Intercultural cities: good practice examples - Intercultural cities programme

The Quality of Life Framework

New Zealand Auckland 2010 onwards

Purpose: Monitoring public perceptions of quality of life, including community, culture and social networks. Stimulus/Rationale: Auckland Council collaborates with other New Zealand councils to...

Auckland’s intercultural elections

New Zealand Auckland 2017 onwards

Purpose: Initiatives to encourage minority communities to engage in political life. Stimulus/Rationale: Local elections take place in New Zealand every three years. Since 2016 Auckland’s election...

Auckland’s minority advisory bodies

New Zealand Auckland 2018 onwards

Purpose: Advisory bodies in Auckland to represent cultural minorities and deal with diversity matters. Stimulus/Rationale: The Independent Māori Statutory Board (IMSB) is mandated through...

Auckland Council as an Inclusive Workplace

New Zealand Auckland 2022 onwards

Purpose: Auckland Council has an inclusive workplace where all people can feel valued and respected, work flexibly and be part of an organisation that acts as a champion of diversity and inclusion....

Neukölln publishes "Normalising Integration - Living together in an intercultural metropolis"

Germany Berlin-Neukölln 2018

Purpose: Policy and principles for an intercultural city Stimulus/Rationale: Process: "Normalising Integration - Living together in an intercultural metropolis" is both a comprehensive policy...

The Inclusive Auckland Framework

New Zealand Auckland 2019 onwards

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...

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)

New Zealand Auckland 2018 onwards

Purpose: A celebration of the culture and language of the 700,000 Māori people living in New Zealand. Stimulus/Rationale: As an intercultural City, Auckland celebrates and encourages the use of...

Creative city of Fittja (Kreativ stadsmiljö Fittja)

Sweden Botkyrka 2019-2022

From 2019 until 2022 Botkyrka will implement the programme “Creative city of Fittaj”, aiming to improve security and safety in vulnerable areas of the city by opening up public spaces and making...

Creative anti-rumour writing

Spain Bilbao Since 2017

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...

Espai Avinyó

Spain Barcelona 2011 - ongoing

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...

Promoting multilingualism

Spain Barcelona

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...

Intercultural Week

Italy Casalecchio di Reno 2009-ongoing Casalecchio di Reno, Italy

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

Norway Bergen Ongoing

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)

Norway Bergen Ongoing

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...

Together for Stronger Communities

United Kingdom Bradford 2019

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...

Women’s House

Spain Donostia-San Sebastian Since 2008

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

Spain Donostia-San Sebastian 2019 on

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...

Interreligious policies - Interfaith Dialogue

Spain Sabadell Since 2010

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

Spain Sabadell Since 2008

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...

Building a culture of human rights

Spain Sabadell 2020

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

Spain Sabadell 2020

Purpose: Education projects are aimed at building students competences – including intercultural competences-, raising awareness about diversity and promoting critical thinking. The City and School...

Welcome guide ¡Hola!

Spain Tenerife 2016 - ongoing

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...

La Rosa dei Venti - Mediation desk

Italy Novellara 2018-on going

Purpose: Enhance social inclusion of women - both foreign and Italian - through cultural and recreational activities. Stimulus/Rationale: Within the framework of gender equality and...

Diverse Tenerife – Intercultural Strategy

Spain Tenerife 2016 - ongoing

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...

Grupo de Diálogo Interreligioso (Group of Interfaith dialogue)

Spain Tenerife 2017 - ongoing

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...

Recognise and change

Italy Turin 36 months (01/10/2017 – 30/09/2020)

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...

Stronger communities – The Schools Linking Network

United Kingdom Bradford JAN - DEC 2020

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,...

Database of refugees

Germany Erlangen 2017

Purpose: A database to protect private data and speed up the stream of information between different departments. Stimulus/Rationale: For a long time, data about refugees in Erlangen were...

XEIX

Spain Barcelona Since 2012

Purpose: The XEIX project aims at promoting commercial associations as a meeting point and generation of neighbourhood identity. The project is about fostering intercultural relations in...

The Copenhagen Host Programme

Denmark Copenhagen 2016-19

Purpose: The aim of Copenhagen’s Host Programme is to facilitate encounters between newly arrived migrants and Copenhageners who wish to volunteer as hosts to promote integration into Danish...

Action Plan for Inclusion and Diversity

Norway Bergen 2018-2022 (still in use)

Purpose: The city council of Bergen wanted to formally adopt a public statement of its intentions as an Intercultural city. Stimulus/Rationale: The primary driver for this initiative was political...

Intercultural public space

Spain Barcelona since 2021

Purpose: The purpose of these actions is to encourage the creation of spaces and opportunities for positive interaction and the generation of ties and relationships on equal terms....

Intercultural Ambassadors

Australia Ballarat 2016 on

The Intercultural Ambassador Program aims to enhance community awareness and social acceptance in Ballarat, foster leadership within multicultural and Indigenous communities, and highlight the...

Setúbal - Office for Immigrants and Ethnic Minorities

Portugal Setúbal 2004 - ongoing

Purpose: A transversal approach to managing intercultural issues on a municipality Stimulus/Rationale: The City Council, for more than a decade, has been working on the integration of immigrants,...

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...

Association Tabadol

France Lyon 2016

Training professionals across all field to adopt intercultural and interfaith approaches Tabadol is an association which takes an ‘anti-bias’ approach involving four steps: recognising and valuing...

