Human rights and democracy are two sides of the same coin. We cannot talk about one and ignore the other. This was one of the key messages emerging from the panel discussion on “Turning Rights into Action: Local Pathways to Democratic Renewal,” organized by United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and its Committee on Social […]
Date: 29 Sept 2026 Time: 16.00 – 17:15 CEST REGISTER HERE! Background Europe is witnessing a dangerous and unprecedented rollback of civic freedoms. Local authorities and civil society organisations are operating in a context marked by growing democratic challenges, including declining trust in institutions, civic space deterioration, political polarisation, and barriers to meaningful citizen participation.
Cities are at the forefront of protecting human rights, promoting democratic participation, and translating EU values into concrete action at the local level. Across Europe, local governments and civil society organisations have increasingly recognised that ensuring effective human rights practices requires structured monitoring and reliable data. As a result, many human rights cities have invested
WEBINAR – DeCiDE: Turning Evidence into Action Read More »
Inspired by the release of European Civic Forum’s Civic Space Report 2026, followed by the launch of the Human Rights Cities Network’s (HRCN) Human Right Cities Compendium of Good Practices in Monitoring, our partnership is pleased to launch a webinar series on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Consultation Mechanisms ! Beyond examining the challenges facing
WEBINAR SERIES : CSO’s Consultation Mechanisms Read More »
BOOSTING DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION IN CITIES TO RECHARGE DEMOCRACY IN EUROPE Urban areas are central to addressing contemporary global challenges and revitalising democratic governance. Cities, the closest level of government to its inhabitants, play a decisive role in safeguarding fundamental rights, promoting inclusion and EU values, and ensuring equitable access to public services. To achieve
Compendium of Good Practices in Monitoring Read More »
Localising the European Democracy Shield The Human Rights Cities Network (HRCN) organised a panel discussion and interactive session at the ACT NOW Mayors’ Conference 2026 in Cascais on 11 May 2026, in the context of the city becoming the 2026 European Capital of Democracy. Our panel “Building a Local Democracy Shield: Monitoring and Participation as
ACTNOW Mayorsʼ Conference in Cascais Read More »
Improving Inclusion and Service Access through Measurable Impact The Municipality of Padova is implementing a range of projects aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, including housing initiatives, day and night care centers, and targeted programmes for Roma, Sinti, and Traveller communities. These projects focus on improving access to basic services, fostering inclusion, and strengthening participation
Social Inclusion & Housing Projects – Padova (Italy) Read More »
Empowering Teenage Parents through Coordinated Social Support The City of Ghent, in collaboration with civil society partners, is implementing a project focused on supporting teenage parents through tailored guidance and empowerment strategies. The initiative provides continuous support across multiple life domains, including education, employment, childcare, and social integration, with the aim of reducing poverty
LEJO Youth Support Project – Ghent (Belgium) Read More »
Strengthening Democratic Participation of Young People The City of Kraków is implementing a set of youth-focused initiatives under the “Młody Kraków” framework, aimed at increasing the participation of young people in local governance. Through mechanisms such as the Youth City Council, the School Participatory Budget, and the Youth Ambassador Programme, the city creates structured
Youth Participation Framework (“Młody Kraków”) – Kraków (Poland) Read More »
Promoting Inclusion and Non-Discrimination through Structured Monitoring The Municipality of Braga is implementing the IN LOCO project, which focuses on promoting the inclusion of migrants through targeted support services and awareness-raising activities. By working with both migrant communities and professionals, the project seeks to reduce inequalities and strengthen social cohesion at the local level. The
IN LOCO Project – Braga (Portugal) Read More »
