Author: Malin Roiha, UB

In the first half of 2025, the EXIT project will launch a dynamic series of workshops across eight countries, bridging the gap between research and real-world impact. This activity is coordinated by the European Anti-Poverty Network in Spain. This collaborative workshop series is designed not only to analyse territorial inequalities but also to create concrete pathways for change. By engaging decision-makers, local residents and key social actors, the EXIT project is fostering a participatory process that turns research into action. The insights gained from these workshops will provide a crucial foundation for policy recommendations and future interventions aimed at reducing territorial inequalities across Europe.

Returning research to the community

The first step in this process is bringing research results back to participants through an initial workshop in each of the 17 research areas, with the aim to involve all the research participants from the previous fieldwork. This step is essential to ensure that research is a collaborative effort rather than a one-way extraction of knowledge. Instead of merely presenting findings, these workshops actively involve participants in interpreting results, discussing their implications, and exploring practical applications. They will also lay the groundwork for deeper discussions in the next phases of the project.

A participatory approach

Following the initial workshops, 34 participatory workshops will take place across Europe—two in each of the 17 research areas. Each workshop will bring together 8 participants selected from the fieldwork sites, ensuring diverse and representative voices are heard. Attendees will include local residents and key stakeholders such as civil society organizations and policymakers, fostering a holistic and inclusive dialogue.

National workshops

After the local participatory workshops, each country will establish a working group composed of representatives from previous discussions. These groups will participate in national workshops online, where they will consolidate key insights and develop recommendations for effective policies, strategies, and practices. The findings will be compiled into country reports, which will serve as the basis for cross-country learning and inform discussions at the international level.

International workshop: Assessing transferability

The process will culminate in an International Workshop organized in Rome in June 2025, bringing together 2 to 4 representatives from each country. This final stage will focus on evaluating the adaptability and transferability of successful strategies to different areas and contexts. Key topics will include governance models, policy frameworks, and collaborative practices, with the aim of identifying pathways for broader implementation.