PACT project kicks off WP1 coordination, paving the way for inclusive governance and minority participation in Europe

The PACT – Participatory Action for Community Transformation project has officially launched its first phase with the WP1 Coordination Meeting, held online on 28 January 2026, bringing together partners from across Europe to align strategies, exchange perspectives, and co-design the foundations of upcoming activities.

Funded under the CERV – Networks of Towns programme, PACT is a 24-month European initiative that aims to contribute to the recognition, empowerment and inclusion of underrepresented ethnic and national minorities in local communities. By strengthening cooperation between municipalities, civil society organisations and minority-led actors, the project promotes inclusive governance, participatory democracy and social cohesion across Europe.

The project is led by ADL Zavidovići (Italy) and implemented by a transnational partnership including Fons Català de Cooperació al Desenvolupment (Spain), KMOP – Social Action and Innovation Centre (Greece), Center for Intercultural Dialogue – CID (North Macedonia), PLACE Network (France) and KONKÁV (Hungary).
ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy leads the coordination of events at European level, strengthening the link between the project’s transnational scope and its communication and advocacy actions.

A collaborative start: WP1 Coordination Meeting

The WP1 kick-off meeting marked an important first step in translating the project’s vision into concrete actions. The session created space for partners to present their organisations, target groups and local contexts, while identifying shared challenges and opportunities related to minority participation.

Partners highlighted experiences from working with migrant-led organisations, Muslim communities, Roma youth and families, as well as municipalities committed to anti-racism and inclusion policies. Across different national contexts, a common concern emerged: the difficulty in reaching underrepresented minorities, compounded by barriers to participation and the persistence of misleading or exclusionary narratives.

The meeting focused on the core principles guiding WP1 activities: cooperation, co-design and co-creation.

Throughout the meeting, partners reaffirmed the project’s commitment to a human-rights-based and participatory approach, placing minorities at the centre of decision-making processes as active contributors and rights-holders.

Looking ahead: WP1 International Conference and Workshops in Brussels

Preparations are now underway for the WP1 International Conference and Workshop on the Promotion of Minorities’ Participation in Multi-level Governance, which will take place on 10–11 March 2026 in Brussels, at Amazone – House of Associations for Gender Equality.

The two-day event will gather 76 participants from 10 European countries, including representatives of municipalities, civil society organisations, minority-led groups, experts and practitioners.

By fostering dialogue between local and European actors, the event will represent a key milestone in advancing inclusive governance models and democratic participation across Europe.

With WP1 officially underway, PACT is setting the foundations for a shared European effort to reshape narratives, enhance participation and build more cohesive and inclusive communities.