The European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award is a competition that recognises and rewards local authorities across the EU that actively promote inclusion and diversity and help to build a fairer Europe. The competition is part of the European Commission’s European Diversity Month initiative and is now in its third edition, with the 2024 edition set to take place on 25 April 2024 in Brussels.
Purpose of the Award
Despite significant advances, Eurobarometer data and recent surveys demonstrate that many EU citizens still experience discrimination.
- 59% of European believe that discrimination based on one’s ethnic origin is widespread;
- Skin colour, followed by ethnic or immigrant background, are the most common grounds for discrimination mentioned by respondents of African descent in 2023 survey;
- 43% of LGBTIQ people declaring they felt discriminated against in 2019;
- After the pandemic, women earned on average 16 % less than men across the EU, compared to an average of 14% gap in 2019;
- People with disabilities face obstacles when accessing essential services, healthcare, education, employment, and political life;
- 25% of Roma feel they have been discriminated against in their daily life, including employment and education opportunities;
- Age discrimination is most often felt by the young and elderly.
The 2024 specific award will highlight initiatives and actions undertaken by local authorities who enable safe towns, cities and regions for women in all their diversity, by addressing violence against women. According to EIGE’s Gender Equality Index:
- It is estimated that 1 in 3 women have experienced physical or sexual violence since age 15.
The European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award recognizes local authorities’ efforts to build more inclusive societies so that all EU citizens can reach their potential, and no one is left behind. The award is part of the European Commission’s ongoing efforts to promote equality and fight against discrimination, which are core values and fundamental rights in the EU enshrined in its Treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Eligibility Criteria
The award is open to local authorities from EU-27 that actively practice inclusion policies that challenge sex, age, disability, LGBTIQ, religion or belief, and ethnic or racial origin discrimination. The applicant must be an administrative unit governed by a city council or a democratically elected governmental body; it is open to towns, cities, and regions within the EU.
Award Categories
There are two categories for the 2024 edition of the award: local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants and those with more than 50,000 inhabitants. There is also a specific award for local authorities enabling safe towns, cities and regions for women in all their diversity, by addressing violence against women.
Recognition of Diversity Initiatives
The award recognises diversity and inclusion initiatives tackling all discrimination grounds (sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation) and intersectionality. The initiatives may have already been implemented or be in the process of being implemented.
Selection Process
Applications for the Awards will be subject to an eligibility check and pre-assessment by independent experts. A European Jury will make the final selection in the two general categories and the Specific Award for local authorities enabling safe towns, cities and regions for women in all their diversity, by addressing violence against women. The European Commission will appoint independent experts for the pre-assessment phase and European Jury members for the final selection phase. The European Jury for the General Award will comprise at least five members representing European non-governmental organisations. The European Jury for the Specific Award for local authorities enabling safe towns, cities and regions for women in all their diversity, by addressing violence against women will include at least five people representing European non-governmental organisations and other relevant national and European stakeholders.
Competition timeline
- Entries submissions: until 15 February 2024, at 12h00 PM CET
- Expert and jury evaluation of entries: between 16 February and 31 March 2023
- Announcement of shortlisted candidates: early April 2024 (expected)
- Prize-giving ceremony: 25 April 2024
Previous Winners
In the 2023 edition of the award, several local authorities across the European Union won the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.
- Terrassa (Spain) won the Gold Award in the category of local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants,
- La Zarza (Spain) won the Gold Award in the category of local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants, and
- Gdańsk (Poland) won the Gold Award in the Special Award category for fostering LGBTIQ equality.
For more information and to apply, visit https://eudiversity2024.eu/the-award/apply/