Welcome to our Knowledge Hub!


In the Local Policies section you will find a compilation of local government policies on human rights, the right to the city, housing and other key topics for local social inclusion and participatory democracy agendas. Our search engine will allow you to select practices according to more specific categories or types of contents, including more than sixty case studies developed within the Inclusive Cities Observatory initiative (a joint endeavour by the UCLG-CSIPDHR, the University College of London and the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra). The Resources section of this Knowledge Hub gathers useful publications, policy documents, international declarations and valuable learning resources.

We hope you find these resources inspiring: Reach us to know more about any of them!

Departmental Observatory on VAWG by Seine Saint Denis
Interviews and Reports

A pioneer initiative developing a territorial system for addressing VAWG and protecting its victims

[ Know more about this policy ]

Barcelona's SARA Program on Victims of VAWG
External contents

Barcelona's municipal service to protect women victim from violence.

[ Know more ]

Consejo local de la Inmigración
External contents

The Immigration Council of Bilbao was created with the aim of empowering foreigners in their capacity for organization and dialogue.

[ Go to the Original Source ]

The transformation of social inclusion policies in 2020: Pichincha
Interviews and Reports

Part of the COVID-19 interview series by the UCLG-CSIPDHR.

São Paulo's Migrants Municipal Council
External contents

Fostering migrants' participation in municipal affairs through a dedicated council.

Welcoming Atlanta
External contents

A pioneer migrant affairs and integration municipal office implemented in Atlanta.

[ Go the original source ]

Immigrant Integration Model of Gdansk
External contents

Building acceptance, empathy and a spirit of openness among the local community.

[ Go the original source ]

Housing the homeless in Bangkok
External contents

Networks of homeless people in three cities plan, develop and manage their own secure shelter strategies.

[ Go the original source ]

Housing Justice 2.0 in Taipei
External contents

Promoting a new public policy on housing with social inclusion goals.

[ Go the original source ]

Participatory Budgeting for Migrant Workers in Taoyuan
External contents

Fostering migrants' inclusion through participatory budgeting.

[ Go the original source ]

Achievements and Challenges of the Human Rights City
External contents

Implementing a human rights agenda in Gwangju.

[ Go the original source ]

 
Vienna's Local Human Rights Strategy
Interviews and Reports

A look into a consolidate local human rights system. Interview taken in 2018.

[ Click here to read the report ]

The transformation of social inclusion policies in 2020: Vienna
Interviews and Reports

Part of the COVID-19 interview series by the UCLG-CSIPDHR.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Nadrozde Neighbourhood rehabilitation programme
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Urban upgrading in Wrocław's Nadrozde neighboruhood. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Villa Maria del Triunfo's Urban Agriculture Policy
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Recognizing urban agriculture as a permanent and legitimate activity. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The "Three Reductions, Three Gains" approach to agriculture
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Fostering a new approach to agriculture through participatory planning. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Training and education for young migrants
Case study

Vienna's Jugendcollege fosters young migrants labour inclusion.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

A Civic Strategy to Empower Vancouver's Youth Community
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Long-term plan to support the City's policy on youth. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Mainstreaming Social Inclusion in Local Policy-Making
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Insights on Vancouver's Social Development Plan. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Urban Renewal of Tunis Medina
Case study

An urban upgrading scheme with migrant inclusion goals.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

A Grassroots Approach to Migrant's Inclusion
Case study

The case of Morus association: Grassroots support to migrants' inclusion.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Implementing a Green Currency to Guarantee the Right to Energy
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Bringing light and income to poor farmers. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Mainstreaming Land Rights and Food Security in Urban Planning
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Land planning and urban agriculture in Dar es Salaam. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Municipal support to civil society for the social inclusion of migrants
Case study

In 2016, the local government supported five civil society organization partners on migration issues.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Co-Creating Public Space in Tacoma
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A local skate policy based on dialogue and cooperation. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Street vendor management in Surakarta
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Empowering and supporting informal workers livelihoods. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Green and Clearn Initiative of Surabaya
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A community education program focusing on waste management. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Redistributing Resources and Land Use in the Lower Amazon Floodplain
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Sustainable development in Santarem. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

San Francisco localizing the CEDAW Convention
Inclusive Cities Observatory

San Francisco's experience in localizing the UN CEDAW Treaty. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Coffee Trail Initiative
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Responsible Tourism. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Transforming Public Administration from an Inclusion Perspective
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Policy innovation in Saint Denis focused on participation and inclusion. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Rosario's Urban Agriculture Policy
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Fostering social inclusion and sustainable development. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The City Academy Programme
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A Local Public Health Strategy implemented in Recife. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Community Pulse: Measuring what Matters
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Fostering social cohesion and participatory upgrading in Port Philip. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Mainstreaming Participatory Democracy in a Regional Government
Inclusive Cities Observatory

