The Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of dynamic growth, innovation, and partnership in advancing diversity, equality, and social cohesion across cities and regions worldwide. The ICC network expanded in 2025 with the addition of Shizuoka Prefecture (Japan), Gimpo (Republic of Korea), Iztapalapa (Mexico), and Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal), adding to the more than 160 cities and regions who have been a part of this Programme. These new additions underscore the programme’s increasing global relevance and illustrate the universal value of intercultural policies in diverse urban environments.
The Programme’s collaborations extended to global organisations and with its national networks in Australia, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Ukraine through capacity-building, and major inclusion projects—even in crisis contexts.
Building capacity and tools for intercultural inclusion: The ICC Programme empowers its members with comprehensive diagnostic tools, such as the Intercultural Cities Index, to help cities and regions evaluate, plan, and enhance their inclusion strategies. In 2025, Index reports and expert visits provided tailored policy advice and concrete peer learning opportunities to member cities in several countries. The Programme delivered capacity-building events and joint academies developed with international partners to address issues in migrant and refugee integration throughout Poland and the Baltic states. These initiatives strengthened practical policymaking and fostered intercultural competence at multiple levels of local governance.
Tackling modern challenges: disinformation and hate speech: Responding to rising concerns about disinformation and hate speech, the ICC organised a series of workshops and events, including in the No Hate Speech Week 2025. These events provided cities with practical tools to counter toxic narratives and foster community resilience.
Empowering communities and youth: The ICC Programme continued to champion active citizenship, with peer learning exchanges, inter-city grants for collaborative projects, and participated in vibrant cultural initiatives like the Multitude Festival in Seine-Saint-Denis (France). Special emphasis was placed on promoting diverse youth engagement during its annual event in Bergen, and expert visits to Reggio Emilia (Italy), Manlleu (Spain), Pontedera (Italy) and Oeiras (Portugal) also highlighted the particular role of youth in a context of wider community engagement.
A commitment to democratic renewal: The ICC Programme and its partners contributed to the Council of Europe’s “New Democratic Pact for Europe.” The ICC’s focus on inclusion, interaction, and participation is recognized as essential in restoring trust and reinforcing democracy at all levels.
Despite challenges, the 2025 survey revealed that most members credit the ICC Programme with driving real, positive change in their communities. The ICC remains committed to supporting cities and regions in building inclusive societies where diversity is celebrated and participation and interaction is encouraged.
