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.
The Big Lunch
United Kingdom
London-Lewisham
2009 onwards
Purpose: A big lunch to promote community, friendship and fun Stimulus/Rationale: The Big Lunch is an idea which has grown in popularity across the UK, but the London Borough of Lewisham is...
Amadora Empreende
Portugal
Amadora
2016
Entrepreneurship programme to encourage minorities business The Programme “Amadora Empreende” seeks to identify, in association with the youth and people in situations of social vulnerability,...
Campus Rütli
Germany
Berlin-Neukölln
2016 onwards
Purpose: A segregated and failing school is transformed into a centre of educational excellence Stimulus/Rationale: The Rütli school had become notorious all over Germany in 2006, when the...
EMPO Multicultural Resource Center
Norway
Bergen
ongoing
Purpose: The EMPO Multicultural Resource Center acts as a resource centre for migrants through providing information and counselling that enable participants to develop their own resources to...
Barcelona Centre for Linguistic Normalisation
Spain
Barcelona
CNL was founded in 1988
Purpose: The Consortium for Linguistic Normalisation (CPNL) is a public body created from the common will of the Regional Government and numerous local, county and provincial councils with the aim...
Reggio Emilia – Burkina Faso: the true spirit of co-development
Italy
Reggio Emilia
2016
Purpose: In Reggio Emilia, the migrant inclusion is enhanced through projects for development cooperation with countries of origin. Creating thousands of workplaces for the agricultural development...
DNA Cascais: a creative approach to promote entrepreneurship
Portugal
Cascais
ongoing
Purpose: DNA is a business incubator to: Develop innovative potential of young people Promote entrepreneurship Support the creation of new companies, organisation of seminars and conferences DNA...
Local Social Assessment (Diagnóstico social)
Portugal
Cascais
Social network - ongoing / Assessment - 2017
Purpose: To monitor citizens’ well-being, promote a participative and cohesive municipality and establish Networks that promote social development, fight poverty and social exclusion....
The Counsellor for Gender Equality
Portugal
Cascais
Since 2017 - Ongoing
Purpose: The “Conselheira para a Igualdade” (Counsellor for Equality) is a person of reference appointed by the Cascais City Council to defend Gender Equality. Stimulus/Rationale: Gender Equality...
”Engage in Copenhagen” – a three year inclusion programme
Denmark
Copenhagen
2011-14
Purpose: ”Engage in Copenhagen” was a three year inclusion programme, designed to function as a catalyst for the Municipality of Copenhagen’s new inclusion policy and vision for the city, from...
Immigration City Erlangen
Germany
Erlangen
2013 onwards
Purpose: Revising the relationship between migrants and receiving societies Stimulus/Rationale: There is a popular fallacy that dominates Europe's immigration discourse: understanding immigration...
Barka
Netherlands
Utrecht
2016
Purpose: Barka creates opportunities to return home for people facing homelessness or difficult social and economic situation, and they run a Social Economy Centre, supporting migrants on their way...
Measuring cultural empathy
Ukraine
Melitopol
2016
A sociological study on cultural competences in Ukraine, leading to policy development Melitopol is a city of the Azov region where, for more than 225 years, there has been a harmonious coexistence...
Anti-Rumour Web App
Spain
Bilbao
Since 2014
Purpose: A game to raise awareness of rumours and stereotypes that negatively affect coexistence in Bilbao. Rationale: Awareness-raising and the fight against discrimination is a priority line of...
BizFeira - Bilateral overseas business development
Portugal
Santa Maria da Feira
ongoing
Purpose: An online platform - BizFeira - that enhances entrepreneurship and internationalisation through establishing links between local business owners of all backgrounds with the Portuguese...
The Danish Centre for Arts & Interculture (DCAI)
Denmark
Copenhagen
2011-
Purpose: The aim of the Danish Centre for Arts & Interculture (DCAI) is to create a national platform that reflects the diversity of Danish society in the cultural sector, by building intercultural...
A Smile of a Child
Ukraine
Melitopol
2016
Purpose: Therapeutic hospitality for refugees Process: Melitopol has taken in very many Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) as a consequence of the troubles in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. “A Smile...
Close to Culture: Art, music and theatre prevent social exclusion and promote the democratisation of culture
Spain
Barcelona
Since 2006
Purpose: Apropa Cultura (Close to Culture) is a network of cultural facilities, such as theatres, concert halls, festivals and museums, whose main purpose is to encourage inclusiveness promoting...
Schilleria Girl´s Café - PolitTalk (Schilleria Mädchentreff)
Germany
Berlin-Neukölln
2017 onwards
Purpose: Promotion of the political participation of young women Stimulus/Rationale: Process: The Schilleria Girl´s Café is addressed at girls and young women, most of whom have a migrant...
241FE- 241 Female Entrepreneurship
Greece
Patras
Start: 1.9.2020 / End: 30.6.2023
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...
Culture is the basis of community sustainable development
Ukraine
Lutsk
2018
Purpose: Policy for promoting inclusive participation through culture, to encourage a tolerant society and to develop moral principles of common life in an intercultural environment through...
Mondinsieme’ Assembly
Italy
Reggio Emilia
2011-ongoing
Purpose: Citizen engagement and citizen participation are key elements for the Municipality of Reggio Emilia. Calling itself “La Città delle Persone” (the City of the People), the administration of...
Actions of the City of Reykjavik to improve participation in local elections
Iceland
Reykjavik
2017 & 20218
Purpose: The City of Reykjavik has initiated various practices to increase migrants´ participation in local political elections. One practice organised by the Icelandic Women’s Rights Association...
Women, Health and Violence
Spain
Bilbao
Since 2008
Purpose: This programme seeks to empower women from all origins and socio-cultural backgrounds in Bilbao through the promotion of health and the prevention of gender-based violence. It aims to...
(Re)Writing our neighbourhood
Portugal
Braga
Implemented for 3 years, from March 2017 to February 2020
Integrated Approaches for Active participation in social and civic life. Purpose: (Re)Writing our neighbourhood was a 3 year project implemented in three neighbourhoods in the city of Braga,...
Measure to promote the participation of people with diverse cultural and native backgrounds in Barcelona participation areas
Spain
Barcelona
Since 2016
Purpose: The main purpose of this Government Measure is to make active “citizenship” real, enabling participation for all inhabitants of the city. This action emphasises and draws attention on...
Bilbao Immigration Council
Spain
Bilbao
Since 2011
Purpose: The Immigration Council of the Bilbao City Council was created with the vocation of supporting immigrants in their capacity to organise, dialogue, and make proposals for the formulation of...
Intercultural Hub
Ukraine
Vinnitsya
Purpose: Methodology and Tools for the Creation Intercultural Space to enhance intersectoral and inclusive participation in diverse communities Process: Vinnytsia (370,000 people) is the regional...
Improving participation in local elections 2018
Iceland
Reykjavik
Spring 2018
Purpose: to improve immigrants' knowledge about their voting rights and by this improve immigrants participation in elections; to produce accessible information about the elections in clear and...
Portimão Migrant Integration Plan
Portugal
Portimão
2015 - 2017
Purpose: Enhance the integration of migrants through a set of articulated actions implemented by a consortium of relevant local partners. Stimulus/Rationale: One of the strengths of the plan is the...