Accountability and Transparency Plan
Interdisciplinary Network for Special and Intercultural Education
January 2026
Institutional Identity
Commitments
Include, as a scientific association, has a clear orientation toward advancing inclusive education, scientific research, and innovative pedagogical practice. It operates as a collective body of scientists and professionals, with the goal of bridging theoretical knowledge and its practical application in education and society.
The association’s mission is the production, dissemination, and utilization of evidence-based knowledge that supports inclusion, equality, and accessibility, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups. Include’s activities are grounded in the principles of scientific ethics, transparency, collaboration, and social impact.
Include operates independently, without any political or profit-driven character, and is accountable primarily to its members and to the broader scientific community. Its institutional functioning is governed by clear governance procedures and a commitment to responsible, open, and evidence-based decision-making.
Values
Include’s core values are rooted in inclusion, equality, and respect for diversity, as fundamental principles of scientific and social action. The association operates with a commitment to scientific rigor, ethics, and academic integrity, ensuring the quality and credibility of its work.
Include also promotes collaboration, open dialogue, and responsible governance, guided by seven (7) core values:
- Dedication – We are committed to our mission and vision.
- Creativity – We foster initiative and fresh ideas.
- Innovation – We continuously develop new practices that strengthen inclusion.
- Solidarity – We collaborate and support one another collectively.
- Respect – We recognize and value the uniqueness of every individual. The Vice President position on the Board of Directors is always reserved for a person with a disability.
- Authenticity – We act with honesty and consistency.
- Integrity – We act with ethics and transparency.
Social impact holds a central place, with the aim of connecting knowledge with meaningful educational and societal change.
Governance
Include is governed by its Board of Directors, which is the supreme administrative body between General Assemblies and bears collective responsibility for the strategic direction and smooth functioning of the association. Board members act in accordance with the statutes, the decisions of the General Assembly, and the principles of scientific ethics and transparency.
Decision-making follows clearly defined procedures, with full documentation and recording, to ensure accountability and consistency with Include’s goals. Board decisions are collective, reasoned, and oriented toward the public and scientific interest, while key decisions and directions are communicated to members in a clear and timely manner.
Strategic and operational decisions are made through institutionalized, collective Board procedures, in alignment with the statutes and the decisions of the General Assembly. Proposals are documented, discussed in quorate sessions, and officially recorded, ensuring transparency, consistency, and accountability.
Board of Directors
| Name | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Avgerinos Maistrellis | President | The President of Include serves as the institutional representative of the association, coordinates the Board of Directors, and ensures adherence to the mission, statutes, and strategic goals. He guarantees collective decision-making, transparency, and the institutional credibility of Include. |
| Polyzois Rigas | Vice President | The Vice President supports the President in his work, deputizes when required, and contributes to the strategic coordination of the Board. He actively participates in decision-making and the implementation of the association’s activities. |
| Eleni Anna Kardara | Secretary General | She is responsible for the administrative organization and institutional documentation of the association. She ensures the maintenance of minutes, the management of correspondence, and the accurate recording of decisions, supporting transparency, continuity, and the institutional memory of Include. |
| Lazaros Salkimis | Treasurer | The Treasurer is responsible for managing the association’s finances, monitoring income and expenditure, and maintaining financial records. He ensures sound and transparent financial management and supports accountability to members and institutional bodies. |
| Andromachi Nanou | Member | The Board member participates equally in decision-making and the shaping of Include’s strategy. She contributes to the planning and implementation of activities, representing the collective interest of the association and supporting transparency and its institutional functioning. |
Decisions, General Assembly minutes, financial reports, and activity reports are available digitally for internal review by association members, and are made public by decision of the Board of Directors.
Financial Management
Include is committed to systematic, clear, and accessible communication regarding the management of its finances. The association’s income and expenditure are recorded in an organized manner and presented in summary form to members on a regular basis, with clear reference to the main categories of financial activity.
