Description
Launched as part of the EU Action Plan against Racism 2020-2025 and the LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025, the annual European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award is one of the Commission's initiatives for an Equality Union. The award recognises the work done by cities, small towns or regions in the European Union to promote inclusion and create societies without discrimination. It covers initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in terms of gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and LGBTIQ equality. Another aspect that the award jury took into account was the attention paid by the authorities to the intersectionality and interdependence of different risks of discrimination and disadvantage.
Nominations for the third edition of the award could be submitted from 6 December 2023 to 15 February 2024. A jury of experts evaluated the applications received on the basis of various criteria, including the nature and scope of the initiatives, their impact and the involvement in policy-making of groups exposed to discrimination.
This year's winning cities and regions were announced at a ceremony on 25 April in Brussels, marking the start of European Diversity Month 2024. European Diversity Month was first launched in May 2020 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Platform for Diversity Charters. It celebrates efforts to contribute to the creation of fair and inclusive environments for the benefit of all. The initiative is part of the European Commission's commitment to fight discrimination and promote diverse and inclusive workplaces.
This year's winners are cities and municipalities from Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden for their commitment to building fairer societies by promoting diversity and inclusion regardless of gender, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation.
Winners of the European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity Award 2024 - category "local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants
- first place goes to the city of Zagreb, Croatia, for a number of specific initiatives and strategies on how to support, protect and include women, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ people, migrants and Roma;
- in second place is the municipality of Växjö, Sweden, for its comprehensive approach to mainstreaming gender perspectives at the level of regional policies and programmes;
- third is the city of La Laguna, Spain, for its wide range of initiatives and the scope of its policies related to gender, migrants, disability, age, LGBTIQ, ethnicity and religion.
Winners of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity 2024 award - category 'local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants
- first prize-winner is the city of Corbetta (MI), Italy, for its wide range of actions and initiatives with an intersectional and participatory perspective, particularly in relation to people with disabilities, women and LGBTIQ people;
- runner-up is the city of Miranda de Ebro, Spain, for the innovative approach of the House of Equality, which is a pole for the implementation of programmes and initiatives to overcome various forms of discrimination. It offers educational and awareness-raising initiatives, cultural events and community initiatives;
- in third place is the municipality of Casares, Spain, for its commendable ambition and commitment to promoting equality and inclusion, despite its relatively small size (9,000 inhabitants).
Special award for authorities that provide safe cities and regions for women in all their diversity by addressing violence against women:
- first place goes to the city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, which in cooperation with civil society supports solidarity efforts to establish a comprehensive support system to address violence against women;
- second prize goes to the city of Miranda de Ebro, Spain, which, with the active participation of women victims of violence, brings together policy makers, educators, social services and civil society in a common front; one example is an initiative involving law enforcement and social services to provide safe housing and emergency accommodation for victims;
- the third prize goes to the municipality of Växjö, Sweden, for its strategic planning in terms of funding, support and awareness-raising, as well as for establishing a department dedicated to violence against women.
The public's award, voted during the ceremony, goes to Corbetta (MI), Italy.
Source: European Commission Representation in Italy Press Office
Photos: EC