COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Union of Equality: Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030
Date: 2026-01-20
Institutions: Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, European Commission
Subjects: EU strategy, European social policy, anti-racist movement, equal treatment, ethnic discrimination, ethnic group, hate speech, protection of minorities, racism, xenophobia

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Strasbourg, 20.1.2026  COM(2026) 12 final  COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Union of Equality: Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030  
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION  

The  European  Union  (EU)  stands  for  unity,  democracy,  and  respect  for  human  rights.  The 
diversity of the people living in the EU is one of its greatest strengths, as acknowledged by 
the  founding  treaties.  The  EU  is  a  Union  of  Equality  ‘founded  on  the  values  of  respect  for 
human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, 
including the rights of people belonging to minorities’1. This foundation of the EU legal order 
implies an environment free from racism, where everyone can thrive and contribute to 
the prosperity of  their  societies. At times when these values are put into question, the EU 
stands by its people, their rights and freedoms, and there is no acceptance in the EU of any 
form of racism or discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin. 

In  2020,  the  Commission  adopted  the  EU  anti-racism  action  plan  2020-2025,  marking  an 
ambitious new phase in the EU’s effort to comprehensively fight racism. The action plan was 
a groundbreaking initiative that contributed to protecting everyone in the EU from racism and 
racial discrimination. It proposed numerous anti-racism measures to be implemented at EU, 
national,  regional  and  local  level,  including  legislative  initiatives  to  strengthen  protection 
from racial discrimination2 and increased support for anti-racism Civil Society Organisations 
(CSOs), through the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values (CERV) programme. 

Furthermore,  the  Commission  has  continued  to  build  a  strong  anti-racism  framework  by 
strengthening partnerships with counterparts, appointing the Commission’s first Coordinator 
on combating racism, and establishing dialogues with CSOs and Member State experts. The 
action plan resulted in 14 Member States adopting stand-alone national or regional action 
plans  against  racism. As  highlighted  in  the  Report  on  the  implementation  of  the  EU  anti-
racism action plan, significant progress has been made since the adoption of the plan, notably 
in  addressing  structural  racism,  adopting  an  intersectional  approach  to  policymaking  that 
integrates  different  forms  of  discrimination,  and  by  introducing  anti-racism  considerations 
into several policy areas, for example in education, employment and health policies.  

The  EU  anti-racism  action  plan  2020-2025  has  helped  to  put  racism  at  the  heart  of  public 
debates on pluralism, equality and non-discrimination and has fostered greater awareness of  
the threat that racism poses to Union values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European 
Union (TEU). Nonetheless, with almost two out of three Europeans still perceiving racial 
discrimination to be widespread in their EU country in 2023 (61% based on skin colour, 
up 2 percentage points from 2019, and 65% based on being Roma, up 4 percentage points)3 
there is a need to do more.    

Building  on  the  past  achievements  and  recognising  the  work  that  remains  to  be  done, 
President  Ursula  von  der  Leyen  announced  an  Anti-Racism  Strategy  in  her  political 
guidelines  2024-2029.  This  initiative  reflects  the  European  Parliament’s  call  to  continue 
the  work  of  the  anti-racism  action  plan  beyond  2025  by  developing  a  fully-fledged  EU 
strategy4. Member States have welcomed the announcement of an Anti-Racism Strategy 
and have stated their strong commitment to fighting racism and all forms of hatred5.  

1 Treaty on the European Union (TEU), Article 2 
2 See: Implementation Report on the Anti-racism action plan for further details 
3 Eurobarometer – Discrimination in the European Union 2023 
4 European Parliament Resolution of 10 November 2022: Racial justice, non-discrimination and anti-racism in the EU (2022)0389 
5  See  for  example  Council  Conclusions  on  combating  racism  and  antisemitism,  European  Council  Conclusion  18  December  2025, 
exchanges at Justice and Home Affairs Council (Justice) - Consilium and Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council 

1 

 
 
 
 
This  strategy  responds  first  and  foremost  to  the  imperatives  to  uphold  EU  values, 
strengthen  a  Union  of Equality,  and ensure that EU societies remain open, pluralistic and 
inclusive.  Furthermore,  combating  racism  is  a  security  interest 6  and  a  strategic 
investment in boosting the EU’s competitiveness. According to a recent OECD study racial 
or ethnic discrimination is estimated to cost the EU up to EUR 12.7 billion in lost GDP each 
year.  

