Intercultural cities: good practice examples
The Intercultural city aims at building its policies and identity on the explicit acknowledgement that diversity can be a resource for the development of the society.
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.
Geneva: the City tackles hurtful words
At a time when social networks and digital communication are having a major impact on our everyday interaction, raising awareness of discriminatory remarks and speech is a real challenge for public...
Neuchâtel Action Week against Racism
Raising awareness of diversity, equal opportunities and non-discrimination Every March for the last 20 years, the Service de la cohésion multiculturelle (COSM) (Multicultural Cohesion Service) and...
Women, Health and Violence
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...
Schilleria Girl´s Café - PolitTalk (Schilleria Mädchentreff)
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
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’s People Library
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’,...
"Identity Map: the Language of Dissent"
Purpose: An artistic performance to minimise racial, gender or sexual discrimination and to promote tolerance and inclusiveness in the city community Process: Discrimination on the grounds of...
Weeks of culture
Purpose: Fostering intercultural exchange and sharing traditions Process: The Council of National Communities of Melitopol usually holds a one or two-day Reporting Event annually as part of the...
Local Council for Religious and Life Stance Communities
Purpose: The aim of the practice is to reflect the religious diversity in Oslo through The Local Council for Religion and Life Stance communities. This body is responsible for: The promotion of the...
Europe Island Festival
Process: An international festival "Europe Island" with 10 open-air locations in Vinnytsia, dedicated to "chamber" literature, languages of national minorities and local writings brought together...
Creative Orchestra
Purpose: The Creative Orchestra is a community project that aims to bring forward the social dimension of music, promoting inclusion through music. Stimulus/Rationale: Casa dos Choupos is the local...
Neukölln publishes "Normalising Integration - Living together in an intercultural metropolis"
Purpose: Policy and principles for an intercultural city Stimulus/Rationale: Process: "Normalising Integration - Living together in an intercultural metropolis" is both a comprehensive policy...
Building human rights and equality competency
Purpose: to implement the City of Reykjavik Human Rights Policy; to enhance quality customer service with its emphasis on meeting the needs of a diversity of customers and with the creativity and...
Study in Lisbon programme
Purpose: The website “Study in Lisbon” is directed specifically at foreign students, encouraging them to pursue their studies in Lisbon (“10 reasons to study in Lisbon”) as well as providing...
Centre of Interculturality (“Núcleo da Interculturalidade”)
Purpose: Promoting intercultural integration in the city. Stimulus/Rationale: "Welcoming all communities with open arms does not make us feel less Portuguese, quite the contrary, because it reminds...
Conseil pour l’immigration de Berlin-Neukölln (« Migrationsbeirat »)
But : Un conseil spécial consacré aux migrants vivant à Neukölln. Structure: Processus : Berlin-Neukölln a créé une instance spécialement dédiée aux migrants qui vivent à Neukölln au sein de son...
The Inclusive Auckland Framework
Purpose: Fully committed to the principles of the Intercultural Cities Network. Stimulus/Rationale: Auckland Council's Inclusive Auckland Framework outlines an organization-wide change programme...
Intercultural Week
Purpose: The festival INCONTRI DI MOnDI is developing within the intercultural strategy of the Municipality of Casalecchio di Reno. The initiative, that is renewed every year since 2009, consists...
The “Second chance”: work qualification centre for migrants
Purpose: To give a “second chance” to refugees and other migrants who do not succeed in completing the professional, social and language training within the two years of the introduction programme...
The programme for unaccompanied minors (UAM)
Purpose: The purpose of the programme is to provide ongoing support and housing for unaccompanied children and young people, e.g. to include them in the Norwegian education system and help them...
Women’s House
Purpose: The Casa de las Mujeres de Donostia is a space for women to meet, debate and reflect in order to influence policies, programmes and projects that aim to advance towards real and effective...
Participation and interaction through renovation of public spaces: the example of Tabakalera
Tabakalera is a former tobacco factory that was converted into a contemporary culture centre. Located in the Egia district, the building is an impressive space (13,277m2) that organises, since...