Funding sources — including membership fees, sponsorships, and any other lawful financial support — are disclosed with full transparency and without ambiguity. Every form of financial support is connected to the association’s purpose and does not affect its scientific independence. Financial reporting is incorporated into the annual review, strengthening accountability and member trust.
Financial reports are available digitally for internal review by association members, and are published on the website following a relevant Board decision.
Annual Financial Report
The annual financial report, written to be accessible to non-specialists, is a key accountability tool — not only toward members but also toward the broader scientific and social community. It is designed to be clear, concise, and comprehensible to all audiences. It presents, in a structured way, the association’s total income and expenditure, the main categories of financial activity, and the sources of funding, using plain language and explanatory notes where needed.
The report goes beyond a mere numerical record — it connects financial management to Include’s activities and goals, making it clear how available resources were used to carry out its scientific and social work. In this way, financial information becomes genuinely meaningful for members, partners, and the wider community, strengthening trust and the institutional credibility of the association.
Scientific Accountability
Include presents its scientific activities, programs, partnerships, outcomes, and quality and impact indicators with full transparency. Scientific accountability is a foundational pillar of the association’s functioning, as it bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application and ensures the quality, credibility, and social contribution of its work.
This accountability involves the systematic documentation, presentation, and evaluation of the scientific activities, programs, and projects implemented by the association. All activities are recorded clearly in terms of their objectives, methodologies, outputs, and impact on the educational community and society at large. Each scientific project is accompanied by evaluation data and effectiveness indicators, enabling assessment of its quality and added value.
Scientific accountability also includes the publication of results, the dissemination of good practices, and the presentation of Include’s scientific contributions at conferences, in publications, and through partnerships with other organizations.
This process strengthens the trust of members, partners, and the broader scientific community, demonstrating that Include operates with professionalism, transparency, and responsibility. Through scientific accountability, the association establishes itself not only as a body of knowledge, but as an active driver of social change, advancing inclusion, equality, and accessibility in education.
Accountability to Members
As part of its accountability framework, Include provides regular reports on the activities of the Board of Directors, meeting decisions, programs and projects being implemented, as well as on the progress and achievement of strategic goals. Updates include financial reports that transparently present income, expenditure, funding sources, and use of resources, giving members a full picture of sound financial management.
Accountability to members is delivered through a variety of channels — including annual reviews, regular activity reports, newsletters, and special assemblies — ensuring that information is understandable, transparent, and sufficient for members to make informed decisions. Members are also given the opportunity to submit questions, observations, or proposals, creating a feedback mechanism that reinforces participation and organizational responsibility.
Through this organized and systematic accountability, members can follow Include’s progress, evaluate its activities, and actively contribute to improving and developing its functioning — strengthening the collective sense of responsibility and the association’s scientific and social mission.
Internal Control Mechanisms
The implementation of internal control and feedback mechanisms at Include is a foundational strategy for maintaining transparency and accountability. These mechanisms ensure that the association’s processes and decisions are subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation, allowing for the identification of potential deviations, weaknesses, or areas for improvement. This creates a dynamic operational framework where accountability is not limited to a formal report, but serves as a tool for learning and growth.
The ability for members to submit proposals, observations, or objections enables every interested party to actively participate in shaping procedures and improving the association’s functioning. These contributions are recorded, evaluated, and, where feasible, incorporated into future activities — reinforcing a culture of collectivity and participation. Periodic evaluation of transparency processes ensures that the means and practices of accountability remain current, comprehensible, and effective, adapting to the evolving needs of members and developments in the scientific and social environment.
Through these mechanisms, Include sets itself apart from organizations that merely announce decisions. Instead, it establishes itself as an organization that actively listens to its members, analyzes feedback, learns from its experiences, and continuously improves its practices. This approach strengthens trust, responsibility, and a sense of participation — making accountability an ongoing, living, and evolving process that serves both the members and the scientific and social mission of the association.