Launching the IDEAL Pilots in Thessaloniki: Voices, Access, and Co-Creation in Action

The IDEAL project has officially kicked off its pilot phase in Thessaloniki, marking an exciting step forward in building more inclusive and participatory spaces for dialogue. In close collaboration with the association ANORASIS, a group of people with visual impairments came together to set the foundations of the pilot and begin a process that places lived experience at the center.

From the very first session, the tone was clear: this is not just about testing a platform — it is about shaping it together.

Participants engaged in open, structured discussions, sharing insights, expectations, and real-life challenges. The dialogue has already begun to take form, with valuable feedback collected on the platform’s usability, accessibility features, and its potential applications in everyday civic participation.

Accessibility was not treated as a technical requirement, but as a lived reality. Through the contributions of the group, concrete observations emerged — what works, what needs improvement, and what truly makes a digital space inclusive and meaningful.

Importantly, the design and facilitation of the session were grounded in the Pilot Guidelines developed by the project team. Techniques drawn from this framework helped structure the dialogue, support equal participation, and create a safe and engaging environment for all participants. This ensured that the process was not only open, but also methodologically sound and inclusive by design.

At the same time, the process has already produced its first tangible outcome: an initial report capturing key reflections, suggestions, and directions for further development. This early output reflects exactly what IDEAL aims to achieve — co-creation in practice, not just in theory.

The energy in the room was strong, the discussions honest, and the willingness to contribute even stronger. This is only the beginning.

As the pilot continues — both in person and online — the collective effort will now move toward shaping the next rounds of consultations, deepening the dialogue, and turning ideas into actionable improvements.

IDEAL is unfolding exactly where it matters most: in the voices of the people involved.