Intercultural cities: good practice examples - Intercultural cities programme

Participatory Processes to Ensure Equal Access

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

Leeds organises an Equalities Assembly, participatory budgeting, intercultural dialogue platforms/round tables as well as MAP+ and the Migrant Community Networkers weekly drop-in. Additionally, the...

Bradford’s People Library

United Kingdom Bradford 2020

Purpose: To show there is always more to a human ‘book’ than just its cover. Stimulus/Rationale: Process: Bradford’s People Library is an ever-growing and fascinating collection of human ‘books’,...

Reducing barriers to naturalisation through information campaigns

Switzerland Zurich 2021 (ongoing since 2017)

The Zurich City Council is concerned that as many Zurich residents as possible should be able to participate in the direct democratic process. The more people participate, the more alive democracy...

A common public space through cooperation

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

As part of the ‘Our Spaces’ Strategy[1], the city considers a number of principles, one of which is that ‘our spaces will be inclusive, designed for all ages, abilities and reflect Leeds’ diverse...

Integrated Impact Assessment

United Kingdom Kirklees 2021

Purpose: Kirklees Council has developed an Integrated Impact Assessment process that is implemented when new services, policies or strategies are being developed or existing ones being changed or...

Improving equality data collection in Belgium

Belgium 2021

The equality data strategy responds to the imperative for a precise picture of reality, an evidence base, to be available if policy solutions to inequality are to be effectively designed and...

Roma Strategy for the Bradford District (2021-2025)

United Kingdom Bradford 2021

Purpose: The aim of the Bradford District Roma Strategy is to improve engagement between statutory public services and the Roma community – through working with the community. Stimulus/Rationale:...

Structural Racism in Bergen. Provoking debate, enabling understanding and stimulating action through research on structural racism in Bergen

Norway Bergen 2021

Purpose: The research initiative “Structural Racism in Bergen” was undertaken by Bergen Municipality to understand how minority ethnic populations perceived the way they were treated by the city’s...

Mediation is a priority in Barcelona

Spain Barcelona

Purpose: Different mediation services are in place with the aim of providing resources to municipal service professionals to facilitate intercultural communication and to prevent and resolve...

Valladolid’s Plan for intercultural coexistence 2019-2023

Spain Valladolid 2019-2023 (ongoing)

Purpose: The Plan is a tool that develops a comprehensive policy of living together from an intercultural perspective and helps the city harness the potential of diversity. It also enables to...

Roma school promoters

Spain Barcelona Since 2014

Purpose: To address the inequalities in the education system through a “school promoters” project. The School Promoters aims to achieve full schooling, school success and the socio-labour promotion...

Barcelona’s Neighbourhood Plan

Spain Barcelona Since 2017

Purpose: The Neighbourhoods Plan (Pla de Barris) is a municipal initiative that implements social, economic, and urban actions to reduce inequalities between the city's neighbourhoods. It is an...

Want to make your workplace more inclusive?

Italy Reggio Emilia Novellara 2021

Purpose: Stimulus/Rationale: In 2021 the Italian municipalities of Novellara, Reggio Emilia, and the union of municipalities “Rubicone e Mare” were awarded an ICC intercity grant to develop...

Music of Words - Odessa

Ukraine Odessa 2021

Process: In 2021, ICC Odesa launched an inspiring new annual initiative, the literary and musical Festival "Music of Words", to celebrate the variety of artistic expressions and creative arts that...

Intercultural and integration strategy for the five-year period 2021-2025

Ireland Dublin 2021-2025

The main activity consists in the development of an intercultural and integration strategy for the five-year period 2021-2025. The development of the strategy was entrusted to the Dublin City Local...

The role of libraries as drivers of integration and intercultural interaction

Canada Sherbrooke current

Public libraries can be a particularly helpful place for newcomers and play a key role in giving access to knowledge, remedying social inequalities and improving these people’s quality of life....

Carrying out an Inclusive Economy Strategy for social and environmental value

United Kingdom Calderdale 2022

Calderdale, United Kingdom, has committed to social value creation through its Inclusive Economy Strategy. All its procurement activity must be in line with social value requirements and...

Lublin, Krakow and Wrocław together against hate speech

Poland Lublin Krakow Wroclaw 2nd half 2021

Purpose: This public awareness-raising initiative was undertaken by the three Polish cities: Lublin, Krakow and Wrocław, to address the burning problem of hate speech targeting minorities by...

Campaigns and communication for inclusion

Portugal Lisbon 2016-2018

Purpose: Lisbon, Portugal, developed a programme (“Somos os Direitos que temos” – We are our rights) targeting more awareness towards diversity, human rights, and inclusion. The awareness of the...

