The work of the Regional Observatory for Social Inclusion of the Region of Crete, which is funded by the “Crete” Programme 2021–2027 of the European Social Fund+, was presented to the Director for Greece and Cyprus of the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, Ms. Cristiana Costinescu.

The information meeting was held at the offices of the Special Management Service of the “Crete” Program, in the presence of the Director of the Service, Maria Kasotaki, and EYD executives.

The presentation was made by the Head of the Observatory, Dr. Aikaterini Vlasaki, and Dr. Angelos Loukakis and focused on the role of the Observatory as a regional mechanism for documentation, monitoring and support of social policy planning.

Particular emphasis was placed on the innovative methodological approach developed by the Region of Crete through the Regional Observatory for Social Inclusion, which was presented as a good practice for knowledge production and the design of evidence-based policies. An important pillar of this approach is the Observatory’s research activity, which is implemented in collaboration with the Laboratory of Social Analysis and Applied Social Research of the University of Crete, with Professor Yannis Zaimakis as scientific director.

The development of specialized indicators of living conditions at the level of the Regional Unit was also presented, within the framework of a special collaboration between the Region of Crete and the Regional Observatory of Social Inclusion with ELSTAT. This approach is based on an integrated spatial social intelligence model that combines administrative data, specialized field surveys, consultation processes, mapping of services and social needs, as well as modern geospatial analysis tools, producing data, indicators and spatial analyses that allow the understanding of social conditions down to the community and neighborhood level.

The discussion highlighted the Observatory’s contribution to the design and support of initiatives funded through the “Crete” Programme 2021–2027 and other financial instruments, confirming its active role in shaping evidence-based interventions at local and regional level. This experience demonstrates the gradual integration of the knowledge produced into the social and development planning of the Region of Crete, strengthening social cohesion, spatial and social justice and a fairer distribution of available resources.