European Coalition of Cities Against Racism - ECCAR

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European Coalition of Cities Against Racism - ECCAR

156 cities from 24 European countries joined ECCAR and adopted the "Ten-Point Action Plan" of the network.

The European Coalition of Cities against Racism was launched in Nuremberg (Germany) in December 2004 on the occasion of the 4th European Conference of Cities for Human Rights. Approximately 100 municipalities from 20 countries of Europe have joined this initiative since its inception. The City of Nuremberg has taken over the role of the lead city for this regional network and acts as its Administrative Secretariat.

08/09/2026

📊 Data can help cities take stronger action against racism.

The Municipality of - Ufficio Diritti Comune Bologna has released the Fourth Report of its Anti-discrimination Help Centre (SPAD), analysing discrimination reports recorded throughout 2025.

Developed together with COSPE onlus and the organisations of the SPAD Network, the report combines data, legal analysis and recommendations to better understand discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin and religion, while identifying ways to improve local policies.

By turning evidence into action, cities can strengthen , promote , inspire , and build fairer communities for all through .

Check our website for more information and download the report here: https://www.eccar.info/en/news/bologna-publishes-fourth-report-its-anti-discrimination-help-centre-spad

31/08/2026

✊🏿 “The majority of people of African descent in Europe live in cities, making local action essential to addressing anti-black racism and ensuring their rights.” - Evans Gumbe, ECCAR Vice President, City of Ratzeburg & Amt Lauenburgische Seen

🏙️On 31 August, the calls attention to the rights, histories, cultures and contributions of people of African descent around the world. Local governments can take concrete action by strengthening anti-racism strategies, ensuring safe and accessible mechanisms for reporting discrimination, empowering people affected by racism, and creating meaningful opportunities for participation.

The United Nations’ Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025-2034), under the theme “Recognition, Justice and Development”, provides an important framework for advancing these efforts and turning recognition into concrete action.

On this , we reaffirm the importance of local action in making Recognition, Justice and Development a reality.

© Joe Pohl & Patrick Böttger

23/08/2026

🕊️ On 23 August, the honours the memory of millions of people who were enslaved and recalls the struggles of those who resisted and fought for freedom.

The uprising that began on the night of 22 to 23 August 1791 in Saint-Domingue, today Haiti, became a turning point in the history of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. This day invites us to reflect on the causes, consequences and lasting impacts of this history.

Through the Programme, UNESCO works to break the silence surrounding the history of slavery and the slave trade by supporting research, memory transmission and intercultural dialogue. By recognising places of history and memory, these efforts help preserve collective heritage and strengthen the understanding of how the past continues to shape societies today.

🏙️ Cities, including those across Europe, have an important role in preserving historical memory, acknowledging the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, and addressing the forms of racism and discrimination that continue to affect communities today. This work contributes to building grounded in dignity, equality and .

Remembering the past is a step towards creating more just societies and strengthening dialogue between communities.

📧Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about and join the Programme

12/08/2026

🌍 Cities advancing

On 25 June, ECCAR and the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) launched the Environmental Justice City Lab, creating a space where cities can connect climate, environment, sustainability, equality, and anti-racism policies.

The City Lab will help cities recognise existing practices, learn from one another and build more connected approaches to local governance. 🌱🤝

👉 Swipe through to discover the main highlights and read how cities are working towards and more : https://www.eccar.info/en/news/eccar-and-cnca-launch-environmental-justice-city-lab

25/07/2026

Visibility matters.

For the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent, ECCAR Director Ivie Obulor and Channeh Maram Joof, Special Advisor to the City of Oslo kommune reflect on why representation in city administrations and public life matters.

Black women and girls are an essential part of our cities. As Ivie reminds us, if public institutions want to serve diverse communities effectively, they also need to reflect that diversity.

Drawing on her experience in local politics, Channeh explains that representation influences both better policymaking and people's sense of belonging. Seeing yourself reflected in public institutions can strengthen confidence and encourage participation.

Her message to young women and girls of African descent is clear:

"There are challenges, yes, but that doesn't mean it has to stop you."

🎥 Watch the video and join the conversation:
https://youtube.com/shorts/X_ZHecns6DM?feature=share

25/07/2026

In 2024, the United Nations proclaimed 25 July as the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent. Celebrated for the first time in 2025, it coincides with the International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women, commemorated since 1992. It recognizes and reinforces decades of advocacy by women of African descent around the world, while celebrating their leadership, resilience, and contributions to society.

As ECCAR Director Ivie Obulor reminds us, reflecting on Sojourner Truth's historic words, "Ain't I a Woman?", Black women and girls continue to face barriers that are too often overlooked, even within feminist movements.

Special Advisor to the City of Oslo kommune, Channeh Maram, shares a powerful message with :
"Your background is not a barrier. It is a resource."

Watch the video and hear their messages: https://youtube.com/shorts/vUxkaUInmOQ?feature=share

17/07/2026

📘 Recap - Barcelona launches its new Anti-Racism Plan at the Barcelona Forum 2026

In June 2026, during the Barcelona Antiracism Forum, the City of Barcelona (Ajuntament de Barcelona) officially launched its new Anti-Racism Plan 2026–2036, marking a significant milestone in the city’s commitment to tackling structural and institutional racism.

