Page contents Page contents Find out more about the Award on a dedicated website “Equality, inclusion, and diversity shape the opportunities we find, the services we access, the communities we call home. It is in our cities, municipalities and communes that equality is woven into the fabric of daily life, where our citizens can experience the true meaning of belonging. Congratulations to the winners of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards for leading the way and setting a crucial example for all localities around Europe.”Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Role of the award As part of the commitment to foster more inclusive and fair societies in Europe, the Commission launched the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award. This initiative complements the annual EU Diversity Month, which raises awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and across our societies.The award is one of the deliverables of the EU anti-racism action plan and LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 and it shows how action at all levels is essential if we want to turn the tide and build a Union of Equality.The fifth edition of the Award will be launched this Autumn. Towns, cities and regions from the EU will be invited to apply in one of the two main categories: local authorities above or below 50 000 inhabitants. A thematic focus of the 2026 Specific Award will be revealed soon. More information on the Award is available at the dedicated website in all official EU languages.If you would like to receive the latest updates regarding the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, EU Diversity Month and related policy developments, please subscribe to #DiversityCapitals newsletter. Previous editions 2025 “Equality, inclusion, and diversity shape the opportunities we find, the services we access, the communities we call home. It is in our cities, municipalities and communes that equality is woven into the fabric of daily life, where our citizens can experience the true meaning of belonging. Congratulations to the winners of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards for leading the way and setting a crucial example for all localities around Europe.”Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis ManagementAbout the 2025 editionOn 29 April 2025, the European Commission revealed the winners of the 2025 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, coming this year from the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Poland.In the category of local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, the Gold Award went to the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands, while the Silver Award was awarded to the city of Bilbao, Spain and the Bronze Award to the city of Kraków, Poland.In the category of local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants: the Gold Award went to the city of Mariehamn, Finland , followed by the town of Usurbil, Spain (Silver) and the city of Settimo Torinese, Italy (Bronze). The winners in the specific award category for inclusive housing were the city of Braga, Portugal (Gold), the town of Gualdo Tadino, Italy (Silver) and the city of Zaragoza, Spain (Bronze).Find out more about the winners and shortlisted on our online map.2024 “The European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award is granted to local authorities that exemplify outstanding dedication to creating safe, inclusive spaces where all feel that they belong and can flourish. The winning local authorities transform the ideal of inclusion and diversity into tangible deliverables. This serves to inspire others. I thank these European capitals for taking the Union of Equality to citizens at the local level." Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for EqualityAbout the 2024 editionNine winners from five countries shared Gold, Silver and Bronze awards across three categories. Two local authorities took home prizes in two categories. In the category of local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, the Gold Award went to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. The Silver prize was awarded to the municipality of Växjö in Sweden. The Bronze award was granted to La Laguna in Spain. For local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants, the municipality of Corbetta, in Italy, received the Gold Award. Two Spanish localities took the Silver and Bronze Awards respectively: Miranda de Ebro and Casares. The Gold Award in the specific award for local authorities that enable safe towns, cities and regions for women in all their diversity, by addressing violence against women went to the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Miranda de Ebro in Spain and Växjö in Sweden claimed the Silver and Bronze Awards respectively for their important work in this field. Find out more about the winners and shortlisted on our online map.2023 “Today we celebrate European cities and local communities fostering a sense of belonging and the sharing of common values. Where diversity and inclusion are elevated as a priority, it is also a source of wealth and innovation. Congratulations to all winners and candidates who applied for the Award. Your dedication, efforts and outstanding work are an inspiration for others.” Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for EqualityAbout the 2023 editionThe European Commission awarded nine local authorities across Europe for their plans and initiatives to reinforce diversity and inclusion in their respective communities. In the category of local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants, the Gold Award went to the city of Terassa in Spain. The Silver prize was awarded to Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium and the Bronze to the capital of Finland, Helsinki. In the category of local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants, the Spanish town La Zarza received the Gold Award. The Croatian town of Labin won the Silver Award and the municipality of Fundao in Portugal won the Bronze award. The Gold award in the special category for fostering LGBTIQ equality was won by Gdańsk in Poland. The Silver award went to Catalonia, Spain and the Bronze award to the city of Reggio Emilia in Italy. Find out more about the winners and shortlisted on our online map.2022 "Congratulations to all the winners of the first European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, as well as to all 82 local authorities that responded to the European Commission’s call to promote and support diversity. Today, these local authorities have showcased in the best possible way how together we can uphold equality and diversity and strive to be inclusive for all.” Helena Dalli, EU Commissioner for EqualityAbout the 2022 editionIn the first ever European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, the winning European towns, cities and regions were spread across five Member States – Croatia, Germany, Romania, Spain and Sweden. Cologne, Germany was the gold-winner in the category of local authorities above 50,000 inhabitants, followed by Gothenburg, Sweden (silver) and Barcelona, Spain (bronze). Croatia’s Koprivnica was the gold-winner for local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants, followed by Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany (silver) and Antequera, Spain (bronze). Andalucía, Spain was the winner of the fostering Roma inclusion-specific category, followed by Gothenburg, Sweden (silver) and Garninari, Romania (bronze). Find out more about the winners and shortlisted on our online map. Documents Looking for inspiration? In this collection of best practices of previous shortlisted and winners of the Award, you can discover some of the outstanding efforts and commitment of local authorities around the EU to promote equality, diversity and inclusion. Collection of best practices - European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award
As part of the commitment to foster more inclusive and fair societies in Europe, the Commission launched the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award. This initiative complements the annual EU Diversity Month, which raises awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and across our societies.The award is one of the deliverables of the EU anti-racism action plan and LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 and it shows how action at all levels is essential if we want to turn the tide and build a Union of Equality.The fifth edition of the Award will be launched this Autumn. Towns, cities and regions from the EU will be invited to apply in one of the two main categories: local authorities above or below 50 000 inhabitants. A thematic focus of the 2026 Specific Award will be revealed soon. More information on the Award is available at the dedicated website in all official EU languages.If you would like to receive the latest updates regarding the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, EU Diversity Month and related policy developments, please subscribe to #DiversityCapitals newsletter.
