Errenteria will compete on April 21 to be the winner of the European Commission's Inclusion and Diversity Awards. This award, now in its fifth edition, recognizes the best practices of cities, municipalities, and regions that promote diversity as a source of progress and innovation, inclusive policies and societies, and a sense of participation for all citizens.
The town has been selected as a finalist in two of the award categories. Firstly, in the category for local entities with fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, where the European Commission highlights the welcome offered to newcomers. Among the aspects emphasized is the commitment to guaranteeing basic rights and full citizenship for all residents.
In this regard, the city council specifically mentions the new GU Harreragunea service, recently launched by the municipality, which represents a substantial improvement in reception. However, despite the merit of being among the finalists, Errenteria will have to compete against four other localities in this category.
Furthermore, Errenteria is also a finalist in the section recognizing work done to foster an inclusive labor market, with explicit commitments such as facilitating the homologation of qualifications to boost integration into skilled sectors. In this case, Errenteria will compete against nine other local entities, including towns from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden, which have already been recognized for their policies and initiatives aimed at combating discrimination.
This commitment remains essential to continue building a more cohesive and egalitarian Errenteria.
For this reason, the City Council has expressed “great satisfaction,” as it highlights “a historical vocation for welcoming and an inclusive trajectory deeply rooted in the municipality.” Representing Errenteria at the event on Tuesday, April 21, will be Mayor Aizpea Otaegi, the Councilor for Cultural Diversity, Development Cooperation, and Human Rights, Itsaso Cruz, and the department's technician, Samira Goddi.
