PYLON ONE with the support of the Municipality of Skydra organized the conference titled “United under the perspective of Peace, Equality and Equity” as part of the European program named “PeaceUp.” The event took place in Thessaloniki and Skydra on May 20, 21 and 22 of 2025.

From May 20 to 22, 2025, PYLON ONE, with the support of the Municipality of Skydra, successfully organized the international event PeaceUp EquiGala: United under the Perspective of Peace, Equality, and Equity. The three-day gathering, held across Thessaloniki and Skydra, took place within the framework of the European program PeaceUp, funded under the CERV–Town Twinning initiative. It brought together municipalities, NGOs, civil society representatives, educators, and citizens from across Europe in an impressive demonstration of collaborative efforts to advance the principles of peace, equality, and equity. More than 250 participants, representing five different EU countries, took part in the event, reflecting both its inclusive nature and its broad European scope.

The partner consortium included five EU countries: Greece, Bulgaria, Spain, Slovenia, and Italy. Participating local governments were the Municipality of Skydra, the Municipality of Strumyani, the Ayuntamiento de Dolores, the Municipality of Novo Mesto, and the Municipality of Penne. These institutions were supported by non-governmental organizations, including PYLON ONE of Greece as lead coordinator and ZAVOD BOTER from Slovenia. Together, they formed a strong transnational partnership designed to explore how European values of inclusion and solidarity can be translated into meaningful local and regional action.

The EquiGala opened in Thessaloniki with welcoming remarks delivered by Konstantinos Symeonidis, President of PYLON ONE, who warmly welcomed participants and underlined the power of cooperation among European towns in promoting peace and social cohesion. His address highlighted the essential role of cross-border partnerships in shaping sustainable and inclusive communities. Following this, the event agenda was presented, outlining the core objectives of PeaceUp, focused on promoting peace, equality, and equity, and offering participants a clear understanding of the program’s mission.

During the introductory session, representatives from each partner municipality, Skydra, Strumyani, Dolores, Novo Mesto, and Penne, shared insights into their local initiatives that advance equity, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence. These presentations reflected diverse local realities but also pointed to shared challenges and promising solutions, demonstrating how municipalities across Europe are actively working to foster solidarity and inclusivity.

The program continued with expert-led sessions on themes central to the PeaceUp mission. Political scientist and policy analyst Nikolaos Deligiannis delivered a speech on advancing gender equality in Europe, presenting strategies to address disparities and positioning gender justice as a cornerstone of peacebuilding. This was followed by a presentation by policy advisor and civic education expert Eftychia Goutakoli, who focused on the importance of equity in education and the workforce, emphasizing how inclusive educational and professional opportunities can reduce systemic inequalities and foster social stability.

After a short break, participants reconvened for a keynote address on peacebuilding through inclusive decision-making, delivered by a specialist in European peace-based leadership. This session outlined actionable strategies for embedding inclusive practices in governance, with a strong emphasis on participatory processes and community engagement. The following presentation, delivered by EU regional development expert Dimitra Fantidou, examined the relationship between democracy, populism, and gender justice within the European regional ecosystem, exploring the complexities of current political dynamics and the necessity of inclusive approaches in countering populist trends.

The first day concluded with a workshop on designing inclusive local policies, moderated by trainer Aikaterini Solomonidou, who guided participants through practical exercises and collaborative discussions. This interactive session allowed attendees to co-create strategies for equity-driven municipal policies, ensuring that theoretical discussions were translated into tangible outcomes. The evening ended with a welcome dinner, fostering informal interactions and intercultural exchange among participants.

The second day unfolded in Thessaloniki with a series of roundtable discussions. The first session highlighted municipal initiatives advancing gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and anti-discrimination, while the second explored how European Union mechanisms can better support and replicate successful local equity models. These conversations encouraged participants to exchange practical solutions and reflect on policy frameworks at both the local and European levels. The day continued with an action-planning session, where ideas generated during the discussions were presented, refined, and evaluated, ensuring that participants left with concrete strategies. Following a break, the afternoon featured a keynote on peacebuilding through inclusive governance and another on democracy, populism, and gender justice, followed by a hands-on workshop designed to equip municipalities with tools for creating inclusive local policies. A cultural dinner brought the day to a close, celebrating diversity and strengthening the bonds among participants.

