Commission kicks off EU Diversity Month with winners of the 2025 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award

…and the winners of fostering diversity and inclusion are from the Netherlands, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Poland. Cities and municipalities from these countries are this year´s leading examples that promote inclusion on the grounds of sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The winners have just been announced in the fourth edition of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award by the European Commission.

The winners that have just been announced in the fourth edition of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award are:

• In the category of ’local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants’:
• The Gold Award goes to the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands for its impressive city-wide commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion, embedded across all departments and backed by robust structures, leadership and funding.
• The Silver Award goes to the city of Bilbao, Spain for its intersectional and values-driven initiatives on employment, education, transports, security, youth, and sports.
• The Bronze Award goes to the city of Kraków, Poland for programmes supporting diverse individuals in public spaces, in health, education, and culture.

In the category of ’local authorities with less than 50,000 inhabitants’:

• The Gold Award goes to the city of Mariehamn, Finland for its inclusive approach across municipal workplaces, education, and newcomer integration, guided by a clear intersectional vision.
• The Silver Award goes to the town of Usurbil, Spain for its inclusive vision and a dedicated focus on gender equality, migrant integration, and co-responsibility in care.
• The Bronze Award goes to the city of Settimo Torinese, Italy, for an outstanding approach rooted in participatory budgeting, inclusive fora, public engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to amplify the impact of municipal policy, such as with local businesses, law enforcement or schools.

Specific award for inclusive housing

• The Gold Award goes to the city of Braga, Portugal for its strategy supporting older persons, people with disabilities, lone parents, Roma, migrants, and victims of domestic violence.
• The Silver Award goes to the town of Gualdo Tadino, Italy for its innovative housing initiatives supporting women, LGBTIQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and migrants.
• The Bronze Award goes to the city of Zaragoza, Spain for its multi-layered approach to preventing homelessness and supporting access to housing for diverse individuals.
• The public choice award, for which the audience voted during the Awards ceremony, goes to Zaragoza.

Today’s ceremony, which took place in Brussels, also marks the launch of the 2025 European Diversity Month, which celebrates efforts to help build equal and inclusive environments for the benefit of all.

Source: European Commission