, progressively addressing complementary dimensions of democratic participation and inclusive local governance.

1st Transnational Event

Increasing Civic Engagement among Marginalized Groups

Ancient Olympia (main location), with activities also implemented in Pyrgos and Andravida-Kyllini (Greece)

9–12 October 2025

The first event represented the initial operational phase of the project. Activities focused on analysing barriers affecting civic participation among marginalized and underrepresented groups through institutional meetings, participatory workshops, field activities and facilitated discussions involving citizens, local authorities and stakeholders from Greece and Italy. The event established the methodological foundation for the subsequent phases of the project by identifying the principal challenges affecting inclusive civic engagement.

2nd Transnational Event

Promoting Social Inclusion and Accessible Civic Participation

Pyrgos (Greece)

24–28 January 2026

Building upon the outcomes of the first meeting, the second transnational event focused on transforming the barriers previously identified into practical reflections and operational approaches aimed at improving accessibility and social inclusion within civic participation processes. Workshops, thematic sessions and exchanges between partner municipalities contributed to developing initial proposals for more inclusive local governance.

3rd Transnational Event

Promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Andravida-Kyllini (Greece)

7–9 March 2026

The third implementation phase introduced a specific focus on gender equality in civic leadership and women’s participation in local governance. Through institutional sessions, participatory workshops and co-creation activities, participants analysed structural and cultural barriers affecting women’s participation in decision-making processes and developed initial proposals aimed at promoting more balanced and inclusive governance practices.

4th Transnational Event

Building Trust between Citizens and Local Authorities

Crotone (main location), with activities also implemented in Cirò Marina and Squillace (Italy)

29 March – 1 April 2026

The fourth and final transnational event concluded the implementation phase of OLYMPICEU by focusing on strengthening trust between citizens and local authorities through structured dialogue, participatory engagement and improved communication practices. The activities consolidated the results achieved throughout the project and reinforced participatory governance, transparency and cooperation between institutions and local communities.

Project Results

Throughout its implementation, OLYMPICEU progressively developed a common participatory methodology based on four interconnected thematic priorities:

  • increasing civic engagement among marginalized groups;

  • promoting social inclusion and accessible participation;

  • advancing gender equality and women’s participation in civic leadership;

  • strengthening trust between citizens and local authorities.

The activities were implemented through workshops, institutional meetings, participatory discussions, field visits and co-creation sessions involving citizens, local authorities, stakeholders and representatives of the partner municipalities from Greece and Italy. Across all implementation phases, the project maintained full consistency with the objectives and work plan defined in the Grant Agreement.

Official Project Website

The official OLYMPICEU project website serves as the central communication and dissemination platform for all project activities.

Visitors can access:

  • detailed information about the project objectives and partnership;

  • descriptions of the four transnational events;

  • news and project updates;

  • official deliverables and public reports;

  • photo galleries and communication materials;

  • information on the municipalities and partner organisations involved in the project.

Official website:
https://www.olympiceu.eu

The website is continuously updated with project news, dissemination activities and publicly available results, ensuring transparency, accessibility and compliance with the communication and visibility requirements of the European Union CERV Programme.

This project has received funding from the European Union under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

© 2025 Ellino-Italiko Epimelitirio Athina – Project Coordinator of OLYMPICEU.

Concept and Project Design by Paolo A.M. Ferrise – www.eu20.eu