Political participation, migrant and refugee rights, and democratic inclusion at the centre of GFR’s contribution on 10 October
REGISTER HERE FOR THE TRAINING
The Greek Forum of Refugees (GFR), through its Democracy4all initiative, is pleased to participate in TRANSEUROPA Festival 2026, taking place in Athens from 7 to 11 October under the theme Reclaiming the Cloud(s).
Organised by European Alternatives in cooperation with local and European partners, TRANSEUROPA brings together artists, activists, researchers, civil society organisations and community members through discussions, workshops, assemblies, exhibitions and cultural activities
The festival explores questions concerning democracy, migration, digital rights, the environment and the shared spaces that shape our lives.
GFR will contribute actively to the festival, especially through two events on Saturday, 10 October, bringing together people with migrant and refugee backgrounds, community representatives and participants from across Europe to exchange experiences of political participation and discuss access to political rights.
10 October, 09:30–11:00 | Migrant Political Participation Training
Co-organised by European Alternatives and the Greek Forum of Refugees
This interactive training is designed for people, particularly those with refugee and migrant backgrounds who are interested in political participation, community engagement and representation.
The workshop will explore existing opportunities to participate in political and public life, as well as experiences of campaigning, community organising and standing for election.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from and exchange experiences with:
Maguy Ikulu, a Belgian-Congolese jurist and political scientist who arrived in Belgium as a refugee and now serves as an Ecolo–Groen municipal councillor in Ganshoren, Brussels. Her experience connects refugee and migrant backgrounds with participation in local political institutions
Rasha Shaaban, an Egyptian-Swedish activist and European Alternatives Board Member, who brings experience of intercultural dialogue, community engagement and transnational cooperation.
Yonous Muhammadi, Managing Director of the Greek Forum of Refugees and founder of Democracy4all, who will speak about the political participation of migrants and refugees in Greece and will share his experience of political participation, including his candidacy as an independent figure in the 2019 European Parliament elections in Greece, and discuss the barriers, challenges and opportunities encountered by people with migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Niccolò Milanese, Director of European Alternatives, who will contribute perspectives on political participation and organising across Europe.
The training is part of GFR’s ongoing work through Democracy4all to support political participation, leadership development and self-representation among people with migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Registration is required, and places are limited.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE TRAINING
We particularly encourage people from refugee and migrant communities to register and share the opportunity with others who may be interested.
10 October, 17:00–18:00 | European Call for Migrant and Refugee Political Rights
Later the same day, GFR will participate in a public panel discussion entitled “European Call for Migrant and Refugee Political Rights”
The discussion will explore political participation and electoral rights for migrants and refugees across Europe, including proposals to extend access to voting in local and European elections and opportunities for cooperation between organisations and communities in different countries.
Yonous Muhammadi will present the ongoing initiative in Greece concerning voting rights for migrants and refugees in local elections, including the cooperation between refugee- and migrant-led organisations, communities and other civil society actors.
The panel will also bring together Maguy Ikulu, Rasha Shaaban and other participants to exchange experiences and discuss the possible development of a Europe-wide coalition on migrant and refugee political rights.
The afternoon discussion is open to the public. Join us at TRANSEUROPA!
GFR welcomes the opportunity to work with European Alternatives and other festival partners, connecting its community-based work in Greece with wider European exchanges on democratic participation and political rights.
We invite refugee and migrant communities, young people, civil society organisations, researchers and everyone interested in these issues to take part in the activities on 10 October and explore the wider festival programme.
Festival: 7–11 October 2026, Athens
GFR activities: Saturday, 10 October
