Key Objectives
Strengthening cities’ capacities to implement the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Promoting collaboration between city officials, civil society, and academics to foster a united approach to human rights integration.
Developing and sharing tools and resources that assist cities in embedding human rights principles into their governance structures.
Advocating for good practices and building a network of Human Rights Cities across Europe, committed to human rights accountability and innovation.
About our partners
Human Rights Office of the City of Vienna coordinates human rights as a cross-cutting topic in all areas of the Vienna City Administration and makes the City of Vienna’s commitment to human rights visible. The Human Rights Office was opened in September 2015. The basis of the work of the Human Rights Office is defined by the declaration “Vienna – city of human rights” and the coalition government agreement of the Vienna city government.
City of Utrecht (The Netherlands)
As early as 2012, the United Nations named Utrecht the first ‘human rights city’ in the Netherlands. Utrecht received this title because the city had been working for years to translate international agreements on, among other things, poverty and privacy into local policy.
Lund’s municipal council voted last week to work systematically with human rights. The decision makes Lund the first “human rights city” in Sweden. Lund municipality has collaborated with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute to develop a systematical work procedure regarding human rights issues since 2016. This means that the city is working internally with a human rights perspective when making decisions affecting its citizens. It can include decisions concerning, for example, education, city planning and eldercare. A human rights city should collaborate with companies, universities and other actors that are working actively to develop human rights.
City of Gdansk (Poland)
Gdansk, known for its rich history of civic activism and social movements, continues to champion human rights through its involvement in the RIGHTSCITIES project. As a leader in promoting inclusive governance, Gdansk is committed to integrating the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into its policies and daily operations. The city actively engages local government officials, civil society, and residents in human rights education and capacity-building initiatives, fostering a culture of equality, tolerance, and justice. Gdansk’s participation in the project strengthens its role as a beacon of human rights advocacy and innovation at the local level.
City of Sopot (Poland)
The city of Sopot is committed to promoting human rights and fostering an inclusive community for all its residents. Through its involvement in the RIGHTSCITIES project, Sopot is working to embed the principles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into its local governance. The city focuses on enhancing human rights awareness among public officials and citizens, developing tools for rights-based assessments, and fostering collaboration between local government, civil society, and international partners. Sopot’s dedication to human rights reflects its broader commitment to social justice, equality, and civic participation.
Academic partners
Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights (RWI) (Lead)
As a leading institution in human rights education and research, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) plays a pivotal role in the RIGHTSCITIES project. RWI brings its extensive expertise in promoting human rights and good governance to support cities in integrating the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into local policies. Through research, capacity-building, and the development of practical tools, the institute helps empower city officials and civil society to uphold human rights principles. RWI’s commitment to fostering a global culture of human rights is reflected in its vital contributions to the project’s mission of creating inclusive, rights-based urban governance.
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights
The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI) is a key contributor to the RIGHTSCITIES project, bringing its expertise in human rights research and policy development to help local governments implement the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. LBI focuses on developing practical tools and guidance for cities to assess and enhance their human rights compliance. By fostering collaboration between public officials, civil society, and academic institutions, the institute plays a crucial role in strengthening the integration of human rights into everyday governance. LBI’s work ensures that cities are equipped to promote justice, equality, and accountability at the local level.
Utrecht University, renowned for its academic excellence and dedication to social justice, is a key academic partner in the RIGHTSCITIES project. The university’s involvement focuses on advancing human rights research and supporting the integration of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into local governance across European cities. Through interdisciplinary research, capacity-building efforts, and collaboration with civil society and city officials, Utrecht University helps develop innovative tools and strategies for rights-based assessments. Its contributions ensure that cities are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to promote and protect human rights at the local level.
Key Themes and Focus Areas
Capacity Building
The RIGHTSCITIES project places a strong emphasis on capacity building, offering tailored training programs to strengthen the ability of city officials and civil society to assess and implement human rights at the local level. Through a combination of online learning modules, ‘train-the-trainer’ programs, and practical tools, the project equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to align their city’s governance with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. By developing and testing assessment tools, the project helps local governments and rights-holders understand and evaluate human rights compliance in real-world contexts. These capacity-building efforts empower cities to take concrete steps toward more inclusive and accountable governance.
Human Rights Integration
The RIGHTSCITIES project works to ensure that human rights principles, as outlined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, are fully embedded into local governance structures. This involves developing practical tools and assessment frameworks to help cities evaluate and enhance their compliance with human rights standards. Through training and capacity-building initiatives, city officials and civil society actors are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to integrate these principles into policies, procedures, and everyday decision-making processes. By doing so, the project aims to create more inclusive, accountable, and rights-based urban governance across Europe.
Collaboration and Engagement
A key aspect of the RIGHTSCITIES project is its emphasis on collaboration and engagement. The project brings together local governments, civil society organizations, and academic institutions to foster a multi-stakeholder approach to human rights governance. By encouraging dialogue and shared learning, the project facilitates the exchange of knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions among partner cities. This collaborative framework ensures that diverse perspectives are included in shaping policies, and that cities work together to tackle common human rights challenges. Through workshops, joint meetings, and an online platform, RIGHTSCITIES builds a strong network of cities committed to advancing human rights locally.
Expected Impact and Outcomes
Transforming Local Governance and Human Rights Integration
The RIGHTSCITIES project aims to create a significant and lasting impact on local governance across Europe by embedding human rights principles into city policies and practices. By empowering city officials and civil society through capacity-building initiatives and providing practical tools for human rights assessments, the project will enhance the ability of local governments to uphold and protect the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This will lead to more transparent, accountable, and rights-based governance, ultimately fostering more inclusive, equitable cities that prioritize the well-being of all residents. Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the project will also inspire other European cities to adopt similar approaches to human rights integration.
Ensuring Long-Term Impact and Lasting Change
To ensure the long-term sustainability of its outcomes, the RIGHTSCITIES project focuses on building durable frameworks and processes that will continue to support human rights integration beyond the project’s duration. By developing sustainable tools, training modules, and networks, the project equips local governments with the resources they need to maintain and expand human rights practices over time. The creation of a Human Rights Cities network, combined with the dissemination of best practices and mutual learning, ensures that the project’s results will not only benefit the participating cities but will also be shared and adapted by other cities across Europe, leading to a ripple effect of positive, lasting change.
Project Timeline
- A visual timeline showing key milestones from project launch to completion, with major events such as:
- Kick-off meeting (2024)
- Capacity building and tool development (2025)
- Self-assessment pilot and local assessments (2025-2026)
- Final consortium meeting and public dissemination (2026)