WELDI

💬❌ Tackling prejudice isn’t just about facts — it’s about emotions, fears, and the stories we tell... On April, the WELDI network gathered city representatives, local organizations, and community leaders to reflect on a powerful tool to combat discrimination and build trust: the Antirumours Strategy. This was more than a training — it was a collective conversation on how rumours, stereotypes, and disinformation shape real lives and divide communities. Across cities, participants echoed similar challenges: migrants unfairly blamed, seen as taking more than giving, or portrayed as cultural threats. 🧠 But rumours don’t spread just because of ignorance — they grow from fear, frustration, and uncertainty. The Antirumours Strategy doesn’t just offer quick fixes or fact-checking. It’s a long-term, community-rooted approach that starts with identifying local narratives and building capacity to challenge them with empathy and credibility. Key takeaways from the session: 🔸 Facts alone aren't enough — emotional, relatable stories drive change. 🔸 Stereotypes often emerge from deep-seated anxieties — we need to address their roots. 🔸 Inclusion is built through shared spaces, co-created narratives, and the active participation of everyday people — artists, librarians, shopkeepers, youth groups. 🔸 Cities like Getxo and Bilbao are already proving that creativity, humour, and storytelling can reshape public perceptions. The WELDI session reminded us: challenging prejudice is not a side project. It’s central to building democratic, cohesive, and welcoming cities. 🌍 Want to learn more about the Antirumours Global movement? Explore here: https://lnkd.in/gc3-64ci Our article written by Gerardo Gómez : https://lnkd.in/giH3UZk5 URBACT Dirk Gebhardt

🌍 World Refugee Day – 20 June 🚫 Myth-busting: The key factors behind successful Ukrainian refugee Labour Market Integration 🤝 The reception of Ukrainian refugees illustrates that refugee integration into the labour market can be fast if the right conditions are granted. In countries like Poland, Czechia, the Netherlands, Estonia, and Lithuania, Ukrainians already reach employment rates of 50% or higher (Sources: EMN/OECD and CMR), although often in occupations that are below their skill level. 📖 According to a report by the German Institute for Employment Research, the factors that statistically explain the success of these countries (and the lesser success in others) are: • 👶 Access to childcare • 🏥 Healthcare availability • 🗣️ English language proficiency in the host country • 🤝 Pre-existing Ukrainian communities ❌ In contrast, social support does not seem to have a measurable impact on whether Ukrainian refugees take up work or not. 💡 Key takeaway for World Refugee Day: The best way to help refugees integrate is by enabling them to take up work in the first place. The presence or absence of social benefits is not a determining factor in their ability to find employment. 📚 Sources: EMN/OECD: https://lnkd.in/eBbgrFCw CMR: https://lnkd.in/e6RKjfTe German Institute for Employment Research: https://lnkd.in/eamvGHdx #WorldRefugeeDay #RefugeeIntegration #MigrationPolicy

🇷🇴 Migrant Voices Drive Green Awareness in Cluj-Napoca 🌿 During the Carbon Neutrality Summit 2025 (May 21–23), our Romanian partner city Cluj-Napoca hosted a powerful panel: “Green Education for Migrant Citizens – Building a shared responsibility for the environment” 🌱 This session explored how environmental education can support local sustainability while strengthening the integration of migrant communities. 🗣️ Five migrants shared innovative practices from their home or host countries: ♻️ Sri Lanka – Kandy’s wastewater treatment project tackling pollution 🎨 Palestine – Turning recycled plastic and rubber into educational art 🚮 Ukraine – Grassroots recycling programs and civic participation 🌆 Kenya – Urban waste management innovations in Nairobi 🔬 Niger – A Cluj-based student presented a biogas solution for refugee camps in Africa, showing real potential for carbon emission reduction These peer-led insights resonated strongly with migrant residents of Cluj-Napoca, especially those from Asia and Africa, offering relatable, motivating examples of climate action. The panel helped foster a sense of belonging and empowered participants to become actors of change. 💡 This experience confirmed that green education — especially when migrant-led — is a catalyst for both environmental responsibility and inclusive urban development. 👏 A big thank you to Cluj-Napoca for showing how climate resilience and social inclusion can go hand in hand. Ion Covasa URBACT in Romania URBACT URBACT IV ROMANIA #GreenEducation #InclusiveCities #CircularEconomy

