In line with the Participa City project’s efforts to prevent racism and discrimination of ethnic and cultural minorities across Europe, the City of Lille has launched a groundbreaking Territorial Action Plan against Racism, Antisemitism, and Discrimination Based on Origin for 2025–2026. This initiative strengthens prevention strategies, promotes participation of marginalized groups, and sensitisizes decision makers to dismantle discriminatory structures—core goals shared by Participa City.
On June 4, the City of Lille officially unveiled its new Territorial Action Plan against Racism, Antisemitism, and Discrimination Based on Origin (2025–2026). The event, held at the Gymnase in central Lille, brought together over 100 local civil society organizations, including the French representative of the Grdr Migration-Citizenship-Development.
This mobilization follows a series of alarming incidents, including the racially motivated murder of a Malian immigrant in a mosque – a tragedy evoked by Mayor Arnaud Deslandes and his Deputy Jérôme Pianezza in their opening speeches. “We must collectively respond with strength to a climate of racism, tacitly legitimized at the highest levels of the State, and which is undermining the foundations of our society,” declared the Mayor, punctuating his call with the rallying cry: “Ça suffit! Enough is enough!”.
The Action Plan sets out four strategic axes:
- Measuring discrimination through annual perception surveys and data collection in employment, housing, and access to services.
- Challenging stereotypes and racist narratives through education and public campaigns, particularly among young people.
- Supporting victims and ensuring access to justice, while tackling underreporting and encouraging legal redress.
- Promoting institutional accountability, especially through mandatory anti-discrimination training for city employees and contractors.
The initiative is rooted in a participatory process, co-developed with associations, human rights defenders, and citizen consultative bodies. During the event, stakeholders were invited to propose concrete actions aligned with the plan’s goals. The Grdr, like other NGOs present, welcomed this open approach and began brainstorming initiatives to address systemic barriers faced by immigrants and racialized communities in Lille.
Source: GrDr Migration-Citizenship-Development
As the city moves to implement the plan, the collective responsibility now lies in ensuring that the promises of equity and inclusion translate into tangible outcomes on the ground. The coming months will show how this ambitious municipal commitment reshapes everyday realities in Lille’s neighborhoods.
Participa City stands alongside French partners in supporting such initiatives that foster diversity-friendly, inclusive societies across Europe.