Representatives from 26 municipalities took part in a pilot project - The German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency continues to fund training programmes in 2025
Municipal anti-discrimination work not only supports those affected in asserting their right to equal treatment. It also supports cities in their commitment to democracy, the rule of law and peaceful coexistence in diversity and sends a clear signal against extremism, discrimination and violence.
Despite legal protection mechanisms and a broad understanding of human rights and anti-discrimination, the right to freedom from discrimination has not yet been fully realised in Germany. Given growing extremist tendencies and the increasing polarisation of German society, it is even more critical that state institutions focus more intensely on protecting citizens against discrimination and creating suitable framework conditions for municipal anti-discrimination work.
In cooperation with the network of municipal anti-discrimination offices in Germany, the European Coalition of Cities against Racism developed guidelines with quality standards for municipal anti-discrimination centres as part of the "Locally Fair" (Fair vor Ort) project, which were published in Berlin in June 2024. The publication was supported and funded by the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency. Based on the study, the first training series for municipal anti-discrimination offices was launched at the end of 2024. The training programme was developed with Andreas Merx (Pro Diversity), Timon Perabo and Daniel Bartel (IMAP Institute). The project is led by Christine Burmann (Human Rights Office of the City of Nuremberg) and Danijel Cubelic (Office for Equal Opportunities of the City of Heidelberg).
The Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Unit of the City of Wuppertal invited representatives from 26 municipalities across Germany to kick off the fully booked training series. Lord Mayor Uwe Schneidewind welcomed the participants and emphasised Wuppertal’s commitment: "In Wuppertal, we have taken significant steps to combat discrimination actively. The Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Unit is a central point of contact and a driving force for change. The unit works hand in hand with partners from social affairs, immigration and integration and inclusion, among others, to counter discrimination in all its forms."
The training series centres on the challenges of strengthening municipal anti-discrimination work and improving its coordination internally and externally. Based on how discrimination cases can be used as an impetus for longer-term change processes, the training focuses primarily on structural changes in internal and external administrative activities.
Furthermore, the training includes constructive starting points for municipal anti-discrimination centres to develop (further) a discrimination-sensitive and diversity-oriented administrative culture and a methodological management system for discrimination complaints. Finally, typical case studies from counselling practice suitable for initiating structural changes will be identified.
Due to the high level of interest, the German Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency will continue to fund the training programme in 2025.
For questions about the project and the network of municipal anti-discrimination offices, contact
Danijel Cubelic: chancengleichheit@heidelberg.de
Christine Burmann: diskriminierungsfragen@stadt.nuernberg.de
You can download the guidelines (German) here.