🇵🇱 Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Sosnowiec! On May 2nd, Poland celebrated Flag Day — and in Sosnowiec, our Polish WELDI partner city URBACT Polska, this year’s celebration took a vibrant and inclusive turn under the theme “Sosnowiec – The City of Many Cultures.” At Jacek Kuroń Park, right beside the city’s most popular playground, families and children gathered spontaneously to enjoy integration games and intercultural activities. Ukrainian-speaking animators ensured newcomers felt welcome, while 200 delicious WELDI-labeled muffins helped spark curiosity about the project 🍰✨ 🎤 The event was also attended by local leaders including Mayor Arkadiusz Chęciński, Senator Joanna Sekuła, and members of the City Council — reinforcing the city’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. 🌍 But that’s not all! WELDI in Sosnowiec is on a roll: ➡️ Free Polish language classes launched for 30 migrants (Ukrainian, Belarusian, Colombian, Filipino), based on needs identified through Urbact Local Group consultations ➡️ Multilingual migrant guidelines (EN, UA, soon ES) are being finalized for release this summer ➡️ Educational workshops in development for schools and cultural centers, focusing on anti-rumors, multicultural heritage, and human rights — to roll out city-wide from 2026 ➡️ Pending AMIF results may lead to the creation of a One Stop Shop for migrant services ➡️ A public wrap-up event is planned this fall to present WELDI’s outcomes and impact ➡️ In early June, Sosnowiec will host Children’s Week, celebrating European cultural diversity with its youngest residents 👏 Huge thanks to the Sosnowiec team for making WELDI so visible and impactful on the ground! City Council of Sosnowiec

🇵🇱 Celebrating Cultural Diversity in Sosnowiec! On May 2nd, Poland celebrated Flag Day — and in Sosnowiec, our Polish WELDI partner city URBACT Polska, this year’s celebration took a vibrant and inclusive turn under the theme “Sosnowiec – The City of Many Cultures.” At Jacek Kuroń Park, right beside the city’s most popular playground, families and children gathered spontaneously to enjoy integration games and intercultural activities. Ukrainian-speaking animators ensured newcomers felt welcome, while 200 delicious WELDI-labeled muffins helped spark curiosity about the project 🍰✨ 🎤 The event was also attended by local leaders including Mayor Arkadiusz Chęciński, Senator Joanna Sekuła, and members of the City Council — reinforcing the city’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. 🌍 But that’s not all! WELDI in Sosnowiec is on a roll: ➡️ Free Polish language classes launched for 30 migrants (Ukrainian, Belarusian, Colombian, Filipino), based on needs identified through Urbact Local Group consultations ➡️ Multilingual migrant guidelines (EN, UA, soon ES) are being finalized for release this summer ➡️ Educational workshops in development for schools and cultural centers, focusing on anti-rumors, multicultural heritage, and human rights — to roll out city-wide from 2026 ➡️ Pending AMIF results may lead to the creation of a One Stop Shop for migrant services ➡️ A public wrap-up event is planned this fall to present WELDI’s outcomes and impact ➡️ In early June, Sosnowiec will host Children’s Week, celebrating European cultural diversity with its youngest residents 👏 Huge thanks to the Sosnowiec team for making WELDI so visible and impactful on the ground!

👶 Welcoming Starts Early: Rethinking Early Childhood Support in Migrant Policies 📍 In Seine-Saint-Denis, our French partner 🇫🇷 — where nearly one in three residents is foreign-born — local authorities are reshaping inclusion policies, starting not at school age, but from the earliest moments of childhood. During the latest WELDI URBACT Local Group session, the focus was on early childhood and the rights of young migrant children and their families. More than 50 participants from 30+ institutions — elected officials, childcare professionals, and civil society actors — gathered to explore how local policies can better respond to this crucial stage of development.🌱 💡 Key takeaways from the session: 🔹 Migrant caregivers play a key role – Many migrant women provide informal care but remain unrecognized. The need for formal pathways to validate their skills and improve working conditions was widely supported. 🔹 Flexibility is essential – Existing childcare models don’t always reflect the reality of working-class or migrant families. More adaptable solutions — including home-based and non-standard hours — are needed. 🔹 Parenting support must be intercultural – Promoting maternal languages, community trust, and culturally sensitive tools can greatly improve child development and family engagement. 🔹 Innovation is already happening – The “Cabins of the First 1000 Days” were highlighted as a promising model offering safe, low-threshold, and playful spaces for young children and parents — rooted in local realities. 🛠 These findings will directly shape the WELDI Integrated Action Plan in Conseil départemental de la Seine-Saint-Denis, reinforcing how local networks can create concrete, human rights-based solutions through co-design and participation. Read full article written by our expert Dirk Gebhardt: https://lnkd.in/gFe8twWN Nadia Azoug Amos Waintrater Manon Sourdeau Solène de Chavigny Maugin Kulthum LAOUFI Lucrezia Matani Sarah Simonin ANVITA - Association Nationale des Villes et Territoires Accueillants PROFESSION BANLIEUE Liveo URBACT & EUI - France Luxembourg

