European Coalition of Cities Against Racism - ECCAR

16/06/2026

🌙 As the Islamic Hijri New Year begins, ECCAR extends warm wishes to all those observing this moment of reflection and renewal.

The Hijri calendar marks time through the lunar cycle and begins with the migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina in 622 CE, a moment of resilience, community-building, and hope that continues to hold deep significance today.

The Islamic New Year is not marked by fixed celebrations, but it is often a time for reflection: on the past year, on personal growth, and on the values that guide our lives and communities.

✨ As we enter this new cycle, we are reminded of the importance of:
• reflection and self-awareness
• gratitude and mutual care
• strengthening community bonds
• supporting one another in times of challenge.

ECCAR encourages cities and communities to actively use this transition to strengthen respect, solidarity, and unity in our diverse societies.

15/06/2026

📢 Official Statement from the ECCAR Board

On 26 March 2026, the European Parliament adopted its first reading position on the new EU Return Regulation, which will now enter inter-institutional negotiations (trilogue) ahead of the planned implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

At this crucial stage, the ECCAR Board has issued an official statement expressing its deep concern about the direction of the proposed measures and their potential implications for human rights, equality, and non-discrimination across Europe.

Representing a network of cities committed to combating racism and promoting inclusion, the ECCAR Board underlines that migration policy is not only a European-level debate — it directly shapes life in our cities and communities, where coexistence and social cohesion are built every day.

📢 Read the full statement by the ECCAR Board on our website.

🔗 Link in bio

11/06/2026

📢 Exciting news! is officially a member of the renewed Permanent Anti-Racism Civil Society Forum.

This important platform supports the implementation of the new EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 through structured civil society dialogue and the exchange of good practices. ECCAR is proud to contribute the local perspective and to ensure that the voice of cities is part of the conversation on .

At the inaugural meeting of the renewed forum on 1-2 June in Brussels, ECCAR’s Interim Director, Jana Christ, presented good practices from the city level, highlighting local action plans as a cornerstone strategy against racism.

Drawing on the experience of almost 200 municipalities across Europe, ECCAR advocates for long-term, cross-departmental and intersectional local action plans as a fundamental approach to tackling racism and institutionalising collaboration between local authorities to build .

Thank you to the European Commission for creating this vital space for exchange and big thanks to our fellow forum members for sharing their valuable perspectives and experiences.

We look forward to continuing our collective thinking, learning, and action towards and across Europe.

©️ European Commission

22/05/2026

🎉 Welcome Fürth to ECCAR!

The City of Fürth - Stadt Fürth is now officially part of ECCAR, after its membership was approved unanimously during the ECCAR Steering Committee meeting in Vienna in March 2026 🤝

🎥 In this interview, Philipp Abel, Head of the Sustainability Office of the City Council of Fürth, and Seden Kantarci, Chairwoman of the Integration Advisory Board of the City of Fürth, explain why cooperation between cities matters more than ever.

💬 From sharing good practices with neighbouring cities to building stronger and more sustainable local structures against racism, they highlighted the importance of coordinated action, long-term commitment and solidarity between municipalities.

⚠️ In a context marked by growing polarisation and the rise of far-right narratives, the city also underlines the urgent need to move beyond temporary initiatives and create visible, lasting and structural responses to racism and discrimination.

▶️ Watch the full interview and discover cities can achieve more when they work together.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Lwszv8bkP-o?feature=share

🎥 Fürth has officially joined the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism ( )!The decision was unanimously confirmed during the ECCAR ...

21/05/2026

🌍 Today we celebrate the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

Cities play a key role in turning values into everyday reality. They remind us that diversity is not only something to recognise, but something to live, protect and nurture together under .

To strengthen stronger and more cohesive communities, cities around the world can:
🤝 build strong alliances across society, bringing together institutions, civil society, businesses and citizens in a shared commitment to equality and respect
📜 anchor diversity in shared values that guide long-term action and accountability
🗣️ create spaces for dialogue and encounter in neighbourhoods, where understanding can grow
📚 invest in education, media literacy and anti-discrimination work to counter hate and misinformation
🧩 promote participation and co-creation, ensuring everyone has a voice in shaping their city
✨ and highlight positive stories of coexistence, making everyday diversity visible and valued

When cities act together, diversity becomes a source of connection, trust and democratic strength.

