Over 50 participants from more than 20 municipalities across Germany gathered for the kick-off meeting of a network for municipal employees with a migrant background.
The networking meeting took place within the framework of the project “Cities for Everyone? Building Anti-Racist Municipalities in Germany.” The project aims to support German municipalities in strengthening anti-racist structures and practices within their local administrations. As one part of this effort, the new network creates a space for exchange and mutual support. It is open to all municipal employees with a migrant background and/or experience with racism, including those who do not work in the area of anti-discrimination. Whether working in social services, public administration, urban planning, education or other departments, participants share the experience of contributing to public service while navigating municipal structures with their diverse and often underrepresented backgrounds and perspectives. The event opened with welcoming remarks from Deputy Mayor Stefanie Jansen of the City of Heidelberg, who emphasised the importance of diverse municipal administrations that reflect the societies they serve. She highlighted the valuable contributions of employees with a migrant background and the role of networks in strengthening representation, visibility and professional exchange within city administrations.
During the meeting, participants reflected on their needs and expectations for the network and shared their experiences working in municipal administrations. Various workshops addressed topics such as "Leadership of Colour – Migrant Leadership in Public Administration", political and strategic action to amplify the voices of this group within local authorities, and approaches to establishing and organising safer spaces. Participants also discussed opportunities and challenges related to creating supportive professional environments and increasing visibility for employees with diverse backgrounds.
For the remainder of the project, further networking formats are planned, alongside peer-to-peer exchanges between cities regarding good practice in establishing networks for people from a migrant background and/or those who experience racism. For further information or if you are interested in joining the network, please contact the ECCAR Office.
Contact person
Jasemin Seven
Project manager, “Cities for Everyone? Building Anti-Racist Municipalities in Germany.”
Telephone: +49 6221 58-15519
Email: office@eccar.info
Funding partner
The project “Cities for Everyone? Building Anti-Racist Municipalities in Germany” is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as an innovation project within the framework of the “Demokratie leben!” programme.
