The Commission announces the winners of the 2026 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award

To mark the start of Diversity Month in the EU, the European Commission has announced the winners of the fifth edition of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award.As a key initiative of theUnion for Equality, this award recognises EU cities, towns and regions that set an example in promoting inclusive policies and fostering diversity.

This year’s winners are cities and municipalities in Belgium, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. They have been recognised for their work in building fairer societies by promoting diversity and inclusion in relation to gender, racial and ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability, age and LGBTIQ identities.

The winners of the 2026 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 Józsefváros, District 8 of Budapest, Hungary, for its commitment to promoting inclusion through initiatives covering inclusive municipal employment, actions in support of LGBTIQ equality, the integration of Roma communities and initiatives against gender-based violence.
• The Silver Award is awarded to the city of Leuven, Belgium, for its firm stance in the fight against exclusion, demonstrated through projects such as‘Leuven withoutRacism’ and the city’s ten-point action plan to combat discrimination in areas such as housing, employment, education and others.
• The Bronze Award is presented to the city of Leiden, in the Netherlands, for its ambitious actions under the “Leiden Inclusive” policy, which ensure that everyone feels free to be themselves, regardless of their origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability.

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

• The Gold Award goes to the city of Errenteria, Spain, for its strong commitment to cultural diversity, as well as for its initiatives focused on migrants, the LGBTIQ community, women, people with disabilities and older people.
• The Silver Award is awarded to the town of Orio, Spain, for its inclusion and diversity strategy, ‘Bizitza Askeak Plazer’ (Living freely is a pleasure), which supports migrants, women, LGBTIQ people, older people and people with disabilities.
• The Bronze Award is presented to the town of San Xoán de Río, in Spain, for its initiatives to eliminate discrimination against older people, women and members of the LGBTIQ community.

Special Award for the creation of inclusive labour markets for all:

• The Gold Award is awarded to the town of Errenteria, Spain, for its vision that access to employment is essential for social inclusion and for its commitment to a local labour market that reflects diversity.
• The Silver Award is awarded to the city of Orio, Spain, for its initiatives targeting those at risk of exclusion from the local labour market, with a particular focus on migrant women in the care sector.
• The Bronze Award is awarded to the Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy, for its work towards a fair, sustainable and inclusive labour ecosystem, for example through the ‘Claudia!’ project, which helps organisations and businesses adopt policies on inclusion and gender equality.

The People’s Choice Award, for which the public voted a week before the awards ceremony, was awarded to Marsicovetere, Italy. 

Background

Launched as partof the EU’s Action Plan against Racism 2020–2025and theLGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020–2025, the annual European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award recognises the work carried out by cities, towns or regions in the European Union to promote inclusion and create societies free from discrimination. These awards cover initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in terms of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and LGBTIQ equality, and how these inequalities may intersect.

The Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the Award within the framework of theLGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2026–2030, theAnti-Racism Strategy 2026–2030and theGender Equality Strategy 2026–2030. The Commission will continue to raise the profile of, celebrate and support local authorities that promote inclusion.

The application window for the fifth edition was open from November 2025 until early February 2026. A jury of experts assessed the applications based on various criteria, including the nature and scope of the initiatives, ownership and level of commitment, the quality and sustainability of the initiatives, and the involvement of people exposed to discrimination in policy-making.

Today’s awards ceremony also marks the start of European Diversity Month 2026.European Diversity Month was first held in May 2020 as part of the 10th anniversary of the EU Platform for Diversity Charters. This month celebrates efforts to help build equitable and inclusive environments for the benefit of all. The theme of European Diversity Month 2026 focuses on promoting and strengthening inclusive labour markets and workplaces, to ensure that equal treatment is a reality for everyone.

More information: European Commission.