United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) participated in the final conference of the RIGHTSCITIES project, “Bringing Fundamental Rights Home”, held on 17 March 2026 in Gdańsk, and co-hosted by the cities of Gdańsk and Sopot. UCLG was represented by Adrià Duarte, Head of the OIDP and Coordinator of the UCLG Committee on Social Inclusion, Participatory Democracy and Human Rights (CISDPDH), who contributed to the opening session of the event.
The conference brought together representatives from local governments, international organizations, academia, and civil society to reflect on the role of cities in promoting and implementing fundamental rights at the local level. Participants explored both the opportunities and challenges faced by municipalities in building inclusive communities grounded in equality, shared values, and respect for human rights.
The OHCHR was represented by Pradeep Wagle, Chief of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Section, who highlighted the important role played by local governments in the implementation and safeguarding of Human Rights. OHCHR and UCLG are committed to work together to advance the recognition of local and regional governments as key actors in the Human Rights agenda.
Several members of our Committee actively contributed to the conference, sharing their experiences and insights on advancing human rights at the local level. These included Vienna, Utrecht, Lund, as well as the host cities Gdańsk and Sopot. Their participation highlighted the strength of the UCLG network and CISDPDH in fostering peer learning and collaboration among local governments committed to advancing human rights and inclusive governance.
Key sessions focused on practical experiences from cities across Europe, including municipal training initiatives and approaches to assessing compliance with fundamental rights at the local level. Discussions underscored the importance of equipping local governments with concrete tools and knowledge to translate international human rights frameworks into effective local action, while fostering cross-sector dialogue and cooperation.
The event marked the culmination of the RIGHTSCITIES project, a European initiative aimed at supporting cities in localizing the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Implemented by a consortium including the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI), together with academic institutions, international organizations and local governments across Europe, the project has developed practical tools to strengthen a human rights-based approach in local governance.
Among its key outcomes are self-assessment tools enabling cities to evaluate how well their policies and structures align with fundamental rights, as well as targeted instruments addressing specific groups such as persons with disabilities. The project also includes the development of online learning resources to support municipal officials and policymakers in understanding and applying human rights in their daily work. These tools aim to ensure that human rights are effectively implemented in the everyday lives of communities.
Our Committee reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the Human Rights Cities approach and to supporting local and regional governments worldwide in placing human rights at the centre of public policies. Through collaboration with partners and cities, UCLG continues to advocate for stronger multilevel governance and for the localization of fundamental rights as a cornerstone of democratic, inclusive, and resilient societies.
Find more information about the RIGHTCITIES Project here