Together for Stronger Communities
Purpose: Encouraging a sense of belonging and connection so that everyone can play their part in achieving Bradford’s ambitions Stimulus/Rationale: A greater sense of belonging and connection...
Creative anti-rumour writing
Purpose: To raise public awareness, prevent and address the formation of prejudices and stereotypes linked to migration and cultural diversity through creative writing. Rationale: This initiative...
Promoting multilingualism
Purpose: A language learning programme recognising and promoting the linguistic diversity in Barcelona’s neighbourhoods was launched to: foster multilingualism in the city and within the...
Espai Avinyó
Purpose: The Espai Avinyó aims to be a dialogue and a meeting space for promoting reflection on what cultural diversity implies in every sphere of society and on the challenges involved in...
Building a culture of human rights
Purpose: Improve capacities and raise awareness of Human Rights among citizens and organisations and mainstream a Human Rights approach within the City Council. Stimulus/Rationale: Sabadell...
Education projects for interculturality
Purpose: Education projects are aimed at building students competences – including intercultural competences-, raising awareness about diversity and promoting critical thinking. The City and School...
Stronger communities – The Schools Linking Network
Purpose: Supporting children and young people to explore identity, build connections & strengthen communities so everyone can live well together. Stimulus/Rationale: Bradford works with primary,...
Recognise and change
Purpose: The project aims to fight against discrimination and violence linked to the gender and cultural differences. Specific objectives: SO1: Increasing the awareness of the youth between 11 and...
La Rosa dei Venti - Mediation desk
Purpose: Enhance social inclusion of women - both foreign and Italian - through cultural and recreational activities. Stimulus/Rationale: Within the framework of gender equality and...
Interreligious policies - Interfaith Dialogue
Purpose: The Department of Civil Rights and Citizenship develops public policies for the protection of freedom of religion, belief, and conviction and to guarantee an enriching coexistence. These...
A global welcoming vision
Purpose: Reception is a fundamental stage in working towards more inclusive and cohesive societies in which people arriving from other countries can obtain the information, knowledge and skills...
Welcome guide ¡Hola!
Purpose: To improve the welcoming and social integration of migrants and refugees through education and art. This was done through the elaboration of a Guide, providing key information and advice...
The role of libraries as drivers of integration and intercultural interaction
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....
Equality Planning
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
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...
Council for civil society development
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...
Covid 19 practice
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%...
Reconciliation Action Plan
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
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
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...
Intercultural Cities Policy and Strategy
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
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
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...
Salisbury’s effective measures to combat discrimination
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...
Equality Review & Action Plan
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
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...
Refugee reception and integration policies- pilot project
Purpose: The purpose of the pilot project for Refugee reception was to offer answers to questions about how intercultural integration and reception should be handled in the city in order to promote...
Diverse Tenerife – Intercultural Strategy
Purpose: ‘Tenerife Lives Diversity’ is a strategic framework aimed at serving as a reference point for public administrations, associations and the citizens of the island of Tenerife, assisting...
OBITen - The Immigration Observatory of Tenerife
Purpose: The OBITen promoting scientific research into migratory movements on the island of Tenerife. It prioritises the need to apply theoretical knowledge to the planning and management of...
Together in the same direction (Juntas en la misma dirección)
Purpose: ‘Together in the same direction’ is a strategy for managing diversity that brings rigour and clarity to the actions to be implemented. This Strategic Plan also defines three main lines of...
Grupo de Diálogo Interreligioso (Group of Interfaith dialogue)
Purpose: The group of interfaith dialogue promotes spirituality through knowledge and understanding of different beliefs and religious or spiritual developments with a learning attitude. The...
The Diversity Lab
Purpose: The municipality launched the Diversity Lab programme to explore the advantages of cultural diversity, with reference to new plural economies and open innovation processes. An...
Intercultural Interaction: collective healing and memory of this time
Purpose: Using storytelling to build connections, address fears and ease anxiety. Stimulus/Rationale: In 2020 the Cities of Ballarat, Melton and Maribyrnong launched a Storytelling project...