The DIVERSITY = INNOVATION project

United Kingdom Kirklees 2022

Purpose: Monitoring the diversity of recruitment and promotion locally, and working with employers to champion diverse workplaces. Stimulus/Rationale: Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is...

A Folk Doll’s Tale - Melitopol

Ukraine Melitopol 2018 onwards

Purpose: Fostering intercultural exchange and sharing traditions Process: Ms. Natalia Berenga, an artist of Belorussian origin from Melitopol, has been making rag dolls for quite some time but the...

ICC Strategies are in Place in all ICCUA Cities

Ukraine Melitopol Lutsk Odessa Pavlograd Sumy Vinnitsya 2021

Process: As of the end of 2021, all member cities of the ICC-Ukraine network had developed and four of them had officially adopted their ICC City Strategies, which represents a considerable...

Participatory mechanisms and initiatives encouraging all Camden residents to engage in political life and decision-making processes

United Kingdom Camden

Camden Council services work in a range of ways that enable all of Camden’s residents, in particular people with migrant/minority backgrounds, to voice their concerns, examples are: Communication...

Providing intercultural mediation in Camden: an efficient tool for a harmonious life in the borough

United Kingdom Camden

In Camden, intercultural mediation is provided in the neighbourhoods and on the streets actively seeking to meet residents and discuss problems. The Family Group Conference (FGC) offers a...

Camden’s residents and the authorities building together a safe and welcoming borough

United Kingdom Camden

Camden has been carrying out surveys on the feeling of security/safety with respect to people with migrant/minority backgrounds. The Council has a community lead response to supporting communities...

Parks for Health: promotion of health assets for the local community

United Kingdom Camden

Camden is working with its neighbouring authority, Islington, on a joint project called Parks for Health. This major project seeks to change the passive focus of parks into active health assets for...

Recruitment practices in favour of diversity in the workforce

United Kingdom Camden

Camden is involved with many local, regional and national organisations promoting diversity and non-discrimination in the labour market, including: Stonewall, a charity that works with institutions...

Gender equality: voices of the women in Camden

United Kingdom Camden

Camden Council put in place mechanisms to make sure that gender equality is respected in organisations that participate in the decision-making process on matters related to the inclusion of Camden...

Promoting cultural participation and equal access to culture in Neuchâtel

Switzerland Neuchâtel

This action promoting cultural participation was implemented in the frame of the intercultural strategy of the canton of Neuchâtel, which is based on the recognition of diversity, equality,...

The Leeds Learning Alliance

United Kingdom Leeds Since 2019

The Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA) is a consortium of organisations formed in 2019 by a group of leaders, aiming to improve education in Leeds, United Kingdom (UK). The Alliance is unusual in the UK...

A welcoming app

Portugal Amadora Lisbon Loures Santa Maria da Feira Setúbal Cascais Portimão Braga Oeiras 2019-2021

Purpose: The Portuguese Network of Intercultural Cities (RPCI) has developed an app called Portugal Incoming. The app launched in 2019 is a major practical contribution to the integration of...

Migrant stories

Germany Erlangen 2020

Purpose: During COVID, the City of Erlangen, Germany, made a point of uplifting the stories of contributions by people with migrant backgrounds via their website and communications. These ranged...

The Equality Space

France Strasbourg Since 2019

Purpose: The Equality Space (Espace Égalité) hosts a one-of-a-kind experience for children and young adults to get familiar with 26 discrimination criteria and fully understand the impact of...

Democratic citizenship in Ansan

South Korea Ansan 2020

Under the Public Official Election Act of the Republic of Korea, only Korean nationals aged 25 or older may run for a local election. Those with foreign nationality are not allowed to be a...

Council for civil society development

Sweden Botkyrka 2018-

Purpose: Civil society organizations working in the social field and organised in the network “Platform for local NGOs’ in Botkyrka” and politicians from Botkyrka have established a joint Council...

Equality Planning

Sweden Botkyrka N/A

Purpose: The municipal council in Botkyrka has developed specific systems to advance the goal of an equal Botkyrka and give expression to its values that include: citizen-focus, diversity as an...

Bottkyrka: Anti-Discrimination Bureau

Sweden Botkyrka N/A

Purpose: Anti-Discrimination Bureaux are independent non-governmental organisations; the local Anti-Discrimination Bureau in Bottkyrka is funded by the municipality of Bottkyrka and offers...