Unlocking  the  potential  of  people  affected  by  racism  and  racial  discrimination  as  workers, 
entrepreneurs,  and  leaders  is  therefore  essential  for  growth  and  stability.  To  fully  achieve 
prosperous  economies  and  cohesive  societies,  the  persistent  challenge  of  racism  must  be 
confronted  head-on.  The  journey  towards  a  true  Union  of  Equality  demands  ambitious  and 
sustained action to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all. This strategy is driven by the 
objective  of  combating  racism 
including  anti-Black  racism, 
antigypsyism, antisemitism, anti-Asian racism and anti-Muslim hatred. It tackles racism 
at large, with specific actions combatting discrimination.   

its  forms, 

in  all 

Consistent  with  all  Union  of  Equality  strategies,  the  Anti-Racism  Strategy  is  based  on  an 
intersectional policy approach to address the complexity of the inequalities experienced 
by individuals who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination7. It is closely 
aligned  with  current  and  forthcoming  EU  equality  strategies,  as  well  as  other  important 
Commission initiatives8.  

This  strategy  is  based  on  the  results  of  a  broad  consultation  process 9 and  includes  both 
targeted measures and actions to mainstream anti-racism into all EU policies. In particular it 
flanks  the  work  of  the  Commission  Coordinators  on  combating  racism,  on  combating 
antisemitism  and  fostering  Jewish  life,  on  combating  anti-Muslim  hatred,  as  well  as  the 
Commission’s  work  on  Roma  equality,  inclusion  and  participation,  on  the  protection  of 
fundamental  rights  and  on  combating  hate  offences.  The  strategy  further  aligns  with  the 
findings  of  the  European  Citizens’  Panel  on  Combating  Hatred  in  Society  that  made 
recommendations aimed at combating hatred in all its forms and fostering mutual respect. 

6 Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union,  Art  67(3):  The  Union  shall  endeavour  to  ensure  a  high  level  of  security  through 
measures to prevent and combat crime, racism and xenophobia […]. 
7 Discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin may intersect with discrimination related to other characteristics or identities, such as sex, 
disability, age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background/status, compounding disadvantages. Anti-
migrant hatred also frequently intersects with and reinforces racism. 
8 Including  on Roma people, on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, on gender equality, on LGBTIQ+ equality, on rights of 
persons with disabilities, on Combating Anti-Muslim hatred, on combating hatred, on  integration and inclusion, on the rights of the child  as 
well as on affordable housing, quality jobs, anti-poverty, civil society. 
9 Have your say: Anti-racism Strategy Call for evidence and Public consultation. Young people and youth civil society were consulted in the 
framework of the Commission Youth Check process. 

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CHAPTER I – TACKLING STRUCTURAL RACISM 

Understanding structural racism to tackle it effectively 

Racism  is  defined  as  ‘belief  that  a  ground  such  as  “race” 10,  colour,  language,  religion, 
nationality or national or ethnic origin justifies contempt for a person or a group of persons, 
or  the  notion  of  superiority  of  a  person  or  a  group  of  persons’  by  the  Council  of  Europe’s 
European  Commission  against  Racism  and  Intolerance  (ECRI).  For  people  affected  by 
racism,  the  effects  of  such  contempt  are  often  experienced  when  searching  for  housing, 
looking for a job, at work and in access to education11. It may lead to discrimination based on 
racial or ethnic origin.  

Racism experienced over a lifetime accumulates and poses barriers. This persistent form 
of  racism  is  often  referred  to  as  ‘structural  racism’.  Its  impact  can  be  more  harmful  than 
isolated instances of racial discrimination, as it denies access to equal opportunities and can 
persist  through  generations 12 .  Studies  from  the  EU  Fundamental  Rights  Agency  (FRA) 
outline  the  barriers  and  their  impact  on  the  lives  of  people  affected  by  racism  and  racial 
discrimination13. For instance, the life expectancy of Roma/Traveller women and men in the 
EU  is,  respectively,  7.4  and  8  years  shorter  than  those  of  women  and  men  in  the  general 
population. Further, while most people of African descent in the EU are in paid work (71%), 
almost half of them (46%) are overqualified for their job. Also, Muslim households in the EU 
are three times more likely to face severe material deprivation (19%) than households in the 
general population (6%). Racism can be a significant factor contributing to such inequalities.  

This  is  being  addressed  by  Member  States  in  the  context  of  their  work  at  national  level 
against racism. In this context, the Commission proposes to facilitate the development by 
Member States of a working definition of structural racism, in the expert group on the 
national implementation of the EU anti-racism action plan14.  

