Problem addressed

The Regional Social Inclusion Observatory of the South Aegean Region, established under Article 14 of (Greek) Law n. 4445/2016 (A'236), plays a crucial role within the National Mechanism for Coordination, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion Policies. The Regional Social Inclusion Observatory of the South Aegean Region addresses several deficiencies identified in local social policy support. By tackling these shortcomings, the Observatory aims to strengthen social inclusion and cohesion, improve the effectiveness of social policies, and support the overall well-being of residents in the South Aegean Region.

Innovative solution

The Observatory implements a holistic approach towards the development of interconnected tools to support its aims in the following areas: 

• Poverty and Social Exclusion: It targets the pervasive issues of poverty and social exclusion, mapping and analyzing their spatial dimensions to identify the most affected areas and populations.
• Social Protection and Welfare Needs: The Observatory identifies and highlights unmet local needs in social protection, welfare, and solidarity policies. 
• Data Fragmentation and Coordination: It has developed and maintains a database that monitors key socioeconomic indicators in the Region, due to the lack of operation of the Unified Geoinformation System of the National Mechanism.
• Labor Market Integration: The Observatory develops and implements tools and indicators to monitor and enhance the social integration processes of beneficiaries, with a specific emphasis on their integration into the labor market and the promotion of economic activity.
• Awareness and Information Dissemination: It addresses the lack of awareness and information dissemination by actively informing stakeholders and the public about social inclusion and cohesion policies, ensuring broad engagement and understanding.

Key results and benefits

The Regional Social Inclusion Observatory of the South Aegean Region has accomplished the following:

• Conducted four (4) regional income surveys.
• Carried out three (3) on-site surveys to record poverty levels in the municipalities (islands) of the region.
• Documented significant best practices in the field of social inclusion.
• Enhanced its digital presence by creating an electronic portal (https://socialobservatory.pnai.gov.gr/en/) and developing informational and communication applications for the public, including a social data dashboard and a digital assistant.
• Implemented eight (8) communication and dissemination activities in the social integration field, including one workshop dedicated on social innovation. 

Evidence shows that these efforts have led to enhanced communication among local stakeholders, increased trust in local social support providers and greater awareness of local social integration challenges. 

Potential for mainstreaming

The Observatory is active in further mainstreaming its efforts through:

• Policy Integration: Embed its findings into regional and national social policies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthen partnerships with local authorities, NGOs, and community groups through stakeholder engagement activities.
• Capacity Building: Train local social support providers using its data and tools through specialized workshops
• Public Awareness: Run open communication and dissemination activities to educate communities about social integration challenges and solutions.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use the data it has collected to inform government policies.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuously assess and adjust social inclusion initiatives based on the observed data continuing the annual publication of thematic and on-site studies.
• Digital Expansion: Enhance and promote its digital tools for better information access (implementation of a digital citizen card for accessing social policy programs and applications for Stakeholder Connectivity).