What do you need to make you feel even more at home in Heraklion?

On Thursday, May 11th , Decidim, a participatory digital platform, was presented to the Migrant and Refugee Integration Council of Heraklion Municipality by Symbiosis – Council of Europe School of Political Studies in Greece. This innovative platform aims to empower migrant integration by promoting active citizenship and digital participation, while also providing a space for the collection of ideas, suggestions, and proposals for solutions. With a focus on transparency, inclusiveness, and collaboration, Decidim equips migrants, citizens and organizations with powerful tools to facilitate decision-making processes and foster a culture of dialogue.

In discussions on migrant integration, it is crucial to recognize the significance of active citizenship and digital empowerment, while being mindful of the potential risk of prioritizing e-enabling over meaningful engagement and empowerment. Macintosh’s tripartition of e-participation (e-enabling, e-engaging and e-empowerment) highlights the prevailing focus on service provision, which can overshadow civic and political involvement. To address this imbalance, it is important to go beyond mere e-enabling and emphasize the value of e-engaging and e-empowerment.

In this regard, the introduction of Decidim goes beyond service provision, fostering meaningful participation and inclusive democracy. By actively involving migrants in co-designing and co-producing processes, the Decidim platform aims to empower their voices, promote their active participation, and shape inclusive communities where their perspectives are valued.