In  line  with  the  EU  strategy  on  Combating  antisemitism  and  fostering  Jewish  Life,  the 
Commission and all Member States are committed to tackling all forms of antisemitism and 
denounces each form equally. The Commission and all Member States use the definition of 
antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)15.  

In line with the EU Roma Strategic Framework for equality, inclusion and participation the 
Commission  and  all  Member  States  are  committed  to  implementing  effective  policies  to 
achieve  the  targets  set  in  combatting  antigypsyism,  and  in  improving  the  socio-economic 
inclusion and participation of Roma people.  

To address  anti-Muslim  hatred in the EU, the Commission will conduct a comprehensive 
study  of  how  this  manifests  itself  and  will  propose  actions  to  tackle  it,  as  well  as  facilitate 
Member States’ and experts’ efforts to develop a working definition of anti-Muslim hatred to 
improve shared understanding and raise awareness. 

10 Reference  to  ‘racial  and  ethnic  origin’  is  made  in  line  with  EU  and  international  legal  terminology.  The  Commission  emphasises, 
however, the common understanding that ‘races’ are purely based on socially constructed ideas and it rejects the notion of biological ‘races’.  
11 FRA 2023: Being Black in the European Union 
12 OECD 2025: Monitoring and Assessing the Impact of National Action Plans Against Racism 
13 FRA 2025: Rights of Roma and Travellers in 13 European Countries,  FRA 2023: Being Black in the European Union,  FRA 2024: Being 
Muslim in the European Union 
14 Consisting of experts from Member States and observers i.e. EU Fundamental Rights Agency, Council of Europe’s European Commission 
Against Racism, Norway. This expert group is a Subgroup under the  High-level Group on combating hate crime and hate speech and the 
High-level Group on non-discrimination, equality, and diversity. 
15 IHRA definition of antisemitism can be retrieved at https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism. 

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Remembrance, education, and awareness-raising 

Remembrance plays a key role in combating structural racism, empowering people impacted 
by racism, and raising awareness of exclusion and stereotypes. EU institutions support the 
observance of commemorative days related to racism and the history of groups impacted by 
racism  and  racial  discrimination 16 .  The  Commission  will  continue  to  support  projects 
exploring the legacy of Europe’s global history, including of colonialism, and its impact on 
societies, for instance under the CERV programme.  

Slavery17, genocides and the Holocaust are embedded in European history and have profound 
consequences  for  societies  today,  where  education  and  historical  knowledge  are  needed  to 
understand  the  roots  of  racism.  Building  on  work  addressing  racism  and  antisemitism  in 
education, jointly undertaken with UNESCO18, the Commission will launch in 2026 a joint 
project with  UNESCO  to strengthen anti-racism education aligned with the priorities of 
the European Education  Area strategic  framework,  and the EU  Youth Strategy.  The  aim of 
the project will be to promote anti-racism education at national level, through the educational 
dimension of national action plans against racism and antisemitism.  

The role of the media is crucial in shaping the portrayal of people who may be impacted by 
racism.  The  Commission  will  organise  a  cycle  of  seminars  dedicated  to  countering 
racism  in  the  media,  including  social  media,  bringing  together  journalists,  CSOs  and 
representatives  of  communities  impacted  by  racism.  The  Commission  will  also  launch  an 
EU-wide  communication  campaign  on  the  Union  of  Equality  to  engage  the  public,  in 
promoting inclusion and combating discrimination.  

Knowledge building and evidence-based policymaking 

Academic research plays a crucial role in countering racism by providing the evidence base 
needed for effective anti-racism policies. The European Research Area Policy Agenda 2025-
2027  aims  to  make  the  European  research  and  innovation  system  more  inclusive.  The 
Commission  will  develop  guidelines  on  implementing  an  intersectional  approach  in 
research  and  innovation  policy  to  ensure  that  research  is  sensitive  to  the  needs  of  people 
affected by racism. Furthermore, the European Universities alliances are working to develop 
strategies and initiatives to foster diversity and inclusion19. 

The Commission’s Joint Research Centre will carry out a study on the role of social media in 
the  forming  of  young  people’s  attitudes  to  ethnic  diversity  and  will  launch  a  foresight 
exercise to understand possible future trends, including how racism and racial discrimination 
might continue to impact the EU and the development of effective countermeasures. 

