Rightscities

The RIGHTSCITIES project explores how the rights and freedoms set out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights can be made a bigger part of everyday decision-making in local communities. This is important because, without local protections for human rights, many can face unfair treatment, discrimination, or lack of access to essential services and support. Running from June 2024 to May 2026, this two-year EU co-funded project is carried out by the cities of Gdansk, Lund, Sopot, Utrecht and Vienna, as well as Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI), Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI), and Utrecht University. Together with local groups and experts, the project co-creates practical resources, like training sessions and helpful tools, using a bottom-up approach —which means the ideas and solutions come from people in the community. By sharing knowledge and showcasing great examples, RIGHTSCITIES aims to spread good practices across European cities and even further, making local communities more inclusive and rights-focused for everyone.