On 22 May 2023, a seminar on the role of local authorities and the integration of migrants is being organised by the Council of Europe in co-operation with the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Civil Registry and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior in Lefkara, Cyprus. 

Elected officials and municipal policy officers will discuss the reform of local administration and in particular the competence of social policy and the integration of migrants, which according to article 43(2)(c) of the 2022 Law on Municipalities is assigned to the new municipalities. The seminar will examine the impact of the new legislation through an intercultural lens.

A proactive approach to intercultural integration at the local level can contribute to an increase in trust and social cohesion. Adopting an intercultural lens to policy-making can help communities to view diversity as a resource rather than a problem. By extension, intercultural policies can help prevent a fragmented society and conflict, while increasing policy effectiveness and making municipalities more attractive for people and investors alike.

Representatives of local authorities participating in the Regional Intercultural Networks will discuss the actions that have been taken towards intercultural integration under the Council of Europe/European Union joint project "Building structures for intercultural integration in Cyprus" and provide valuable input on the future steps that can be integrated into the national strategy for integration. Furthermore, representatives from the Council of Europe's Intercultural Cities network: Bradford (United Kingdom), Limassol (Cyprus), Lublin (Poland) and Reggio Emilia (Italy) will share their experiences of intercultural integration policy at the local level. 

The seminar takes place at the Lefkara Municipality Conference Center. English/Greek interpretation will be provided. Advance registration is required.  

• Draft agenda

This activity was prepared and implemented within the framework of the “Building structures for intercultural integration in Cyprus” project which is being carried out with funding from the European Union, via its Structural Reform Support Programme, and in co-operation with the European Commission's DG for Structural Reform Support.