“Social Inclusion and Sustainable Communities in Twin Municipalities”
Social Inclusion and Sustainable Communities – November 14, 2025 – Online Conference
Gyula Város Önkormányzata organized an online conference on November 14, 2025, titled SUSCOMNET (Project ID: 101138675) – Social Inclusion and Sustainable Communities. The sister city meeting focused on the European challenges of sustainable urban development and social inclusion.
In addition to Gyula, representatives from Komárom, Wągrowiec, Miercurea Ciuc (Csíkszereda), Covasna (Kovászna), and Zrenjanin (Nagybecskerek) participated in the event. Experts and civil actors from these settlements jointly sought answers on how to strengthen local communities, support vulnerable groups, and expand opportunities for social participation.
Strengthening Communities – A Shared Responsibility
The comprehensive goal of the conference was to increase the resilience of local communities, encourage innovation in educational and social systems, and deepen partnership collaborations. The presentations covered a wide spectrum: they addressed digital access, civil cooperation, youth services, elderly care, perinatal support, and the role of institutional partnerships.
The presented best practices clearly pointed out: building sustainable communities is a complex, interlocking process of knowledge and experience sharing.
Gaming, Innovation, and Digital Opportunity Creation
Dr. Fanni Dudok, in her presentation, demonstrated the role of gamification in supporting social inclusion. She emphasized that game-based methods are not merely motivational tools, but structured forms of learning that can build bridges between different social groups. They prove particularly effective in youth work and community development, as they provide a safe, creative space for testing new roles and decision-making scenarios.
Edit Hajnal focused on the human and community dimensions of sustainability. In her presentation, she highlighted that material, social, and spiritual factors form a closely interconnected system, the stability of which depends on the quality of relationships. She pointed out the significance of community "deficits" as well as the importance of supporting mental health.
Dr. Tamás Szilágyi analyzed the potential of artificial intelligence in promoting social equality of opportunity. He presented various forms of the digital divide and emphasized that AI can only become a true social resource if it is tailored to the needs of marginalized groups. He described numerous good examples in the fields of education, accessible communication, and healthcare, while also drawing attention to the question of ethical responsibility.
Local Experiences, International Lessons
Paweł Wojciechowski described the process of the comprehensive social diagnosis taking place in the city of Wągrowiec, which aims to strengthen residential participation and develop urban services.
Zsolt Péter Függ spoke about the role of social innovations in sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of bottom-up initiatives.
Judit Feketéné Kovács highlighted the long-term community impacts of supporting the perinatal period, pointing out that supporting parents and adopting a preventive approach is, in fact, a social investment.
Enikő Szabó presented the more than twenty years of youth assistance work of the “Mi egy Másért” (We for Each Other) Association in Gyula, highlighting the power of development based on community experiences.
Marianna Szabó illustrated through the programs of the Békés County Sclerosis Multiplex Non-profit Organization and the Southern Great Plain Wellness Association how civil organizations can provide flexible and personalized responses to the needs of vulnerable groups.
Dr. Szilvia Beke described the partnership collaboration between Gál Ferenc University and the institutions of Békés County, emphasizing the community-shaping role of higher education.
Tamás Baranyai highlighted the practical role of civil organizations in climate protection, while Ingrid Szabó presented the elderly care system of the city of Komárom, with special regard to programs supporting active aging.
Csaba Péter described the decades-long work of Caritas in Romania, highlighting the community-stabilizing role of social and socio-medical care based on personal attention.
Sustainability as a Community Path
The conclusion of the conference is clear: building sustainable communities is not merely a policy issue, but a process built on human relationships and cooperation. Social inclusion, digital access, innovation, and partnership networks are closely intertwined.
Sister city collaborations play a prominent role in promoting the exchange of experiences and mutual learning, contributing to the realization of local Green Deals that are truly built upon the needs of the communities.
The conference confirmed: sustainability is not a final state, but a continuous community innovation centered on human dignity, participation, and cooperation.
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