On the third and final day, the event moved to Skydra, where participants engaged in a study visit to the municipality and the regional departments of Central Macedonia. This offered a firsthand perspective on local governance, social welfare programs, and equity-oriented initiatives in action, showcasing how administrative structures can contribute to resilient and cohesive communities. The program then shifted to a debatable forum on the evolution of feminist movements, from eco-feminism to digital activism, inviting participants to reflect on how feminist ideas continue to adapt to contemporary challenges. An interactive exchange session followed, focusing on local initiatives in Skydra that promote solidarity, inclusion, and civic resilience, offering concrete examples of how municipal and community efforts can support marginalized groups and foster trust.

The EquiGala concluded with a closing ceremony, during which participants reflected on the achievements of the three-day event, expressed gratitude to the organizing bodies, and reaffirmed their commitment to the shared goals of peace, equality, and equity. The ceremony celebrated the strengthened connections forged among municipalities and organizations and sent participants home with renewed determination to apply the knowledge and strategies gained during the event to their own communities.

The dissemination of PeaceUp outcomes extended well beyond the event itself. Highlights were shared through the official website, social media platforms, newsletters, and traditional media. Local outlets covered the gathering, and press releases were distributed to ensure widespread visibility. Photos, videos, and digital summaries of key sessions were compiled and made publicly available, providing inspiration and reference materials for other municipalities interested in fostering inclusive, equity-driven policies.

PeaceUp EquiGala ultimately demonstrated that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the active cultivation of equality, inclusivity, and solidarity at every level of society. Over the course of three days, participants from diverse backgrounds engaged in meaningful dialogue, exchanged innovative ideas, and built long-lasting connections. With PYLON ONE and the Municipality of Skydra at its core, the event showcased how town twinning and civil society partnerships can move beyond ceremonial ties to create genuine platforms for critical dialogue, community learning, and sustainable cooperation. As participants return to their home countries, they carry with them renewed inspiration and practical tools to strengthen local policies, deepen solidarity, and contribute to building a more just, harmonious, and resilient Europe.

The opening day in Thessaloniki set the tone for the event. Following the welcome by Konstantinos Symeonidis, President of PYLON ONE, participants were introduced to the aims of PeaceUp. Each partner municipality presented its local efforts to promote equity and inclusion, providing a comparative view of how European towns address similar challenges in different contexts. Expert contributions followed: Nikolaos Deligiannis examined strategies for gender equality in Europe, Eftychia Goutakoli underlined the importance of equal access to education and employment, and Dimitra Fantidou analyzed the impact of populism and democracy on gender justice in the European regional context. The day concluded with a practical workshop on inclusive local policymaking, moderated by Aikaterini Solomonidou, and a welcome dinner that encouraged informal exchanges among participants.

The second day, also in Thessaloniki, was dedicated to dialogue and collaborative planning. Roundtable discussions addressed municipal initiatives on gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-discrimination, as well as the ways in which EU mechanisms can replicate successful practices across Europe. An action-oriented session allowed participants to refine these ideas into concrete strategies. In the evening, keynote addresses explored inclusive governance and the challenges of democracy and populism, followed by a hands-on policy design workshop. A cultural dinner celebrated diversity and strengthened the spirit of cooperation.

The final day took place in Skydra. A working visit to the Municipality and the regional departments of Central Macedonia gave participants an inside look at local governance and social welfare programs. A forum on feminist movements, from eco-feminism to digital activism, sparked reflection on the evolving nature of feminist thought, while an exchange session highlighted local projects in Skydra that build solidarity and civic resilience. The event closed with a formal ceremony, where participants reviewed the achievements of the three days and renewed their commitment to shared European values.