For the first time, the European Commission launched the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award. The initiative already announced within the ‘Action Plan against the racism’ and ‘The LGBTIQ equality strategy’, aims to give recognition and visibility to the best practices developed by European cities or regions to promote inclusion and create societies free from discrimination.

More specifically, the competition aims to highlight and enhance best practices that:

• promote diversity (in terms of gender, age, disability, LGBTIQ identity, religion and ethnic/racial origins) as a source of wealth and innovation;
• contribute to inclusive policies and systems;
• promote a feeling of belonging for all citizens.

The competition is open to all EU local authorities who can apply for two categories:

– local governments with less than 50,000 inhabitants,

– local administrations with over 50,000 inhabitants.

For each of the 2 categories 3 winning local administrations will be selected, namely the first, second and third classified of the competition. The title of European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity will be awarded to the first ranked administrations.

In addition, in 2022 the European Commission also want to award a specific prize to local administrations, regardless of their size, which promote the inclusion of Roma communities. Also, in this case three winners will be nominated (first, second and third place).

The European Commission will announce the winners of the new European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award and the Specific Roma Prize at the award ceremony to be held (in Brussels or online) on 28 April 2022. The event will bring together policy makers, municipal officials and representatives of organisations promoting diversity in Europe and kick off the European Diversity Month.

All applications for the competition must be submitted online by 15 February 2022, 12:00 CET.

More information on https://www.eudiversity2022.eu/the-award/

Estimated time of reading: ~ 2 minute

Written by: Margherita Genua

Submitted on: 14.01.2022