What makes a municipality truly inclusive? Not only the policies it adopts but how it works from the inside out. Because before you can build equity in communities, you need to foster it within your own walls.
This is the starting point of #InsideInclusionEU: a new campaign from the DiGiN project focused on internal transformation in municipalities. From October to December 2025, we’ll explore what it takes to create workplaces where all municipal employees across backgrounds, identities and abilities feel safe, valued and heard.
We invite municipalities across Europe to join us on this journey. This is not a campaign of judgment but of reflection, mobilisation and support.
Why start from within?
Local governments shape the everyday lives of millions. Yet many of the inequalities we aim to eliminate – discrimination, exclusion, silence exist within municipal structures themselves.
The message of #InsideInclusionEU is simple but powerful: Inclusive governance begins with inclusive institutions. If we want policies that reflect equity, we must first build teams and environments that live it. This campaign is designed to help municipalities see where they stand, take their next steps, and connect with peers doing the same.
Thematic waves: One campaign, many dimensions
From October to December 2025, we will address key dimensions of internal inclusion through a series of thematic waves, each linked to an international day of significance:
- Weeks 1–2: Intergenerational Inclusion & Mental Wellbeing
- Weeks 3–4: LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Policies & Culture
- Weeks 5–6: Addressing Gender-Based Violence at Work
- Weeks 7–8: Racial & Ethnic Equity in Local Government
- Weeks 9–10: Disability Inclusion in the Workplace
Each theme will feature blog posts, inspiring practices, visual campaigns and ready-to-use tools to help municipalities progress.
What’s in it for municipalities?
You’re not alone in this. Through #InsideInclusionEU, we’re offering a full set of free, tailored resources to support your journey:
The DEI Capacity Assessment Tool
An interactive self-assessment tool that helps you understand your current practices, uncover gaps, and plan next steps across key areas of workplace inclusion.
Inspiring Practices from European Municipalities
Examples of local governments transforming their internal structures from inclusive recruitment to anti-harassment protocols and affinity groups.
Guides and Frameworks
Resources to help you build intersectional strategies, start meaningful conversations, and create inclusive spaces for all staff.
Visibility and Belonging
By engaging with the campaign, your municipality will be part of a European-wide community of change sharing, learning and shaping the future of inclusive governance together.
Join the campaign: Be part of the change
Ready to take the next step?
The DEI Capacity Assessment Tool is now available to municipalities across Europe. Visit the tool to start your journey toward more inclusive workplaces today.
Let’s use the #InsideInclusionEU campaign to transform municipalities into spaces where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered.
Follow our updates on LinkedIn, Facebook, BlueSky and X, and join the conversation using #InsideInclusionEU. Let’s make a difference, together.
Adapt and use the campaign materials to develop your own messages: https://trello.com/b/eGPVIXlB
A final word to municipalities
We know the challenges are real from limited time and resources to institutional resistance. But we also know the power you hold.
By starting from within, you can set the tone for your entire community. You can show that equity isn’t just a principle it’s a practice. You can make your workplace a place of safety, dignity and belonging for every person on your team.
