Intercultural Cities / Cités interculturelles

03/06/2026

Local responses to disinformation and trauma‑informed integration were at the centre of a two‑day training held on 27–28 May 2026 in Riga, where 13 participants from cities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania strengthened practical skills for supporting migrants and refugees at the local level.

The session marked the conclusion of the Academy on the Integration of Migrants and Refugees in the Baltic Countries, an inter‑agency initiative involving the ICC Programme, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), OECD and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

This training, co‑organised by the Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme and ODIHR, allowed participants to explore how trauma can shape the experiences of migrants and refugees and how municipal services can adapt to respond sensitively and effectively.

Anti-discrimination and Inclusion at the Council of Europe

29/05/2026

Les 28 et 29 avril 2026, Seine-Saint-Denis, le Département a accueilli une délégation du Programme des cités interculturelles du Conseil de l'Europe dans le cadre d'une visite d'expert·es axée sur l'inclusion interculturelle et la cohésion sociale. Cette visite sert de base à l'évaluation des politiques d'inclusion interculturelle du département de la Seine-Saint-Denis au regard de l’Index des cités interculturelles, un outil permettant d'élaborer des mesures concrètes visant à renforcer davantage l'action du département dans ce domaine. Pendant deux jours, la délégation a eu l'occasion de visiter différentes parties du département et de découvrir diverses initiatives locales uniques promouvant les valeurs de diversité et d'égalité.

Cette visite a souligné l’engagement du département à créer des espaces inclusifs et à soutenir le dialogue interculturel : un exemple fort au sein du Programme des Cités Interculturelles. Le Programme ICC se réjouit de poursuivre sa coopération avec le département de la Seine-Saint-Denis.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/successful-expert-visit-on-the-intercultural-cities-index-in-seine-saint-denis-promoting-intercultural-dialogue-and-inclusion

Anti-discrimination and Inclusion at the Council of Europe

Photo: Vue aérienne de la Seine-Saint-Denis © Département de la Seine Saint Denis

29/05/2026

The Intercultural Cities Programme has published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of dynamic growth, innovation, and partnership in advancing diversity, equality, and social cohesion across cities and regions worldwide. The ICC network expanded in 2025 with the addition of Shizuoka Prefecture (Japan), Gimpo (Republic of Korea), Iztapalapa (Mexico), and Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal), adding to the more than 160 cities and regions who have been a part of this Programme.

Despite challenges, the 2025 survey revealed that most members credit the ICC Programme with driving real, positive change in their communities. The ICC remains committed to supporting cities and regions in building inclusive societies where diversity is celebrated and participation and interaction is encouraged.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/the-icc-programme-publishes-its-2025-annual-report-advancing-inclusion-and-diversity-worldwide

29/05/2026

06/05/2026

📣📣📣 Have Your Say: Help Shape the 10 Principles for Inclusive Societies and Stronger Democracies

The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on Intercultural Inclusion (ADI‑INT) intends to contribute to the New Democratic Pact for Europe through the development of the 10 Principles for inclusive societies and stronger democracies. The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, through OBERAXE as ADI‑INT Chair, is leading the drafting, and a public consultation is now open to gather inputs.

The 10 Principles show how equality, participation, meaningful interaction and the recognition of diversity as a strength can reinforce trust, cohesion and democratic resilience.

We invite public authorities, civil society, researchers and practitioners to share their views so the Principles are clear, relevant and ready for real‑world application.

🕧Deadline: 18 May 2026

Take the survey: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=grBJPtViSUilsIbtUZKH0kGLpadQp6ZNgoL6ShT_c9FUOEpGUkJXRE9aMjkyRzJaNkpaQVVGMzBWMi4u

19/03/2026

A new training manual is equipping public institutions with concrete tools to develop LGBTI+ intercultural competences, marking a milestone in the practical application of the Council of Europe's inclusion approach to help professionals turn rights into concrete everyday experiences of safety, equity, and belonging for LGBTI+ people.

Produced through the Rainbow Connections Project with funding from the Council of Europe, a collaboration between Oeiras (Portugal) and Leeds (United Kingdom)—both ICC network members—the LGBTI+ Intercultural Competences Training Manual responds to the persistent gap between legal frameworks and lived equality for LGBTI+ communities in Europe.

Those resources take into account the recently adopted Committee of Minsters Recommendation on Equal Rights for Intersex Persons, as well as the ICC Manual for the design of a training course on intercultural competence and the guide on Identifying and Preventing Systemic Discrimination at the Local Level.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/new-manual-empowers-municipalities-with-intercultural-tools-for-lgbti-inclusion

Rede Portuguesa das Cidades Interculturais Council of Europe Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination

Credit: anaana pt design; Rainbow Connections project, City of Oeiras, City of Leeds. With support from the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme’s grant scheme, a new...

16/03/2026

We congratulate the municipality of Oeiras, Portugal, for its continued commitment to diversity, equality, and intercultural participation, as evidenced in its latest intercultural profile following the Expert Visit in December 2025.

Oeiras now stands in the top quartile of its peers, having significantly outperformed the average among similar-sized cities in applying an intercultural lens, international outlook, and intercultural intelligence and competence. This reflects not only growing awareness but also enhanced capacity for action across municipal services and civil society partnerships.

The Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme congratulates the municipality of Oeiras, Portugal, for its continued commitment to diversity, equality, and intercultural...

13/03/2026

FR: La Ville de Sherbrooke fait figure de pionnière au Canada en lançant la toute première Stratégie anti-rumeurs (SAR) du pays, conçue pour lutter activement contre le racisme, les discriminations et la désinformation sur la diversité culturelle. Cette approche, implantée grâce à l’implication d’une douzaine de personnes participantes issues de milieux variés, marque une avancée majeure vers la création de communautés plus inclusives et exemptes de préjugés. ///

EN: The City of Sherbrooke is a pioneer in Canada as it launches the country’s very first Anti-Rumours Strategy, designed to actively combat racism, discrimination, and misinformation about cultural diversity. This initiative, implemented with the involvement of a dozen participants from various backgrounds, marks a major step forward towards creating more inclusive and prejudice-free communities.

Participant.e.s discutent lors du lancement de la Stratégie anti-rumeurs de la ville de Sherbrooke. Photo : Ville de Sherbrooke La Ville de Sherbrooke fait figure de pionnière au Canada en...

03/03/2026

This call for proposals is launched in the framework of the Council of Europe Strategy for Roma and Traveller Inclusion (2026-2030). It aims to co-fund international projects aimed at ensuring...

25/02/2026

The latest Intercultural Cities (ICC) Intercultural Profile recognises Pontedera’s substantial strides in promoting inclusion and diversity at the local level. The Tuscan city’s initiatives—such as the creation of an Intercultural Office, a new Intercultural Plan, and an active Intercultural Roundtable—reflect consistent political will and growing civil society involvement.

Building on a strong local infrastructure for civil society and co-operation with business, Pontedera shows particular strengths in education, cultural programmes, and opportunities for intercultural interaction in public spaces. Innovative participatory structures, including the Roundtable, help ensure a wide range of voices are heard in local policy-making. The personal commitment of local councillors, including the mayor, to pursuing a more inclusive and hence stronger local community was also manifest. The city’s participation in European projects such as Divercities, NET-IDEA, and DiversaMente has fostered youth empowerment, anti-discrimination efforts, and creative cooperation across sectors.

ICEI Rete Italiana delle Città del Dialogo

https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/pontedera-italy-progress-and-next-steps-on-the-intercultural-cities-icc-index