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As the Participa City initiative continues addressing racism and discrimination targeting ethnic and cultural minorities across Europe, the involvement of national steering groups is vital to maintain the project’s relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with the communities it aims to serve. What is a Steering Group? Each national steering group consists of members drawn from ethnic and cultural minority communities. These groups offer continuous feedback throughout the different phases of the project. Their input leads to adjustments that are integrated by…

We are excited to share some highlights from our second transnational partner meeting, which took place on September 24-25, 2025, in the wonderful city of Lille, France. Our warm thanks go to our hosts at GrDr, whose outstanding organization and welcoming hospitality made the gathering especially memorable. The meeting proved highly productive in pushing forward the goals of the Participa City project. A central focus of the meeting was the joint creation of new and engaging scenarios for the Participa…

In alignment with the Participa City project’s initiatives to prevent racism and discrimination against ethnic and cultural minorities across Europe, the City of Lille has introduced an innovative Territorial Action Plan targeting Racism, Antisemitism, and Discrimination Based on Origin for the years 2025–2026. This plan aims to strengthen preventive measures, encourage the participation of marginalized communities, and raise awareness among decision-makers to dismantle systemic discrimination—all core objectives shared with Participa City. On June 4, the City of Lille formally launched…

Over recent months, Participa City partner organizations have compiled various “critical incidents”—actual events where individuals either personally encountered discrimination due to their ethnic or cultural background or witnessed discriminatory behaviour affecting others. Analyzing these incidents has demonstrated that discrimination and racism persist widely across multiple facets of life throughout Europe. Participants reported incidents spanning diverse areas, including education, housing, and the labour market. These cases primarily involved people with migrant backgrounds and ethnic minorities, though distinct country-specific patterns also emerged.…

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…

A newly established network in the German state of Lower Saxony aims to enhance and increase the visibility of anti-discrimination educational efforts within local schools. The “Netzwerk Diskriminierungskritische Schule Niedersachsen (NDS²) / Network of Schools Critical of Discrimination in Lower Saxony” is committed to transforming schools into environments that promote respectful coexistence. This mission requires a firm position against anti-democratic tendencies and the creation of practical tools to actively address and challenge discrimination. A Dynamic Kickoff: Unified Voices Against Discrimination…

Racism and discrimination continue to challenge Europe’s commitment to equality, justice, and social unity. Despite existing laws across all EU member states prohibiting racial discrimination, it has become clear that legislation alone cannot fully address the systemic issues. A 2023 EU-wide survey reveals that a majority of people perceive widespread discrimination in their countries based on factors such as being Roma (65%), skin colour (61%), ethnic origin (60%), gender identity (specifically transgender status, 57%), and sexual orientation (54%). Additionally, about…

The Participa City project, supported by EU funding, is actively engaged in efforts to prevent racism and discrimination targeting ethnic and cultural minorities throughout Europe. Central to the project’s mission is the promotion of inclusion and meaningful participation of these minorities within European societies. By raising awareness among decision-makers and stakeholders, the project seeks to dismantle discriminatory structures and practices and foster environments that embrace diversity and equity. Currently, Participa City is immersed in its crucial research phase, aiming to…