The Civic Action for Rights and Equality in Cities (CAREinCities) project is realised by the Human Rights Cities Network (HRCN) with the support of ECF – European Civic Forum and funded by the European Union’s CERV programme.
Aim of the project
The shrinking of civic space in Europe is increasing in frequency and intensity. The rise of antidemocratic and discriminatory policies and practices, and the erosion of human rights, is a general trend which puts democracy at stake.
In view of the EU 2024 post-electoral processes, it is essential to set the foundation of a new European electoral cycle based on civic engagement and democracy. Local authorities are in the best position to initiate, together with CSOs and academia, a new inclusive and participatory approach to enhance democratic values, protect human rights and reinforce civic participation at the local level.
Based on these premises, the project envisages a new methodology, based on dialogue and solidarity, to fill the gaps some communities are facing to access their rights. CSOs, academia and municipalities will cooperate to identify the main obstacles and to collectively find solutions to effective monitoring of the respect of human rights at the service delivery level in their city.
The main aim of the CAREinCities project is to improve cooperation within and among two European cities to enhance human rights monitoring in the fields of social services and social inclusion.
In the long term, it aims at strengthening cities’ democracy by promoting civic participation in the monitoring of human rights progress in public policies and services delivery in EU cities.
Therefore, the project contributes to respond to three main needs:
- reinforce the watchdog role of CSOs and academia in monitoring human rights in public policies and service delivery in cities;
- co–construct a pragmatic tool based on mutual learning between civil society and local authorities to enhance cities’ democracy with a bottom-up approach;
- regularly assess gaps and progress against European and international standards to support the development of human rights cities in Europe and beyond.
A few facts
Human rights cities are cities “where the local government, local grassroots organisations and city residents commit through a declaration and work together to uphold international human rights standards and norms” (FRA, 2022).
However, at present there is neither formal accreditation nor international or regional minimum standards framing their development.
Both municipal representatives and citizens are seldom aware of their roles and responsibilities in translating international standards, including the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, into concrete practices on the ground. While the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)’s Framework for locally-based Human Rights Action is a landmark in Europe, a specific tool to monitor the achievements of both existing and still-in-the-making human rights cities is yet to be developed.
The CAREinCities project will set the basis to co-develop, together with CSOs, academic institutions and local authorities, human rights monitoring tools to support the development of human rights cities in Europe.
Padova and Gent together for human rights to promote equality in social services
How can we bring together civil society organisations, academic researchers, and municipal officials to monitor the human rights impacts and the level of inclusion of their social policies and services? The Civic Action for Rights and Equality in Cities (CAREinCities) project is trying to answer this question through a set of activities involving two
CAREinCities – Call for CSOs in Ghent! – Version française
Vous êtes une organisation de la société civile à Gand (Belgique) ? Vous vous préoccupez du respect des droits de l’homme dans votre ville ? Travaillez-vous à faire de votre ville un endroit plus inclusif pour tous ? Alors cet appel est pour vous ! Rejoignez le projet : Civic Action for Rights and Equality
CAREinCities – Call for CSOs in Ghent!
Version française Are you part of a civil society organisation working in Ghent (Belgium)? Are you concerned with the respect of people’s rights in your city? Do you work to make your city a more inclusive place for all? Then this call is for you! Join the Civic Action for Rights and Equality
CAREinCities – OPEN CALL – Italien
Ti occupi del rispetto dei diritti delle persone nella tua città? Lavori per rendere la tua città un luogo più inclusivo per tutti? Allora questo progetto è per te! Registrati qui Candidati ora per partecipare al progetto Civic Action for Rights and Equality in Cities (CAREinCities)! Partecipando al progetto CAREinCities, potrai: Scoprire come
CAREinCities project – OPEN CALL!
Are you concerned with the respect of people’s rights in your city? Do you work to make your city a more inclusive place for all? Then this call is for you! Register now to join the Civic Action for Rights and Equality in Cities (CAREinCities)! REGISTER HERE Deadline : 5th July! By participating
