During its 134^th plenary session, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will launch its Cities and Regions for Integration initiative, to be implemented in cooperation with the European Commission and various associations of local and regional authorities. The new initiative will increase efforts to improve the integration of migrants and will showcase the potential benefits of migrant integration in EU cities, towns and rural areas, as well as the political, social and economic costs of failed integration.

The initiative will bring together mayors and other local and regional politicians to promote diversity in building inclusive cities and ensuring social cohesion. Specific objectives include:

• Providing a political platform for cities and regions to develop and promote proposals for EU policies and funding for the integration of migrants
• Sharing good practices from local policies and initiatives in migrant integration
• Promoting peer learning, especially linking cities that have more experience with cities and towns that have only recently begun to receive migrants
• Sharing information on European funding for integration
• Developing a positive narrative and examples/solutions for integration policies and countering disinformation
• Collecting data on good experiences and presenting it in an interactive map

Participating associations include Eurocities, Council of European Municipalities and Regions, Assembly of European Regions, Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions and national associations of local and regional authorities. The 134^th plenary session of the CoR will meet on 10 and 11 April 2019. The CoR represents local and regional authorities across the EU and advises on laws that impact cities and regions.

Read more about the new initiative