On 25 and 26 March 2025, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) hosted the third and final EU-Belong Knowledge Sharing Event in Strasbourg, Grand Est (France). This concluding conference marked the end of the 40-month-long AMIF funded EU-Belong project, which has promoted intercultural inclusion and regional cooperation across Europe
Under the coordination of AER, 10 regions from 7 countries worked together pioneering the field of inclusion and integration, by using an intercultural approach developed by the Council of Europe to innovate regional policymaking
Study Visits: Showcasing Local Best Practices
The conference began with study visits to Espace Égalité and La T’Rêve, two exemplary initiatives within the Intercultural Cities Network. These spaces embody Strasbourg’s commitment to equality, inclusion, and support for vulnerable communities:
- Espace Égalité provides an interactive educational experience that raises awareness about discrimination and promotes human rights through immersive workshops.
- La T’Rêve serves as a refuge for vulnerable individuals, offering essential services and promoting social cohesion through cultural and linguistic programmes.
Following the visits, EU-Belong members gathered for a networking lunch before heading to the Council of Europe’s Agora building.
A Platform for Regional Policymakers
The afternoon session brought together high-level political figures, regional policymakers, and experts to reflect on the project’s impact and future directions. The discussions featured:
- Keynote speeches from Rita Marascalchi, Head of the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Programme and Aurélie Belzunces, Head of Sector for Integration at European Commission’s DG HOME, highlighting the crucial role of European institutions in the work on intercultural inclusion.
- Regional perspectives from policymakers representing regions such as Arad County, Donegal, Catalonia, Wielkopolska, and Emilia-Romagna, showcasing how intercultural policies have been successfully implemented at the local level through the EU-Belong project.
- The discussions underscored the importance of inclusive governance and citizen participation. Daniel Popescu, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Regions and Head of Department of Promoting Local Democracy at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities highlighted the need to move beyond elections by actively involving citizens in policymaking, stressing that giving people a voice is essential for successful inclusion.
- Interactive discussions on lessons learned, successes achieved, and the continuation of EU-Belong’s mission through the Intercultural Regions Network (IRN) highlighted the diverse future plans across regions, all anchored in the updated EU-Belong strategy. Participants emphasised the ongoing challenge of securing funding for implementation and the importance of community engagement. To support new regions in their intercultural policy development and implementation, EU-Belong has developed toolkits, while peer mentoring, such as Catalonia guiding Arad, was recognised as valuable. Schools were also seen as key spaces for inclusion, with initiatives in Leipzig and Arad using workshops to engage children and, in turn, their families.
Celebrating EU-Belong’s Legacy
In the evening, the EU-Belong Ceremony took place at the Council of Europe’s Palais de l’Europe, with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The ceremony celebrated the project’s achievements and the next steps for the Intercultural Regions Network. Highlights included:
- Opening remarks from Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, congratulating AER on its 40th anniversary.
- Reflections on the Council of Europe’s intercultural inclusion approach by Thorsten Afflerbach.
- A symbolic signing ceremony saw six regions affirm their commitment to the Intercultural Regions Network’s work, highlighting their dedication to intercultural inclusion.
The evening concluded with a networking reception, allowing attendees to forge new partnerships and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EU-Belong
On 26 March, EU-Belong Consortium and Advisory Committee Members and the European Commission’s Urban Partnership Agenda held dedicated meetings at the Grand Est Office to discuss next steps and future collaborations. These closed-door sessions provided an opportunity for strategic planning and alignment on intercultural inclusion policies at the European level.
The EU-Belong morning session included a training on Intercultural narratives in challenging times with Nadia Bellardi, an expert from the Intercultural Cities Programme.
A Lasting Impact
The EU-Belong Final Conference in Strasbourg not only marked the end of an impactful €1.6 million project but also set the stage for continued regional cooperation through the Intercultural Regions Network. As European regions continue to develop and improve intercultural policies, AER remains committed to promoting inclusive societies where diversity is recognised as a strength.
Reflections and Gratitude
The EU-Belong Knowledge Sharing Event concluded with heartfelt thanks to our AER Member Grand-Est for supporting this event, as well as the Council of Europe.
About EU-Belong
EU-Belong is a 3-year project co-funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union. Coordinated by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) within the framework of its Intercultural Regions Network (IRN), it is implemented in partnership with ten regional authorities from seven European countries: Arad and Timiș in Romania; Catalonia and Navarra in Spain; Donegal in Ireland; Emilia-Romagna in Italy; Leipzig in Germany; Pomerania and Poznan in Poland; Salzburg in Austria; and two technical partners: ART-ER Attrattività Ricerca Territorio and Istituto Economico Cooperazione Internazionale (ICEI).
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For questions, contact Emanuela Pisanó, EU-Belong Project Manager at e.pisano@aer.eu
