Intercultural cities: good practice examples
The first step is the adoption (and implementation) of strategies that facilitate positive intercultural encounters and exchanges, and promote equal and active participation of residents and communities in the development of the city, thus responding to the needs of a diverse population. The Intercultural integration policy model is based on extensive research evidence, on a range of international legal instruments, and on the collective input of the cities member of the Intercultural Cities programme that share their good practice examples on how to better manage diversity, address possible conflicts, and benefit from the diversity advantage.
This section offers examples of intercultural approaches that facilitate the development and implementation of intercultural strategies.
Anti-discrimination tools
Spain
Sabadell
2020
Purpose: To offer support to victims of discrimination, to monitor and intervene in cases of assault or discrimination, to raise awareness and build capacity on topics related to discrimination....
Ensuring political and public participation in Sabadell
Spain
Sabadell
2020
Purpose: The City Council deploys different Initiatives to encourage people with migrant/minority backgrounds to engage in political and public life. Stimulus/Rationale: The Sabadell Intercultural...
Castelló Intercultural City Plan
Spain
Castellón de la Plana
2019 - ongoing
Purpose: As part of the actions of the Council of Social Welfare – Social Mediation and Intercultural Department, the city of Castelló de la Plana launched the “III Castelló Intercultural City Plan...
Knowledge Cartography
Spain
Barcelona
Since 2012
Purpose: The project ‘Cartografía de Conocimientos’ (Knowledge Cartography) was born in 2012 aimed at approaching health and education from an intercultural perspective. It is a project that works...
Bilbao, City of Values
Spain
Bilbao
From 2016 - ongoing
Purpose: Bilbao, City of Values is a project that aims to generate a space for analysis, dialogue, reflection, and collaborative work among institutions, social entities, companies, media, schools,...
Complaints of Discrimination
Switzerland
Geneva
Concept The City of Geneva funds and works with the Centre – Écoute contre le Racisme (C-ECR), which defends, advises and assists people affected by racism. The Center-Écoute contre le Racisme is...
The Intercultural acceptance survey to build intercultural competence skills
South Korea
Ansan
2020
The Republic of Korea conducts a triannual survey of locals on their intercultural acceptance. The findings from the survey serve as reference data for policy development. To ensure even more...
Promoting multilingualism in a multicultural city
South Korea
Ansan
2020
Ansan City offers Korean language education for non-nationals. The city itself runs Korean language education programmes while commissioning private organisations to complete the offer. There is a...
Research Circles
Sweden
Botkyrka
Concept A research circle is a methodology to enable in-depth, participative, and longer-term examination of an issue. It was piloted in Botkyrka to examine issues of racism and discrimination, in...
Planned and Systematic Approach to Equality
Ireland
Galway
2019 onwards
Purpose: Galway City Council (GCC) is progressing a planned and systematic approach to equality and human rights. This is based on developing an internal infrastructure to drive its implementation...
Reinvigorating Employee Networks
United Kingdom
Kirklees
Purpose: Kirklees Council has identified that equality related employee networks play an important role in informing decision-making and enabling innovation. In doing so, they contribute to...
Conscious Inclusion
United Kingdom
Camden
Concept Camden Council has adopted a process of ‘Conscious Inclusion’ to ensure all staff ‘can be their best self at work’. The approach taken involves a focus on leadership, staff, and systems in...
Listening Circles on ‘Race’, Racism, and Inequalities
United Kingdom
Kirklees
2020
Purpose: Kirklees Council has identified and pursued the potential in Listening Circles to contribute to addressing systemic discrimination. Listening Circles are to provide time and a safe space...
Anti-Racism as an Urban Common
Italy
Turin
2016
Purpose: The concept of “the commons” draws from the English legal term for common land and traditionally refers to shared resources held in common. The commons tend to be understood as material...
An Equality Infrastructure
Mexico
Mexico
Concept Mexico City has established an internal infrastructure to express and sustain its commitment to equality and non-discrimination. This encompasses a Constitution for the City of Mexico...
An international policy in Leeds
United Kingdom
Leeds
2020
Leeds have a policy to encourage international cooperation in economic, scientific, cultural, or other areas. The policy further has a specific financial provision and the city actively takes...
Housing policy in Leeds
United Kingdom
Leeds
2020
Creating sustainable communities is one of the six Leeds Housing Strategy themes. Housing Leeds officers have worked with community based Housing Advisory Panels to support a number of...
Intercultural Mediation in Leeds
United Kingdom
Leeds
2020
Leeds provides intercultural mediation in a number of ways: Equalities Assembly: forum up of Equality Hubs, helping ensure the council engages/involves diverse communities. Public Sector Equality...
A Strategic, Coordinated and Inclusive Approach to Migration
United Kingdom
Leeds
2020
The development of the city’s Strategic, Coordinated and Inclusive Approach to Migration was the result of a year’s consultation and research over 2016 - 2017. The process included focus groups...
The Leeds Citizens Panel
United Kingdom
Leeds
2020
Leeds has implemented the Leeds Citizens Panel[1], to ensure broad consultation and engagement in co-design involving people with diverse backgrounds in policy formulation. The panel enables the...
Diverse interaction on display in Cascais
Portugal
Cascais
2021
Purpose: This initiative aims to celebrate the local diversity by showcasing the diverse interactions in the City. Stimulus/Rationale: Cascais is now a municipality of the world, with according to...
Limassol’s Intercultural Council helps the city to handle challenges with an Intercultural Strategy
Cyprus
Limassol
2023 – 2025
Purpose: The purpose of the intercultural integration strategy in Limassol is to foster diversity as a source of strength and prosperity by promoting inclusive interactions, empowering all...
Community action plan — community development (CAP-CD 2022-2023) of the city of Sherbrooke
In the interest of the residents’ quality of life, Sherbrooke wants to support community organisations in delivering projects related to the fields of activity identified in the Community and...
Human Libraries
Portugal
Braga
ongoing
Purpose: Within the project "Braga: an Intercultural Journey", Human Library sessions are promoted in the schools of the municipality, until December 2021. The Human Library is a strategy of social...
Akadimia - an Intercultural Centre for Social Integration
Greece
Ioannina
2021 - Ongoing
Purpose: The purpose of the Intercultural Centre for Social Integration in Ioannina is to provide support and assistance primarily to refugees and migrants residing in the area. It aims to improve...
Integration project for newly arrived refugees with urban farming
Norway
Bergen
2019-2023
Purpose: The project aims to create sustainability through urban farming and distributing the harvest of urban farming to restaurants, and to integrate newly arrived refugees by involving them in...
Everyone different, Everyone matters
United Kingdom
Calderdale
2022
In Calderdale (United Kingdom), the local authority has led the development of a social cohesion strategy, produced in consultation with the local public, under the banner of ‘everyone different,...
Botkyrka: Anti-Rumour Cafés – Stop the Rumour
Sweden
Botkyrka
2016-
Purpose: The Anti-Rumours Cafés, now called Stop The Rumour (Stop Ryktet) and are carried out for the municipality of Botkyrka by the environmental and social impact agency The Good Tribe that set...
Collaborating to change local food systems
Italy
Milan
2019- ongoing
Purpose: Milan is combating food waste by making the most of its food resources while supporting the regeneration of natural systems and the inclusion of migrants. The city has developed circular...
Erlangen: Digital inclusion in the time of crisis, while extending life of IT products
Germany
Erlangen
2020
Purpose: With the Covid-19 pandemic, the topic of digitisation has become even more important. At times, participation was only possible digitally. However, the need for digital equipment is not...