🌟 Spotlight on Fundão! 🇵🇹 We’re thrilled to share that the Município do Fundão, a key partner in the WELDI network, has been awarded the prestigious URBACT Good Practice label for the 2024–2025 cycle — not once, but three times! 🏆🏆🏆 Recognized for its outstanding work in: 🔹 Craft Lab – modernizing traditional crafts with digital manufacturing 🔹 Friendly City of Investment and Innovation – fostering a welcoming environment for innovation and enterprise 🔹 Capacity Building for Third-Country Nationals – supporting the integration and inclusion of migrants 👏 Fundão now holds the title of the Portuguese city with the highest number of URBACT Good Practices, underlining its leadership in inclusive, innovative, and future-oriented urban development. These awards were celebrated during the URBACT City Festival in Poland — a gathering of Europe’s most forward-thinking cities. WELDI is proud to count Fundão among its active partners, bringing concrete solutions to inclusive city-making across Europe. 💬 As Mayor Paulo Fernandes stated: “these distinctions reinforce the Municipality of Fundão’s commitment to smart, integrated, and participatory urban practices, with a positive impact on citizens’ quality of life and the attractiveness of the territory, recognizing the municipality’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative urban policies that combine local tradition with technological innovation and inclusive development » URBACT Polska Filipa Batista Michaela Gil Paulo Fernandes #Inclusion #CityFestival2025 #SmartCities #UrbanDevelopment

🇵🇹 Fundão puts storytelling at the heart of inclusion!🎬 To celebrate International Migrants Day last December, the Município do Fundão launched a powerful video series titled “Conversas a Propósito” — a standout local initiative developed as part of the Scale Actions for WELDI – URBACT project. 🇵🇹🌍 This 10-part series features short, engaging episodes that explore key themes such as health, education, employment, and culture, while showcasing real testimonies from migrants living in Fundão. The launch began with a special four-part "Episode Zero", featuring Alcina Cerdeira, Municipal Councillor, who reflected on the importance of interculturality and how it’s shaping the municipality’s vision for inclusion. Produced in collaboration with Rádio Cova da Beira and the Incubadora de Música, this series is a great example of how cities can use local media and authentic voices to spark meaningful dialogue around migration and belonging. 👏 A big shoutout to Fundão for this inspiring contribution to the WELDI network — a creative, human-centered approach that truly brings the right to the city to life. https://lnkd.in/ejsqrXqF Filipa Batista Michaela Gil URBACT Portugal URBACT Alcina Cerdeira #LocalVoices

🎙️ Spotlight on a great initiative from our Belgian partner Ville de Liège! 🇧🇪 As part of the WELDI project, we’re highlighting Migr'Actions, a journal dedicated to migration issues, created by our Belgian partner : Liège. 🎧✨ This French-language interview provides a valuable platform for discussing key challenges and solutions related to migration and inclusion. In the latest episode, Jean-Pierre Ilouga, an educator at SADA (CPAS de Liège), shares his experience supporting Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (UFM) as they transition into adulthood. This insightful discussion sheds light on the challenges these young people face and the solutions that can help them integrate successfully. 🎯 What to expect in this episode: 🔍 How can we support these young people on their path to independence? 💬 What obstacles do they encounter when they come of age? 💡 What best practices can help them integrate sustainably? 📢 This important topic is further explored in the latest issue of the CRIPEL journal, entirely dedicated to this theme. 🎧 Listen to the interview (in French) here: https://lnkd.in/eTx6zQET The online website : https://lnkd.in/exxDy_UQ URBACT & EUI BE Ville de Liège Gregor Stangherlin Jérôme Battistini #Migration #Inclusion #UnaccompaniedMinors

🚀 Releasing our WELDI Midterm Review! 🚀 As a reminder, the WELDI network brings together ten European cities committed to placing human rights at the heart of migrant reception and integration. Despite a challenging political climate, these cities are shaping inclusive policies that benefit all residents. 🇪🇺 🔎 Key takeaways of this review: 🏡 Housing – Cities like Fundão are using EU recovery funds to expand social housing, while Liège has partnered with private landlords to create temporary rental solutions for vulnerable migrants. 💼 Work – Fundão offers training for migrants in key local industries, such as PDO cheese production and olive orchard management, while Utrecht integrates English language courses to improve job access for migrants. 🏥 Healthcare – Lampedusa has improved obstetric services for vulnerable migrants, reducing costs and benefiting local residents, while Seine-Saint-Denis ensures migrants have access to healthcare services tailored to their needs. 🎟️ City Cards – Utrecht is planning a city card for undocumented migrants, which will provide access to municipal services and discounts, while Liège is making its "Carte Ardente" available to migrants to foster inclusion and support their rights. 🛡️ Fighting Discrimination and Misinformation – WELDI cities like Timisoara collaborate with civil society organizations to combat anti-migrant myths, helping to build solidarity and a welcoming environment for all. WELDI proves that local action can make a difference. 📖 Read our full midterm review written by our expert Dirk Gebhardt to see how cities are driving change! https://lnkd.in/dTK9Z64e #HumanRights #Migration #InclusiveCities #WELDI #URBACT #LocalGovernance #SocialCohesion URBACT URBACT IV ROMANIA URBACT & EUI - France Luxembourg URBACT & EUI BE URBACT & EUI in Nederland URBACT Polskav URBACT Portugal Município do Fundão Ville de Liège Conseil départemental de la Seine-Saint-Denis Gemeente Utrecht