We are thrilled to share a major achievement within the European Participa City partnership! After months of dedicated collaboration, our team of partners has made significant progress in uncovering how racism and discrimination surface across different countries at the national level. More importantly, we have gained a clearer understanding of the obstacles that prevent fuller participation and inclusion of ethnic and cultural minorities in society.

In-depth Exploration

Over the past several months, all partner organizations have engaged in extensive research activities. Through a combined approach of a joint survey and comprehensive interviews with prominent voices in the field of anti-discrimination, we have collected meaningful data and personal narratives. While this data is not statistically representative, it provides a rich and powerful snapshot into the national realities and challenges faced by minorities in combating discrimination within their local contexts.

Our analysis has revealed critical insights into:

  • Who is affected: Identification of the primary groups experiencing racism and discrimination in each partner country.
  • Where it happens: Mapping out the sectors and institutional stakeholders where discrimination is most prevalent.
  • What stands in the way: Highlighting the structural and systemic barriers that hinder the participation and inclusion of minority communities.

Additionally, we have compiled and documented “critical incidents”—real-life stories where individuals reported having faced discrimination based on their ethnic or cultural background. These collected experiences are being incorporated into a transnational database that will directly inform the design of authentic and impactful game scenarios, as well as targeted, evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice improvements.

Looking Ahead

The coordination team is now consolidating all findings into a comprehensive transnational report. This key document will not only shed light on the persistent challenges minority groups confront but will also provide practical and actionable insights aimed at improving racism prevention strategies across the Participa City partner countries.

As the project continues to build momentum, we invite all stakeholders and interested parties to stay connected with us for future updates. Together, we are advancing towards a more inclusive Europe, where participation is truly accessible to all.