Ahead of the kick-off of EU Diversity Month tomorrow, the European Commission has announced the winners of the fifth edition of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award. As a key action of the Union of Equality, the Award celebrates towns, cities, and regions across the EU that lead by example in fostering inclusive policies and driving diversity.
This year’s winners are cities and municipalities from Belgium, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. They have been recognised for their work to build fairer societies by promoting diversity and inclusion across gender, racial and ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability, age, and LGBTIQ+ identities.
The winners of the gold awards for each category of the 2026 European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award are: Józsefváros, Budapest’s 8th District, Hungary, in the category of ‘local authorities with more than 50,000 inhabitants’; and Errenteria, Spain, in the categories of ‘local authorities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants’, and specific award for building inclusive labour markets for all.
The public choice award, for which the audience voted a week before the Awards ceremony, went to Marsicovetere, Italy.
Applications for the fifth edition were open from November 2025 to beginning of February 2026. A jury of experts evaluated the applications based on a range of criteria, including the nature and scope of initiatives, ownership and level of commitment, the quality and sustainability of initiatives, and the involvement of people exposed to discrimination in policymaking.