Data collection and analysis to counteract discrimination: the case of Barcelona Discrimination Observatory

Spain Barcelona From 2018 - ongoing

Purpose: The Barcelona Discrimination Observatory works, since 2018, to make visible any situations of discrimination in the city, and to contribute to the scale and design of the actions...

Shared Values

United Kingdom Bradford 2022 onwards

Purpose: Identifying shared values to build stronger communities Stimulus/Rationale: Values were identified as key by Bradford Council given how they underpin and motivate behaviours. They are...

Salisbury’s effective measures to combat discrimination

Australia Salisbury 2020

Purpose: The Australian City of Salisbury adopted “The Fair Treatment Policy” and signed the “Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration” Process: The City Council adopted a policy called “The Fair Treatment...

Reconciliation Action Plan

Australia Ballarat May 2019 – May 2021

Purpose: Raising awareness about reconciliation, demonstrating commitment and raising the profile of reconciliation in the community. Process: The City of Ballarat have developed and Innovative...

Intercultural Ambassadors

Australia Ballarat 2010 onwards

Purpose: A unique festival to encourage its citizens to meet and get to know each other Stimulus/Rationale: The Intercultural Ambassador Program aims to enhance community awareness and social...

Harmony Fest

Australia Ballarat 2010 onwards

Purpose: A unique festival to encourage its citizens to meet and get to know each other Process: Since it was launched in 2010, Harmony Fest has become the City of Ballarat’s vibrant diversity...

Covid 19 practice

Australia Maribyrnong 2020

Purpose: Information and support for CALD businesses during COVID 19 Stimulus/Rationale: The Mayor of Maribyrnong initially announced that the City Council would be giving permit refunds and 50%...

Intercultural Cities Policy and Strategy

Australia Maribyrnong 2018 onwards

Purpose: Developing an Intercultural Maribyrnong Strategy Stimulus/Rationale: In October 2018 Maribyrnong City Council officially started the process towards full membership of the Intercultural...

Refugee Week

Australia Maribyrnong 2020

Purpose: Welcoming Refugees through Refugee Week Stimulus/Rationale: “Refugee week” is Australia’s peak annual activity to inform the public about refugees and celebrate positive contributions made...

Reducing Racism

Australia Maribyrnong 2019 onwards

Purpose: Reducing racism Stimulus/Rationale: The City Council has an endorsed reducing racism statement and hosts a community reporting tool where reports can be logged about instances of racism to...

Equality Review & Action Plan

Ireland Dublin 2018

Purpose: Equality review of provision of social housing supports and homelessness services on the ground of racial or ethnic origin and action plan. Stimulus/Rationale: Foundation This initiative...

Towards an Inclusive Public Transport Service

Ireland Dublin 2014 onwards

Purpose: Long-term programme in Dublin to fight racism and discrimination in public transport Process: Dublin City Council in partnership with Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Equality Authority...

Guided tours of the Greatest Hits exhibition by members of Erlangen Refugee Forum : The best of the 60s, 70s, 80s, and today - from the Municipal Collection of Erlangen

Germany Erlangen 2016 onwards

Purpose: To ensure digital inclusion Process: For the duration of the exhibition Greatest Hits (December 2017 to February 2018) the Kunstpalais offered guided tours in Arabic, Armenian, Persian,...

Committee for Diversity and Inclusion

Norway Stavanger 2023-

Purpose: In December 2023 the city council of Stavanger decided to establish a Committee for Diversity and Inclusion (Norwegian: Utvalg for Mangfold og Inkludering) consisting of nine members (five...

City of Sanctuary – welcome and settlement

United Kingdom Swansea 2016

Purpose: Welcome and Settlement Stimulus/Rationale: Swansea Council has pledged its commitment to supporting its status as a City of Sanctuary – welcoming those fleeing from war/persecution....

Participatory Budget

France Paris On-going since 2014

Enhancing the participation of citizens in the decision-making process. Launched in 2014 to implement actions of participatory democracy in Paris, the Participatory Budget aims at mobilising all...

Mescla’t

Spain Sabadell ongoing

Purpose: Mescla’t is a festive day that brings together the organisations that work in Sabadell for the culture of solidarity, active participation, and the promotion of living together. The...

Mainstreaming the intercultural perspective in Barcelona districts

Spain Barcelona Since 2018

Purpose: Mainstreaming the intercultural perspective into the work of all the districts. Stimulus/Rationale: The Barcelona Interculturality Plan (2021-2030) states that Barcelona can only progress...

