Building equality and belonging

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In cities and villages across Europe, the promise of equality often feels unevenly distributed. For many, discrimination is still part of daily life: in the workplace, at school, or at the border. The Pact for Equality was born from this reality - a shared conviction that our continent can do better.

How to build a Europe where equality is not just protected, but actively promoted? How to build systems that value diversity, ensure fair representation, and address the historical and structural factors that continue to influence inequality today?

Launched through the DEAR project TACKLE, the Pact brings together policy makers, grassroots movements, local communities, trade unions, and activists in a long-term commitment to address discrimination and promote equality across Europe.

The Pact has created a new, structured dialogue process between communities and decision-makers - a commitment that will continue for at least the next five years and beyond. It represents a hope-based approach, where collaboration replaces confrontation and bridges are built instead of barriers.

Thanks to tens of young advocates with migration backgrounds, more than 60 policy makers across Europe have already signed the Pact for Equality, committing to promote equality and non-discrimination in their legislative work. Their ‘tasks’ include monitoring the implementation of equality policy frameworks, improving fairness and inclusion within migration and asylum systems, and working with national equality bodies to strengthen accountability at local level. 

Also, with the facilitation of TACKLE, migrant-led and community organisations are now taking part more directly in policy discussions across Europe, helping decision-making processes be more inclusive. Advocacy meetings and open letters coordinated through the project have already contributed to several parliamentary discussions on equality and migration. And workshops and public dialogues held in Marseille, Brussels and Palermo have brought together hundreds of activists, academics, and community representatives to exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation.

These exchanges are new opportunities for migrant and minority groups to share their perspectives in different fora across Europe, promoting positive narratives about diversity, highlighting stories of resilience and solidarity, and fostering a dialogue based on inclusion and mutual respect.

What began as a campaign has become a growing movement for system transformation. The TACKLE project has created a network where civil society groups from Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and beyond collaborate to turn the Pact’s principles into action.

Equality is not an abstract concept. It is experienced every day in workplaces, schools and communities. And lasting change is possible when grassroots action is supported by meaningful participation.

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Tackle was recently hosted at the Cap4Dev Podcast. Listen to the voices of protagonists:

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