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 project partners to enhance the European Participa City game. This ongoing interaction guarantees that the project moves forward in accordance with its inclusion and empowerment objectives.

Steering Group Meetings and Their Impact

Regular gatherings of the Participa City national steering groups create an open platform for discussing progress and outcomes. Project partners actively facilitate these sessions to gather a broad spectrum of viewpoints and recommendations. Since the project principally serves ethnic and cultural minorities in Europe, amplifying their voices through steering groups is fundamental to shaping outputs precisely tailored to their needs. This involvement reduces the risk of overlooking critical goals and amplifies social impact.

During the initial meeting, partners presented the overall project aims and solicited feedback on developments thus far. Particular attention was given to the critical incidents database, which documents actual instances of discrimination experienced or observed in all partner countries. Participants assessed the relevance of these cases and reflected on lessons learned.

The steering groups emphasized the importance of:

  • Recognizing and confronting stereotypes,
  • Empowering minority individuals to self-advocate,
  • Cultivating inclusive spaces by rejecting discriminatory norms.

These valuable insights reinforce Participa City’s dedication to designing a responsive and inclusive European game by ensuring that the lived experiences and perspectives of ethnic and cultural minorities guide the project outcomes.