20/05/2026

🌍 Faces of ECCAR: The New Steering Committee - The City of Cagliari

The City of Cagliari - Comune di Cagliari Pagina Istituzionale became a member of ECCAR in 2025, elected during the Steering Committee meeting 2025 in Lausanne.

📍 Special focus: , the capital of Sardinia, has a population of just under 150,000, including 6.3% with foreign background. The municipality shares ECCAR’s values and aims to implement policies that combat racism, promote inclusion, and break down stereotypes and biases against marginalised communities.

In 2025, Cagliari commemorated the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Sinti and Roma communities (Samudaripen) with events highlighting equality, inclusion, and participation.

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

🔎 Learn more here:
- https://www.eccar.info/en/structure
- https://www.eccar.info/en/cagliari

👤 Featuring:
Giulia Andreozzi, Councillor for Education, Youth Policy and Equal Opportunities
Thank you for representing the City of Cagliari at our ECCAR General Assembly Meeting in Zurich.✊🏽

➡️ Stay tuned to discover all the Faces of ECCAR over the coming weeks.

19/05/2026

🌍 Faces of ECCAR: The New Steering Committee - The City of Clermont-Ferrand

The City of Clermont-Ferrand - Ville de Clermont-Ferrand has been a member of ECCAR since 2023 and was recently elected to the Steering Committee (2025-2029).

📍 Special focus: Clermont-Ferrand is strongly committed to fighting systemic oppression, including sexism, LGBT-phobia, ableism, and racism. The city has established the Mission Égalité des Droits and related delegations, working closely with expert partners and anti-racism networks. It has implemented a Territorial Welcome and Integration Contract to ensure that migrants and their families are welcomed with dignity. also offers non-discrimination training for municipal staff and organises awareness sessions in schools to address all forms of discrimination, including racial discrimination.

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

🔎 Learn more:
- https://www.eccar.info/en/structure
- https://www.eccar.info/en/clermont-ferrand

Thank you for representing Clermont-Ferrand at our General Assembly 2025 in Zurich✊🏽

➡️ Stay tuned to discover all the Faces of ECCAR over the coming weeks.

15/05/2026

🌍 The City of Verviers is now officially part of ECCAR!

Following a unanimous vote during the ECCAR in Vienna in March 2026, Ville de Verviers joined the network with a strong commitment to combating racism through concrete local action. 🤝

In this video, Inès Tamazarti, Project Coordinator at the Verviers Regional Centre for Integration (Crvi Asbl) explains how the city is developing a local anti-racism plan focused on housing, employment and social cohesion, together with local partners and civil society actors.

From anti-discrimination measures and awareness campaigns to data-informed approaches and community workshops, Verviers is strengthening its commitment to addressing racism as a systemic issue requiring coordinated action at local and European level. ✨

Together, can build equal and democratic societies for all. Check the video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/PM70BPAFVTs?feature=share



©️ Joe Pohl & Patrick Böttger

🎥 The City of Verviers is now officially part of the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism ( )!During the ECCAR Steering Committee in Vienna in M...

15/05/2026

Join the Anti-Racist Barcelona ✊🏽

📅 May 18–19
📍 El Born, Barcelona – Barcelona History Museum

A space to present the 2026–2036 Anti-Racist Plan
and connect cities and organizations from across Europe 🌍

📌 Registration open to everyone on the Citizenship Rights and Diversity website:
https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dretsidiversitat/en/noticia/how-to-strengthen-the-global-fight-against-racism-from-cities_1630664

With ECCAR and the support of UNESCO

14/05/2026

✊🏽 Barcelona Antiracist Forum

🌍 Over two days, Barcelona will host debates, conferences and collective working spaces to share strategies in response to the rise of racism and hate speech.

📍 El Born - Barcelona, España - Barcelona History Museum
📅 18–19 May

Check the program and registration on the Citizenship Rights and Diversity website of Barcelona City Council.
https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/dretsidiversitat/en/noticia/how-to-strengthen-the-global-fight-against-racism-from-cities_1630664