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...

Towards an Inclusive Public Transport Service

Ireland Dublin 2016

Dublin fights racism and discrimination in public transport Dublin City Council in partnership with Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Equality Authority of Ireland and partners in public transport...

Afrikaanderplein

Netherlands Rotterdam 2016

Reinvigorating a stigmatised public space through local initiative Afrikaanderplein is a large open space in the middle of multi-ethnic Feijenoord in Rotterdam South. This park, the size of several...

Förskolan Örnen

Sweden Botkyrka 2016

Nurturing intercultural place-making skills in youngsters Förskolan Örnen (Eagle Primary Schaool), in Alby on the fringes of Stockholm, has 130 pupils, 99% of whom have Swedish as a second language...

Fabuleuses traversées

France Lyon 2016

Pupils sharing their history while reinforcing the feeling of belonging In an effort to find out more about their origins and their present identities, the pupils of a final year class (CM2) at...

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 Cafes

Sweden Botkyrka 2016

Enjoy a coffee, meet friends and strangers and undermine local rumours In Botkyrka, anti-rumours cafés have been set up in libraries as a public platform to discuss and explore rumours and...

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...

Oogst met mij mee! Kook met mij mee! (Harvest with me. Cook with me)

Netherlands Rotterdam 2016

Building community cohesion and good health through growing and cooking together Trained chef Hans Kervezee had originally planned to open a restaurant in the ethnically-mixed Agniesebuurt area of...

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...

Women in Botkyrka

Sweden Botkyrka Implemented for three years, starting on 1st March 2018

Capacity building and possibilities for foreign-born women to enter the labour market and/or education and thereby contribute to social and financial freedom. cooperation through partnership...

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...

Festival delle Culture

Italy Ravenna 2007-on going

Purpose: The project aims at fostering social participation and engagement and making the migrants’ association protagonists and responsible of the communication about the topic issues....

Neuchâtel Action Week against Racism

Switzerland Neuchâtel Each year in March

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...

Renewal of the CICM

Switzerland Neuchâtel 18 months with the appointment of members in November 2017

To boost the Integration Commission and consult on its composition The members of the Community for Integration and Multicultural Cohesion (CICM) must be reappointed by the State Council...

Adaptation of Internally Displaced

Ukraine Lutsk 2016 onwards

Purpose: Promote adaptation and participation in the city life of newcomers (IDPs) Process: As a part of its Intercultural Strategy, the city authorities pay particular attention to facilitating...

Geneva: the City tackles hurtful words

Switzerland Geneva 2018

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...

“Small Theatre – Great Place for Inspiration”

Ukraine Pavlograd 2018

Using the city’s urban heritage to cope with societal challenges. The renovation and transformation of the historical Pavlograd Drama Theatre from the 19th century was part of an initiative within...

Study in Lisbon programme

Portugal Lisbon 2018 - ongoing

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...

Building human rights and equality competency

Iceland Reykjavik 2018-2021

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...

Through the iGen Foundation the Australian civil society promotes the practice of interculturalism in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region

Australia Ballarat 2018

Since 2015, iGen Foundation, a company established in Australia which works mainly in the area of youth and migrant entrepreneurship and management consulting, is meeting Mayors and other elected...

Centre of Interculturality (“Núcleo da Interculturalidade”)

Portugal Lisbon 1993-ongoing

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...

"Identity Map: the Language of Dissent"

Ukraine Lutsk 2018

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...

Conseil pour l’immigration de Berlin-Neukölln (« Migrationsbeirat »)

Germany Berlin-Neukölln à partir 2016

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...

Weeks of culture

Ukraine Melitopol 2018

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

Norway Oslo 2018 (permanent)

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

Ukraine Vinnitsya 2018

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

Portugal Santa Maria da Feira ongoing

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...

Salisbury’s strong effort in the educational sphere

Australia Salisbury 2020

The regular intercultural projects carried out by Salisbury’s schools highlight the intercultural nature of the City. Great examples of this effort are the programs “Community Hubs Australia”,...

Sister and Friendship City Policy

Australia Salisbury

The Australian City of Salisbury has an explicit policy to encourage international cooperation in the economic, scientific, cultural and other areas. The “Sister City and Friendship Selection and...

Intercultural Community Alliance

Australia Salisbury

The Salisbury Intercultural Community Alliance (SICA) is a network that informs the City Council on matters related to the diversity, the integration and the implementation of the Intercultural...

Policies to decrease inequalities and structural issues

United Kingdom Leeds 2020

Under the Equality Act 2010, the city runs Equality Impact Assessments. These ensure that they give due regard to equality, diversity, cohesion and integration when making key decisions on...

Intercultural Interaction: collective healing and memory of this time

Australia Ballarat Maribyrnong Melton 2020

In 2020 the Cities of Ballarat, Melton and Maribyrnong launched a Storytelling project involving a series of three remotely delivered workshops that focused on how the art of storytelling can be...

Equalities Assembly in Leeds

United Kingdom Leeds 2020 and on

Local authorities have statutory obligations to consider equality in the United Kingdom (UK). The Equalities Assembly was set up by Leeds to ensure all diverse communities are involved in the...

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...

Anti-Discrimination Bureaux

Sweden Botkyrka

Concept Local Anti-Discrimination Bureaux assist people who experience discrimination. They are independent non-governmental organisations that explain their rights to people, assist them to make a...

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...