The case of the (former) region of Poitou-Charentes. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Citizen Participation and Partnerships for Sustainable Development
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A participatory democracy scheme implemented in Palmela. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Supporting Women's Empowerment in L'Oriental
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A Local Desk Service Supports Women's Empowerment. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Strenghtening affordable and adequate housing provision
Interviews and Reports

Valencia's policy innovation in favour of the right to housing.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Promoting human rights from the local to the global levels
Interviews and Reports

An overview of Utrecht's human rights initiatives and innovations. Interview taken in 2020.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Local Strategy to Promote the Inclusion of People with Disabilities
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Integrating and enabling people with disabilities. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Restructuration of the Vulnerable Neighbourhood of Elmina
Inclusive Cities Observatory

The Restructuration of the Vulnerable Neighbourhood of Elmina. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Slum Upgrading in the North-Eastern Zone of Medellín
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Matadepera
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Building a sustainable community based on socio-ecological adaption. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Maternal health policy in Le Marche
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Promotion of Mothers' and Children's Health in the Immigrant Population. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Maputo's Urban Agriculture Policy
Inclusive Cities Observatory

The General Union of agricultural and Livestock Cooperatives. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The transformation of social inclusion policies in 2020: Sfax
Interviews and Reports

Part of the COVID-19 interview series by the UCLG-CSIPDHR.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Seoul's local human rights strategy
Interviews and Reports

Overview of Seoul's local human rights plan implementation.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Charter of Citizen Participation and Right to the City
Interviews and Reports

Bringing together human rights defenders and local governments.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Malmö's Experience in Muncipalizing the Local Water Service
Inclusive Cities Observatory

The variable geometry of participation in VA SYD Water. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Promoting Social Cohesion and Protecting Rights
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A community mediation program in Malawi's rural countryside. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Municipal Employment Programmee "Cuidemos Centro"
Case study

Promoting migrants' inclusion through a municipal employment program.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

A Mediation Strategy to Foster Migrant's Social Inclusion and Access to Public Space
Case study

A Mediation Strategy to Foster Migrant's Social Inclusion and Access to Public Space.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Participatory Cultural Planning in Lviv
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Building the cultural cappacities of the local community. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Urban Renewal in a Deprived Community
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Local development scheme implemented in Marsh Farm. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Fostering Access to Mediation Services and Human Rights
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Cazenga's Support Centre Legal Office. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

A Local Strategy to Promote Equality and Fight Racism
Inclusive Cities Observatory

An overview of London's non-discrimination policies. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Socio-Spatial Inclusion of Refugees and Economic Migrants
Case study

Refugi.Arte em Marvila: A comprehensive urban upgrading program in Lisbon's periphery.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Lisbon's SOMOS initiative
Case study

Promoting Human Rights Culture through Local Campaigning and Awareness Raising.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Kocaeli's Public Health Policy for Maternal and Child Health
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Guaranteeing universal access to maternal health. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Implementing the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy at the Local Level
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Sustainable development in Khong Chai (Thailand). Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The transformation of social inclusion policies in 2020: Rivas Vaciamadrid
Interviews and Reports

Part of the COVID-19 interview series by the UCLG-CSIPDHR.

[ Click here to read the report ]

The transformation of social inclusion policies in 2020: Renca
Interviews and Reports

Part of the COVID-19 interview series by the UCLG-CSIPDHR.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Municipal Council for Children
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Fostering Youth People Inclusion and Participation. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Local Plan Fostering Inclusion and Accessibilty
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Mainstreaming accessibilty in Jérez de la Frontera. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Fostering Urban Development and Local Autonomy
Inclusive Cities Observatory

The Nagar Raj Bill Act fosters community-based governance. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Meet the Mahatma Gandhi job-guarantee scheme. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Entrepreneurs Without Borders Initiative
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Supporting entrepeneurship among the local migrant community. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Guaranteeing universal rights in a city crossed by migratory routes
Interviews and Reports

Fostering access to rights and conviviality in Nador. Interview taken in 2019.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Fincas: An urban renewal project reclaiming vacant housing social function
Interviews and Reports

Meet the "Fincas" project implemented by Montevideo since 2019.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Montevideo's Policy Initiatives on the Right to the City
Interviews and Reports

An overview of housing and urban development policies implemented by Montevideo. Interview taken in 2018.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Terrassa's Human Rights Monitoring Commission
External contents

Participatory monitoring of Terrassa's commitment towards the European Human Rights in the City Charter.

[ Go the original source ]

São Paulo's Human Rights Secretariat
External contents

Mainstreaming the rights-based approach and fostering inclusion in Brazil's largest city.

