The project “Giving Voice to People Experiencing Poverty” aims to involve socially excluded individuals in decision-making processes by providing them with a platform to share their lived experiences, challenges, and proposals directly with policymakers. In poverty reduction efforts, it is essential to listen to those who face these issues daily, as their insights help identify systemic gaps and contribute to the development of more effective solutions.
Throughout the project, six meetings were held in Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Vilkaviškis, Telšiai, Tauragė, and Vilnius. Around 65 people experiencing poverty and approximately 20 decision-makers from ministries, municipalities, and other institutions participated. The discussions primarily focused on challenges faced by children, youth, and families, as well as issues related to low income, access to social services, housing, and education.
During the meetings, individual cases were also addressed – support was provided to access social benefits, improve living conditions, or receive necessary assistance. Participants’ experiences and proposals were summarized in dedicated publications, which contribute to the improvement of social policy. All meetings were conducted based on open dialogue, aiming to develop policies grounded in real-life experiences.