Ongoing

Cities of Equality

20241205_Inclusion_Partnership_Meeting_Brussels

Cities of Equality and Inclusion Partnerships to Explore Avenues for Synergies

The Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees (IMR) Partnership of the Urban Agenda for the European Union convened for its first in-person meeting of its second phase in Brussels on 5 December 2024. This meeting provided an opportunity to explore synergies with the Cities of Equality Partnership and align efforts to tackle challenges linked with social inclusion in urban areas through an intersectional approach.

Group photo of the Cities of Equality Partnership Meeting in Paris.

Cities of Equality Partnership Gathers in Paris to Shape Actions on Urban Inclusion

On October 24-25 2024, members of the Cities of Equality Partnership convened in Paris to advance their shared vision of more inclusive and equitable cities across Europe. The meeting was hosted by the French Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT), which coordinates this EU-wide partnership alongside the Metropolitan City of Rome.

By Francesco Ripa

About the Partnership

“Our Partnership will bring about better regulation, funding and knowledge for urban equality by working at the intersection of inclusive urban planning and social inclusion.”

Launched in January 2024, the Urban Agenda Partnership on Cities of Equality gathers eleven stakeholders from nine countries across different levels of governance and several European Commission directorates to address issues related to equality within cities.

Cities that successfully and proactively foster environments of equality are those that consider the diverse needs of all individuals and social groups. They plan and provide equal opportunities for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation (LGBTQI+), religion and belief, race and ethnic origin (including country of origin), or socio-economic status, ensuring that no one is left behind.

In order to achieve this ambition whilst creating the environments for equality, it is necessary to employ both targeted interventions that specifically benefit marginalised groups and holistic thinking that aims to ensure cities work for everyone. The principle of intersectionality, which acknowledges the overlapping and interconnected nature of various forms of discrimination and marginalisation, will be essential in this endeavour. By considering the unique challenges faced by different individuals and communities, the Thematic Partnership on Cities of Equality will strive for comprehensive and inclusive approaches towards achieving equality within cities.

Thematic Focus

The Partnership will work to strengthen the urban dimension of EU-level regulation and policies, such as cohesion funds and equality strategies, and increase the engagement of all citizens in the design of local services and in public life. The group will explore an intersectional and human-centred approach to policy making with a view to avoid negative externalities that could worsen social and spatial inequalities.

The Orientation Paper of the Cities of Equality Partnership identified two main themes that reflect its members’ expertise and ambitions: “tackling spatial segregation at city and neighbourhood level” and “engaging communities for fair and open access to services in a meaningful democracy”.

Explore the Miro board embedded below to view the Orientation Paper at a glance.

Members

By clicking on the symbol , in the top left corner, you will be able to see the different layers of this map.

National authorities

National Agency for Territorial Cohesion (ANCT) (FR)
Austria Tech - Sustainable Transitions Partnership (DUT) (AT)

Regions

Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (IT)
Konin Agglomeration Association (PL)

Cities (Urban Authorities)

Municipality of Varna (BG)
Municipality of Heerenveen (NL)
Birzai District Municipality Administration (LT)

European/ national city umbrella organisation

Eurocities (BE)
ICLEI European Secretariat (DE)
Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) (BE)

Other stakeholders

USE Efficiency Association (UniverCities) (IT)

European institutions

European Commission Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO)
European Commission Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM)
European Commission Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER)
European Commission Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC)
European Commission Secretariat-General
European Commission Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST)
European Commission DG Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD)
European Commission DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL)
European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC)

Documents

EUI - Call for City-to-City Exchanges

The call for City-to-City exchanges is open on a continous basis.
Check the details and apply to benefit of other city experiences to tackle your sustainable urban development challenges.

Knowledge

View knowledge outputs on Portico

Portico is the European urban knowledge platform developed by the European Urban Initiative (EUI) in support of better urban policy and strategy design, implementation, and mainstreaming.

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