[ Go the original source ]

Habana's Urban Agriculture Policy
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Fostering urban food production beyond times of crisis. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Vauban Sustainable Urban District
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Vauban's ecodistrict experience combines sustainability and social inclusion goals. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Upholding the Social Function of the Financial System
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A look into de Banco Palmas experience implemented in Fortaleza. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Eldoret's Experience in Municipalizing the Local Water Service
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A public policy with social inclusion and service improvement goals. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Local Cooperation to Treat Drug Addiction
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A successful cooperative scheme to locally address drug addiction based on public health. Case study written in 2011.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Public Laundries and Education Support for Women's Empowerment
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Social inclusion at the city's periphery. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Social inclusion policies transformation due to COVID-19: Mexico City
Interviews and Reports

Part of the COVID-19 interview series by the UCLG-CSIPDHR.

[ Click here to read the report ]

A local policy tackling racism by embracing diversity
Interviews and Reports

A successful social inclusion policy based on tackling racism by embracing diversity.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Madrid's Local Initiatives on Digital Democracy
Interviews and Reports

Explore Madrid's local initiatives on digital democracy. Interview taken in 2017.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Building a culture of peace from the bottom-up
Interviews and Reports

Grigny is mainstreaming the right to peace agenda through local action and global advocacy.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Promoting the notion of inclusive citizenship
Interviews and Reports

Grenoble is fostering the inclusion of migrant residents through participation and human rights awareness.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Goicoechea's human development policy
Interviews and Reports

Fostering inclusion through an approach based on participation and human rights.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Quito's Human Rights Protection Council
External contents

Local council for human rights protection. It brings together Quito's local government and human rights defenders.

[ Go the original source ]

Nuremberg's Human Rights Office
External contents

A pioneer local human rights office focused on awareness-raising, non-discrimination and historical memory.

[ Go the original source ]

Local Initiative on Psychosocial Recovery and Development in East Timor (PRADET)
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Supporting victims of trauma, violence and extreme violence. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Urban Renewal in Cova da Moura: Portugal's Critical Urban Areas Programme
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A local experience of Portugal's Critical Urban Areas Programme. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
A Participatory Budgeting Initiative Fostering Indigenous Women Empowerment
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Held in Cotacachi (Ecuador). Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Implementing a "Zero Poverty" Strategy at the Local Level
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Livelihood assistance, agrarian reform and youth development. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Fostering Migrants' Inclusion through Participatory Urban Renewal
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Migrant inclusion policy in a transient community. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Mexico City's Slum Upgrading Programme
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Neighbourhood improvement community programme implemented in 2007. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Bologna's initiatives on the Right to Housing
Interviews and Reports

Providing social housing and fighting evictions through solidarity and cooperativism.

[ Click here to read the report ]

The Social Control mechanism by Bogotá
Interviews and Reports

A local ombudsperson promoting transparency and citizen participation in Bogotá's local government.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Barcelona’s Observatory of Discrimination
Interviews and Reports

 An innovative, multi-stakeholder mechanism to monitor discrimination from a local point of view.

[ Click here to read the report ]

New York Human Rights Commission
External contents

A pioneer initiative in advancing human rights at the local level, focusing on non-discrimination and equality.

[ Go the original source ]

The National Human Rights Cities Alliance
External contents

Strengthening relationships among human rights city organizers and local advocates in the United States.

[ Go the original source ]

Montreal's Plan for a Diverse Metropolis
External contents

Montreal's flagship initiative on the right to housing, the plan is inspired by values of diversity and inclusion.

[ Go the original source ]

Mainstreaming Sustainability in Local Life: Cambieresti initiative
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Transforming consumption, conservation and lifestyle. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Implementing a "Zero Waste" Strategy at a Local Level
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Advancing the ecological transition from the bottom-up! Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Transforming the Cultural Policy of a City
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A year-long arts, culture and community dialogue project held in Çanakkale. Case studywritten in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Social Inclusion Audit and Toolkit for Local Libraries
Inclusive Cities Observatory

The audit allows libraries to better understand barriers to inclusion and accessibility. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Urban Renewal of Cairo's City Centre
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Slum upgrading project implemented in the al-Darb al-Ahmar district. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Participatory Slum Upgrading: The Credits System
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A participatory slum upgrading experience implemented in Santa Cruz. Case study written 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Local Policy on Homelessness
Case study

Case study developed in the context of the "Bogotá Humana" Development Plan.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Local Policy on Ageing and Old People
Case study

Case study developed in the context of the "Bogotá Humana" Development Plan.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Local Policy on Childhood and Adolescence
Case study

Case study developed in the context of the "Bogotá Humana" Development Plan.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Methodological guide on the Human Rights City model of Barcelona
Interviews and Reports

Explore the guiding principles of Barcelona's human rights policy!

