The COMHOM Consortium gathered in Helsinki, Finland, from 3 to 5 June 2026 for a three-day meeting focused on advancing collaboration with sub-grantees and preparing for the next phase of project implementation. Hosted by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, the meeting brought together Consortium partners and representatives from the COMHOM sub-grantees to share progress, exchange knowledge, and co-create solutions to common challenges.
The first day was dedicated to presentations from the sub-grantees on their ongoing work related to the mapping process. Through a series of structured sessions, each sub-grantee presented the current state of their data collection practices, data management processes, and data protection considerations. These presentations provided valuable insight into the diversity of local contexts represented across Europe while helping the Consortium better understand the opportunities and challenges faced by organisations working to address homelessness. The sessions also enabled participants to exchange experiences, discuss emerging issues, and identify areas where additional support and capacity building may be beneficial.
The second day opened with a keynote presentation by the Y-Foundation, Associated Partner of the project, on Finland’s approach to homelessness. The session provided participants with valuable insights into the Finnish model and highlighted lessons learned from one of Europe’s most recognised approaches to preventing and reducing homelessness.
Building on the findings from the mapping exercise, Consortium partners and sub-grantees then engaged in a series of co-creation workshops focused on developing the roadmap for pilot implementation. Working in smaller groups, participants analysed common challenges, explored potential solutions, and discussed the tasks and resources required to move from the current situation towards the project’s envisioned future state. These collaborative sessions fostered meaningful exchanges between organisations operating in different contexts while strengthening the collective knowledge base of the COMHOM community.
The final day was dedicated to Consortium discussions on project management, capacity building, and long-term sustainability. Partners reflected on progress achieved so far, identified areas for improvement, and defined priorities for the coming months.
Throughout the three days, the Helsinki meeting provided an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between Consortium partners and sub-grantees, deepen shared understanding of implementation challenges, and advance the project’s state of the art. The active participation, expertise, and commitment demonstrated by all attendees reinforced the collaborative spirit at the heart of COMHOM and laid a strong foundation for the next phase of work.
As the project moves forward, the Consortium looks forward to continuing its close cooperation with sub-grantees and stakeholders across Europe to develop innovative, data-driven solutions that contribute to preventing and addressing homelessness.
The COMHOM project has received funding from the European Union’s European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) under Grant Agreement No. 101172624.