Partners in the CITICESS Project met online on 11 March 2026 to mark the beginning of the project’s follow-up and policy monitoring phase.

The meeting brought together partners from across Europe to review progress, prepare for the closure of the core phase of the project and begin monitoring the policy improvements developed through the project.

Monitoring Policy Improvements

A key focus of the meeting was the presentation of the CITICESS Policy Monitoring Guide, introduced by partners in Galați, Romania.

The guide provides a practical framework for partners to monitor the implementation and impact of policy improvements in their regions. This includes the use of indicators, governance structures and reporting processes designed to support evidence-based policy development.

Partners also discussed preparations for the final reporting of policy improvements as part of the 6th Joint Progress Report, as the core phase of the project comes to a close.

The follow-up phase will now focus on monitoring how the policy improvements developed through CITICESS are implemented at regional level and assessing their impact over time.

Progress Updates from Pilot Actions

During the meeting, the three piloting partners — Ballyhoura Development (Ireland), Zaragoza (Spain) and Galați (Romania) — provided updates on the progress of their pilot actions.

In Galați, the GALASSIST – Galați Social Support Initiative is progressing well, with strong engagement from more than 15 NGOs. Preparations are underway for the first activities scheduled for March 2026, with the initiative aiming to support vulnerable groups through cultural and social activities that reduce isolation and promote inclusion.

In Zaragoza, the pilot action continues to focus on strengthening integrated social services for vulnerable families in the Oliver district. The work builds on community-based interventions and knowledge exchange with Danish partners following a study visit to Aarhus.

Ballyhoura Development Update

For Ballyhoura Development, the  CITICESS project has supported improvements to the delivery of the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the development of the Ballyhoura Breakthrough pilot action in the Northside Estates of Charleville, Co. Cork.

During the meeting, the Ballyhoura team provided an update on progress in implementing this pilot action, which is testing a new family-centred support model inspired by good practices identified through the project’s interregional learning activities.

Looking Ahead

As the project moves into the follow-up phase, Ballyhoura Development and project partners will continue to exchange knowledge and monitor the implementation of their policy improvements.

This stage of the project will focus on understanding what works in practice and how these learnings can strengthen the delivery of citizen-centred social services for vulnerable communities across partner regions.

Ballyhoura Development also looks forward to welcoming project partners to Charleville, Co. Cork in November 2026 for the CITICESS closing event. The event will bring together partners and stakeholders from across Europe to reflect on the project’s achievements, share lessons learned and highlight how the project has supported improvements in citizen-centred social services across participating regions.

Read More About CITICESS Project