local and regional authorities to be recognised as strategic partners in designing, implementing and monitoring national action plans.
adequate financial resources to be earmarked for local and regional authorities in the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, from EU funds and from Next Generation EU.
adoption of local and regional anti-racism action plans.
CoR as a platform for the further development of measures to combat racism at local and regional level.
need for national anti-racism action plans to be properly monitored by the Commission within the timeframe set, with clear and measurable targets.
evaluation of the effectiveness of the national anti-racism action plans should be scheduled two years after their establishment, with full information from local and regional authorities.
CoR's involvement in the "European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity".
On 19 March 2021, the first European Anti-racism Summit was organised by the European Commission and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in cooperation with the Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup of the European Parliament: rapporteur Renström participated representing the CoR.
Ms. Yoomi Renstrom was appointed special advisor to the first jury of the DG JUST European Capitals of Diversity and Inclusion award, as rapporteur on the opinion on "A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025" .
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- supports the Commission's efforts to develop a Union of Equality that will safeguard the interests of all people, regardless of racial or ethnic origin, by integrating equality and intersectionality into all EU policies, legislation and funding programmes;
- notes that local and regional authorities play a crucial role in promoting and respecting European values and are on the front line when it comes to tackling racism and hate crime, protecting vulnerable groups and minorities, and promoting social cohesion;
- underlines that one crucial step in effectively addressing structural racism is identifying areas where racism persists such as education, housing, healthcare, employment, etc.;
- highlights the need for comprehensive data on discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin;
- underlines that COVID-19 has highlighted and exacerbated Europe's existing inequalities, marginalisation and discrimination, and has reinforced structural racism. Therefore, any response to the pandemic should take an anti-discrimination approach;
- calls for local and regional authorities to be recognised as strategic partners in designing, implementing and monitoring anti-racism national action plans;
- believes that, in addition to adopting action plans at national level, it may be useful to have local and regional action plans;
- stresses that an evaluation of the effectiveness of the national anti-racism action plans should be scheduled two years after their establishment, with full information from local and regional authorities;
- urges the Commission to formally involve the Committee each year when it designates one or more "European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity";
- looks forward to being involved and cooperating with the future coordinator for anti-racism;
- calls for counter-narratives condemning racism, promoting social inclusion and empowering people regardless of racial or ethnic origin.