Maribyrnong - Regeneration with a Focus on the Holistic Community
Stimulus/Rationale: The City of Maribyrnong is within the municipality of Melbourne, Australia, and is one of the most multicultural municipalities in Victoria. It aims to be an ‘Intercultural...
Salisbury develops inclusive welcoming and participation actions
Purpose: The “Welcome to Salisbury Information Booklet” and the “Community Engagement Framework” improves the intercultural profile of the Australian city. Process: The comprehensive city-specific...
Sister and Friendship City Policy
Purpose: The Australian City of Salisbury has an explicit policy to encourage international cooperation in the economic, scientific, cultural and other areas. Process: The “Sister City and...
Residents’ participation shows meaningful community engagement
Purpose: Salisbury seeks the participation of all residents through community workshops and surveys Process: The adoption of the Intercultural Strategic Plan 2017-2027 of the City of Salisbury was...
Statistics in help of city’s policy formulation
Purpose: The City of Salisbury’s Council policy formulation is heavily informed by demographic statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Stimulus/Rationale: Quantitative and qualitative...
Community Grants
Purpose: Encourage citizens’ participation and involvement in the city through access to public grants for community projects Process: Community Development is a process where community members...
Public Participation Networks (PPN)
Purpose: A Network to enhance community participation in local government - Promotes social inclusion - Links citizens with local authorities Stimulus/Rationale: Public Participation Networks (PPN)...
Lisbon’s ethnic economy
Purpose: The study aimed to support the development of immigrant entrepreneurship initiatives in Lisbon, and the main objectives were the following: Provide some basic socio‐economic features about...
Urban art for Intercultural Interaction - “o Bairro i o Mundo”
Purpose: Regenerating a stigmatised neighbourhood through large-scale art project Stimulus/Rationale: Quinta do Mocho was for many years the most stigmatised of neighbourhoods in Loures, associated...
Local Assemblies
Purpose: A network of citizen forums which empower local decision making and action Process: This programme started in 2008 and consists in a forum during which the Council talks to the residents,...
Educational equality in Oslo. Tackling educational segregation through raising standards
Purpose: The aim of this project is to combat educational segregation through organizational structures, activities and curricula that increase diversity and intercultural learning in public school...
District Mothers
Purpose: Migrant mothers reaching out to and integrating other migrant mothers Stimulus/Rationale: Process: The “Stadtteilmütter” (District Mothers) project is targeted at areas under Neighbourhood...
Nachbarschaftsheim Neukölln
Purpose: Community centre that encourages active and informed citizens Stimulus/Rationale: Process: Nachbarschaftsheim Neukölln is a community centre which aims to facilitate social cohesion and...
A city international policy
Purpose: An aspiring intercultural city should have an international policy that seeks, at least in part, to promote a dynamic relationship with places of origin of major Diaspora groups. Such...
Welcoming internationals to the city
Purpose: Several years ago, the Stavanger Chamber of Commerce and Industries started a program to introduce international employees and their families to the city. The region’s Welcome Center is...
First Welcome
Purpose: The city is applying an intercultural approach to dealing with welcoming newcomers, via a two-stage process. The First Welcome deals with the basic issues of identification, certification,...
Young Mayor
Purpose: Putting power and responsibility in the hands of young people. Stimulus/Rationale: Lewisham Young Mayor is a robust attempt to put real power and responsibility in the hands of young...
School Approaches for Family Empowerment (SAFE)
Purpose: SAFE aims to reach and involve public servants, intercultural mediators, school principals and families. It has been developed to give the school a central role in the process of social...
Johannes Learning Centre - a bilingual school which teaches and hires minorities
Purpose: Johannes Learning Centre is Stavanger’s main vehicle for building language competence. Although originally all the staff were Norwegians, 40% are now of minority background. The school has...
Don’t Feed the Rumour
Fight against misconceptions, prejudices, rumours and stereotypes about migrants and the city of Amadora, and provide correct information on migration and ethnic and cultural diversity “Immigrants...