The launch was inaugurated by Mayor Jaume Collboni (Jaume Collboni) and Deputy Mayor Maria Eugènia Gay (). During the event, Deputy Mayor of Heidelberg_de Stefanie Jansen (), and Barcelona City Councillor and ECCAR Vice President Sara Belbeida (Sara Belbeida) highlighted the importance of continuous political leadership in advancing equality and human rights at the local level.

Developed together with local communities, experts and organisations, the Plan sets out concrete actions to promote , strengthen participation, improve institutional responses to discrimination and embed across municipal services.

was proud to support the official launch by co-designing the programme. Contributions from ECCAR President Benedetto Zacchiroli (Benedetto Zacchiroli), Vice President Danijel Cubelic (Danijel Benjamin Ćubelić) and Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor Dr Linda Hyökki (Linda Hyökki) highlighted the value of long-term, cross-departmental strategies to strengthen democratic resilience and protect human rights in our cities.

📥 Discover Barcelona’s Anti-Racism Action Plan and explore how local action can help build . Link in bio.

17/07/2026

📘 Recap - Barcelona launches its new Anti-Racism Plan at the Barcelona Forum 2026

In June 2026, during the Barcelona Antiracism Forum, the City of Barcelona (Barcelona.cat) officially launched its new Anti-Racism Plan 2026–2036, marking a significant milestone in the city's commitment to tackling structural and institutional racism.

The launch was inaugurated by Mayor Jaume Collboni and Deputy Mayor Maria Eugènia Gay. During the event, Deputy Mayor of heidelberg.de Stefanie Jansen, and Barcelona City Councillor and ECCAR Vice President Sara Belbeida highlighted the importance of continuous political leadership in advancing equality and human rights at the local level.

Developed together with local communities, experts and organisations, the Plan sets out concrete actions to promote , strengthen participation, improve institutional responses to discrimination and embed across municipal services.

was proud to support the official launch by co-designing the programme. Contributions from ECCAR President Benedetto Zacchiroli , Vice President Danijel Benjamin Ćubelić and Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor Dr Linda Hyökki highlighted the value of long-term, cross-departmental strategies to strengthen democratic resilience and protect human rights in our cities.

📥 Discover Barcelona's Anti-Racism Action Plan and explore how local action can help build : https://www.eccar.info/en/news/barcelona-forum-2026-eccar-supports-launch-barcelonas-anti-racism-plan-2026-2036

10/07/2026

🌍 Faces of ECCAR: The Steering Committee – The City of Rotterdam

The City of Rotterdam - Gemeente Rotterdam has been a dedicated member of ECCAR since 2006 and continues to guide our network as a re-elected member of the (2025-2029).

📍 Special focus: A primary pillar of the city’s administrative layout is its collaboration with IDEM, the city's urban expertise centre for discrimination and equal treatment. IDEM works in a vital advisory capacity for the Municipality of Rotterdam, conducting groundbreaking research into the structural barriers faced by marginalised communities.

A major focus of their recent work includes an in-depth, intersectional analysis of labor market discrimination experienced by Muslim women, tracking the shift from explicit racism and sexism to subtle micro-aggressions. This research is directly utilised by municipal policy makers to enforce legislative protections, build structural alliances, and foster genuinely diverse workplaces.

The Steering Committee helps shape ECCAR’s direction, priorities, and strategic vision in the fight against racism, discrimination, and inequality.

🔎 Learn more about Rotterdam’s equal treatment policies and IDEM’s research here:https://www.eccar.info/sites/default/files/document/ENG_ECCAR%20Guidebook%20Local%20Actions%20against%20Anti-Muslim%20Racism.pdf

Thank you for representing the City of Rotterdam at our ECCAR General Assembly Meeting in Zurich and for your exceptional leadership in driving evidence-based, intersectional anti-racist governance! ✊🏼

➡️ Stay tuned to discover all the Faces of ECCAR over the coming weeks and see how are advancing across Europe.

©️ Joe Pohl & Patrick Böttger

10/07/2026

🌍 Faces of ECCAR: The Steering Committee - The City of Oulu

The City of Oulu - Oulun kaupunki - City of Oulu joined ECCAR in 2025 and we are thrilled to welcome them as a newly elected member of the (2025-2029).

📍 Special focus: Oulu launched in 2025 a comprehensive process to implement its local 10-Point Action Plan against Racism. Directed by a high-level steering group of department heads, ministerial delegates, and law enforcement chiefs, this initiative embeds anti-racism directly into municipal policy. Demonstrating its rapid leadership within the network, the city successfully co-hosted the national Forum on Good Community Relations 2026 alongside ECCAR delegates, proving that anti-racist policy is fundamental to public safety and long-term societal well-being.

The Steering Committee helps shape ECCAR’s direction, priorities, and strategic vision in the fight against racism, discrimination, and inequality.

🔎 Discover the role and responsibilities of the ECCAR Steering Committee:
https://www.eccar.info/en/structure

👤 Featuring:
- Mika Penttilä, Department Director
- Priyanka Sood, Project Manager
Welcome to the Steering Committee, City of Oulu! Thank you for your incredible drive and for showing Europe how local government can be a true driver of structural change. ✊🏼🇫🇮

➡️ Stay tuned to discover all the Faces of ECCAR over the coming weeks and see how are advancing across Europe.

©️ Joe Pohl & Patrick Böttger

Adresse

Eppelheimer Straße 13
Heidelberg
69115

Telefon

+4962215815519

Webseite

https://linktr.ee/ECCAR, https://www.eccar.info/en

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