ECCAR member cities were once again celebrated for their outstanding commitment to combating racism and strengthening inclusive local communities during the ECCAR General Assembly and Steering Committee meeting in Zurich (23-24 October). The General Assembly voted as this year’s winner in the category of cities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, the City of Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg), and as the winner in the category of cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, the City of Graz (Austria). The award recognises their inspiring, long-term efforts to turn human rights into lived realities at the local level. Alongside the winners, ECCAR also proudly acknowledges the exceptional work of the finalist cities Mannheim (Germany), Monheim am Rhein (Germany), Villeurbanne (France), and Wörgl (Austria), whose projects demonstrate the diversity, creativity and impact of municipal anti-racism action across Europe.
Esch-sur-Alzette was awarded for its powerful Event Series on Women’s Rights and Solidarity, organised around International Women’s Day 2024. Through exhibitions, street art, film debates, public discussions and participatory actions, the city amplified the voices of women, especially women of colour. It addressed racism, sexism, colonial legacies and anti-Muslim racism in accessible and creative ways.
Graz received the award for its long-standing Human Rights Election Campaign Monitoring, a pioneering initiative that promotes dignity and accountability in political discourse. Using a transparent traffic-light system to assess election campaign language, the project has measurably reduced racist and inflammatory rhetoric while embedding human rights standards into local democratic practice.
The finalist cities further illustrate the strength of local action against racism. Mannheim’s Alliance for Living Together in Diversity unites over 380 partners across society to promote democracy, participation and respectful coexistence through training, public events and neighbourhood initiatives. Monheim am Rhein’s “City for All” Integration Concept reframes integration as a shared responsibility, focusing on empowerment, equal opportunities and anti-racism across all municipal structures. Villeurbanne’s Equality and Non-Discrimination Monitoring Network brings together actors from employment, housing, health, education and culture to prevent and combat discrimination, while supporting those affected through concrete services and advocacy. Wörgl’s Language Support Concept addresses early educational inequality by providing tailored, inclusive language programmes that strengthen cooperation among kindergartens, families, and institutions. Together, all awarded and finalist cities show how courageous, thoughtful and sustained local action can drive meaningful change and inspire local authorities across Europe.
Looking ahead, ECCAR is already excited to continue this journey with the next round of the ECCAR Awards in 2026, which will be voted on and celebrated at the General Assembly and Steering Committee meeting in Oslo in November 2026. ECCAR looks forward to welcoming cities in Oslo to share experiences, learn from one another, and celebrate the collective commitment to ensuring that equality, human rights and dignity are lived realities in every European city.