Narrative for the inteculturality (Actions for the coexistence)

Spain Santa Coloma de Gramenet 2018 - ongoing

Purpose: INTERCULTURAL NARRATIVES, Lines of Action for Coexistence is a new commitment to consolidate the transversality of the intercultural approach with the commitment of the municipal services...

A path to build a United and Inclusive Society: The city of Turin adopts its "Guidelines for Interculture and participation"

Italy Turin 2018

Purpose: Inclusion of citizens in the political processes is not a challenge – it is the challenge the City of Turin has decided to face. In a time when social inequalities grow, the fear for “the...

Rights Respecting Schools Award

United Kingdom Swansea 2014 onwards

Purpose: Rights Respecting schools are safe and inspiring places to learn, where all children’s talents are nurtured and they are able to thrive. Stimulus/Rationale: UNICEF UKs Rights Respecting...

PROUD OSLO – Action Plan for Equality and Freedom regardless of Gender Expression, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Norway Oslo 2015–2023

Purpose: PROUD OSLO – Action Plan for Equality and Freedom regardless of Gender Expression, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation is an action plan launched in 2015 to increase respect for gender...

Guide on Equal Services: preventing discrimination through intersectionality

Norway Oslo 2018-

Purpose: The OXLO guide for equal services is a manual on the city’s internet and intranet webpages, with guidelines for the city’s agencies, districts and services on how to make Oslo a city for...

Italian Language courses for migrant women

Italy Novellara October 2017-January 2018

Purpose: The goal of this project is to promote the participation of migrant women into the Italian Language courses organized in the city of Novellara. Stimulus/Rationale: The local administration...

“ARRIVAL CITIES”

Greece Patras Start: 1.9.2015 / End: 1.6.2018

Purpose: Women are the primary victims of the intertwined causes of conflicts, underdevelopment and migration. To address these issues, in a sustainable and humanitarian way, migrants should be...

Bradford for Everyone or how to create a more inclusive city for all

United Kingdom Bradford 2020

Purpose: To create an inclusive city for all Stimulus/Rationale: Bradford Council is pioneering new ways to end segregation by bringing together people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds...

Political Literacy Sessions

Australia Maribyrnong 2020

The City of Maribyrnong hosted sessions by the Victorian Electoral Commission about the three levels that of government in Australia and addressed: keywords and concepts associated with the...

Covid-19 Working Group

United Kingdom Camden 2020

Concept Camden Council has a track record in seeking to address systemic discrimination and structural inequalities. This is not a new issue for the Council, but Covid-19 has both highlighted and...

The Inclusive Employer

United Kingdom Bradford 2022

Purpose: Bradford Council seeks to be an inclusive employer Stimulus/Rationale: This initiative is rooted in Bradford Council’s Equality Objectives 2016-2020. One objective is that the Council is...

Employment and skills - Adult Learning Programme, BUILD programme, Leeds Anchors Network

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

In Leeds 24% of the working age population do not have a Level 2 Qualification. The city therefore runs an Adult Learning Programme which is targeted at residents with low-level skills and...

Community Connector Project

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

In July 2019, Leeds started the 15-month Community Connector project[1] which aims to support new migrants to connect with local services and existing community networks through building bridges...

Fresh start – Learning English

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

As part of ‘Child Friendly Leeds’[1], the city recognises that starting school in a new location is daunting. The city has therefore established a weekly session for children aged 9-16 called...

The Leeds Migration Map

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

Leeds has mainstreamed statistical and qualitative information about diversity and intercultural relations to inform the local/municipal council’s process of policy formulation. This is done...

Migrant Community Networkers – Creating links in the neighbourhood

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

Leeds has a Migrant Access Programme (MAP) which aims to promote community cohesion and enhance resilience and sustainability of local communities in Leeds. The Programme uses asset-based...

The Language Hub Programme

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

Based on the Culture Strategy 2017-2030[1] the city aims to change perceptions and attitudes towards culture and the arts, moving the focus from what they cost to what they create. All...

Equal provision of support services to ALL vulnerable groups

Greece Patras Ongoing

Purpose: The purpose is to provide support services to all vulnerable groups within Patras' population, promoting equality and respect for human rights and needs. The focus is on covering basic...

An Anti-Racism Cockpit

Italy Turin 2019

Purpose: Internally focused activity is key to addressing systemic discrimination. It enables a focus on the priorities, processes and practices of an organisation. It can be difficult to secure a...

DiverCidade Braga - An Intercultural Journey

Portugal Braga ongoing

Purpose: The City of Braga, Portugal, has created a specific website to present the city’s intercultural strategy and activities. The DiverCidade Braga Project - An Intercultural Journey aims to...