[ Click here to read the report ]

A local plan to fight islamophobia
Interviews and Reports

Interview with the Deputy Mayor responsible for the implementation of the plan.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Local plan for the right to housing in Plaine Commune
Interviews and Reports

Guaranteeing a rooftop for everyone in a working-class metropolitan territory.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Can Jonch Human Rights Centre
External contents

A local centre facilitated by the local government of Granollers aimed at promoting human rights and peace culture.

[ Go the original source ]

Geneva's Martin Ennals Award
External contents

An annual prize for human rights defenders which also provides protection and support to human rights defenders who are at risk.

[ Go the original source ]

The Human Rights Defenders' Cities Programme
External contents

A human rights solidarity initiative by local governments from the Catalan Fund for Cooperation (Fons Català).

[ Go the original source ]

Caring for the Long-term Unemployed and the Elderly
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Long-term unemployed excluded from the labour market were trained as social workers. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Urban Renewal of Aglomerado da Serra - Villa Viva programme
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Fostering inclusion and improving the quality of life of families living in the Favela da Serra. Case study written in 2007.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Amel House of Human Rights: A space of solidarity with refugees
Case study

The Amel House for Human Rights seeks to fill knowledge and educational gaps surrounding human rights.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Barcelona's Local Office for Non-Discrimination
Case study

An innovative policy mechanism aimed at protecting and promoting the human rights of all Barcelona residents.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

The Human Rights Policy of Barcelona (2010)
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A look into the municipal human rights protection system of Barcelona. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Radio Sigida Joli: Building the Community
Inclusive Cities Observatory

A community radio experience fostering social cohesion and youth empowerement in Bamako. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Voices and insights from Indonesia’s rising human rights cities movement
Interviews and Reports

An overview of local human rights implementation in Indonesia, with a focus on the Wonosobo Regency experience.

[ Click here to read the report ]

Charleroi's Local Omdusperson
External contents

The city of Charleroi, in Belgium, counts with an advance local omdusperson institution fostering proximity-based access to justice.

[ Go the original source ]

Local Strategy for Free Public Transport
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Implementing a free public transport system to address spatial inequalities. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

 
Integrated Management of the Microbasins and Protected Natural Areas
Inclusive Cities Observatory

Design of a peri-urban natural corridor based on participatory methodologies. Case study written in 2010.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Inclusion of Migrants through Urban Renewal (Badr Nazzal)
Case study

A urban upgrading experience promoting the inclusion of refugees and social cohesion in Amman.

[ Click here to read the case study ]

Interviews and Reports
Inclusive Cities Observatory
Case study
External contents
Transforming the Cultural Policy of a City

Transforming the Cultural Policy of a City

Inclusive Cities Observatory

A year-long arts, culture and community dialogue project held in Çanakkale. Case studywritten in 2010.

Social Inclusion Audit and Toolkit for Local Libraries

Social Inclusion Audit and Toolkit for Local Libraries

Inclusive Cities Observatory

The audit allows libraries to better understand barriers to inclusion and accessibility. Case study written in 2010.

Urban Renewal of Cairo's City Centre

Urban Renewal of Cairo's City Centre

Inclusive Cities Observatory

Slum upgrading project implemented in the al-Darb al-Ahmar district. Case study written in 2010.

Participatory Slum Upgrading: The Credits System

Participatory Upgrading: Credits System

Inclusive Cities Observatory

A participatory slum upgrading experience implemented in Santa Cruz. Case study written 2010.

Local Policy on Homelessness

Local Policy on Homelessness

Case study

Case study developed in the context of the "Bogotá Humana" Development Plan.

Local Policy on Ageing and Old People

Local Policy on Ageing and Old People

Case study

Case study developed in the context of the "Bogotá Humana" Development Plan.

Local Policy on Childhood and Adolescence

Local Policy on Childhood and Adolescence

Case study

Case study developed in the context of the "Bogotá Humana" Development Plan.

Methodological guide on the Human Rights City model of Barcelona

Methodological guide on the Human Rights City model of Barcelona

Interviews and Reports

Explore the guiding principles of Barcelona's human rights policy!

A local plan to fight islamophobia

Barcelona promotes a plan to fight against islamophobia

Interviews and Reports

Interview with the Deputy Mayor responsible for the implementation of the plan.

Local plan for the right to housing in Plaine Commune

Local plan for the right to housing in Plaine Commune

Interviews and Reports

Guaranteeing a rooftop for everyone in a working-class metropolitan territory.

Can Jonch Human Rights Centre

Can Jonch Human Rights Centre

External contents

A local centre facilitated by the local government of Granollers aimed at promoting human rights and peace culture.

Geneva's Martin Ennals Award

Geneva's Martin Ennals Award

External contents

An annual prize for human rights defenders which also provides protection and support to human rights defenders who are at risk.