“Religions & Tolerance”, a new two-year programme connecting cities in Europe that want to “strengthen the capacity of European local authorities to manage religious diversity in a democratic, inclusive and pluralistic way” has been presented.

On Friday, 6 February, the initiative was presented at the Palacio de Parcent, in Madrid (Spain). The aim is to encourage local authorities to work with religious minorities in their cities and towns.

The project, also called RE-TO brings together a range of institutional, academic, administrative and civil society actors to improve the management of religious diversity in Europe.

There was a notable evangelical representation at the opening ceremony. Carolina Bueno, executive secretary of the Protestant federation FEREDE was among the attendees, as well as Eva Contador of the Public Life group of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance, and members of the Evangelical Council of Madrid.

Martínez-Sicluna: Democratic and plural approach to faith groups

Luis Martínez-Sicluna, Secretary General of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities (FEMP), escribed “religions and Tolernace” as “innovative, aimed at strengthening the capacities of local entities to manage religious diversity in a democratic, inclusive and plural manner”.

He highlighted the work carried out together with the Spanish authorities in the last years. Alongside the Spanish federation of cities, Re-To has among its partners universities in Portugal and the Netherlands, and city councils such as that of Milan, in Italy.

The religious diversity in Spain, Martínez-Sicluna explained, includes “16 officially recognised confessions”, which shows “the diversity of the social fabric” and calls for “adapted and sensitive public policies that guarantee the full exercise of religious freedom and social cohesion”.

The work of the city council and other actors should lead to a “proactive and collaborative management” which “contributes to reducing tensions and promoting interfaith dialogue”.

The model: 31 cities in Spain

The programme will disseminate tools and protocols, and promote specialised training for local administration staff. Among the actions planned, he referred to extending the current Network of Municipalities for Tolerance in Spain, formed by 31 municipalities, to many others across the European Union.

At the event, the Spanish government’s Director General for Religious Freedom, Mercedes Murillo, said it was fundamental for local governments and their policies to “ensure the effective exercise of the right to freedom of worship”.

“It is the duty of public authorities to create the conditions that allow this right, and in this task local administrations play an essential role”, due to their proximity to citizens and the work and responsibilities they are assuming in public services (from the opening of places of worship to the provision of burial sites).

The European project was explained in greater detail after the opening ceremony. Afterwards, a round table provided a closer look at the management of religious diversity in European cities.

The “Religions and Tolerance” project was approved by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) of the European Commission. Its implementation period is 24 months (ending in December 2026).

Tools, a handbook, and European values

Its specific objectives are, according to its website: To raise awareness among local governments of the importance of their role in promoting the conditions necessary to ensure effective equality and freedom for religious minorities; to provide local authorities with tools to manage religious diversity in a democratic, inclusive and pluralistic manner; to promote collaboration between municipalities and to facilitate the exchange of good practices in the inclusive management of religious diversity, strengthening mutual understanding and collaboration between public administrations and religious actors to foster the exercise of religious freedom while addressing key issues such as the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the promotion of sustainable development; and improving knowledge about the right to religious freedom and fostering tolerance among citizens with a special focus on youth.

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