Programmes  such  as  Horizon  Europe  will  continue  to  support  projects  promoting  social 
cohesion,  equality,  and  inclusion,  and  in  particular  its  Marie  Skłodowska-Curie  Actions 
which will continue to encourage diversity and inclusion within the research community. In 
parallel, the Commission encourages Member States and higher education institutions to 
integrate  anti-racism  education  and  research  into  higher  education, fostering  inclusive 
mindsets and equipping future professionals with the skills to recognise and address  racism 
and discrimination in their respective fields.  

16 E.g. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, European Day Commemorating the Abolition of the Slave Trade, 
International Holocaust Remembrance Day, European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. 
17 Declaration of the EU-CELAC Summit 2023 
18 Addressing Antisemitism through education 
19 Report on the Outcomes and transformational potential of the European University Initiative 

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Improving the collection of equality data  

Reliable  equality  data  is  essential  for  addressing  racism  and  effectively  integrating  anti-
racism considerations into EU, national, regional and local policies. Eurostat’s equality  and 
non-discrimination  statistics  task  force  is  developing  EU-level  guidelines  to  improve  the 
comparability  of  statistical  standards  and  methods  for  collecting  data  on  groups  at  risk  of 
discrimination. In this context, Member  States  are  encouraged  to  enhance  the  collection 
and coordination of harmonised equality data through their national statistical offices.    

The  subgroup  on  Equality  Data  of  the  EU  High-Level  Group  on  Non-Discrimination  helps 
Member  States  improve  the  collection  and  use  of  equality  data 20.  The  Commission  will 
continue to work with EU agencies, such as the FRA, the European Foundation for the 
Improvement  of  Living  and  Working  Conditions,  and  the  European  Institute  for 
Gender  Equality,  to  provide  technical  assistance  in  the  collection  of  equality  data, 
including on intersectional discrimination.  

The Commission will also prepare a recommendation to improve the collection, analysis 
and use of disaggregated equality data, in line with national legal frameworks and taking 
any additional administrative burden into account. The Commission will further develop tools 
to track and monitor progress for achieving a Union of Equality and in implementing equality 
strategies,  including  through  data  on  discrimination  based  on  racial  and  ethnic  origin.  The 
Commission  will  organise a  High-Level  European Round Table on Equality  Data, bringing 
together key stakeholders to  further promote the collection and use of equality  data,  in  line 
with national legal frameworks. 

The  FRA  will  conduct  a  fourth  survey  on  immigrants  and  descendants  of  immigrants  to 
extract comprehensive data on persons at risk of racial discrimination, as well as a survey on 
the  situation  of  Roma,  supporting  the  work  on  the  strategy  and  the  EU  Roma  Strategic 
Framework.  To  boost  data  collection,  the  Commission  will  also  publish  a  new 
Eurobarometer on discrimination in 2027. 

The Commission will:  

• 
implement a joint project with UNESCO to strengthen anti-racism education; 
•  carry out a comprehensive study of the manifestations of anti-Muslim hatred; 
• 

launch a broad Union of Equality communication campaign, engaging  people across the 
EU to promote inclusion and combat discrimination;  

•  develop  guidelines  on  implementing  an  intersectional  approach  in  research  and 
innovation policy, with the aim that research is sensitive to the needs of people affected 
by racism; 

•  prepare a recommendation to improve the collection, analysis, and use of  disaggregated 

equality data, in line with national legal frameworks;  
•  publish a new Eurobarometer on discrimination in 2027. 

Member States are encouraged to: 
• 
• 

support the integration of anti-racism education and research in higher education;  
improve the collection of harmonised equality data through national statistical offices. 

20 See Guidance Note on the collection and use of equality data based on racial or ethnic origin. 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAPTER  II  –  ENFORCING  ANTI-DISCRIMINATION  LEGISLATION  AND 
STEPPING UP PROTECTION AGAINST RACIAL HATRED 

➢  Over half of people in the EU say discrimination on the basis of being Roma (65%), skin 

colour (61%), and ethnic origin (60%)21 is widespread. 

➢  96%  of  Jews  say  they  had  faced  antisemitism  in  the  past  year  and  80%  feel  that  it  has 

been getting worse in recent years22.  

➢  Almost half of people of African descent in the EU face racism in their daily lives23. 

Racism may lead to discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin. Protection against racial 
or ethnic discrimination is enshrined in the  Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European 
Union and in EU anti-discrimination law. ‘Discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin’, 
which occurs when persons, based on their racial or ethnic origin are treated less favourably 
or put at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons, is prohibited by the Racial 
Equality  Directive. The  Directives  on  Standards for Equality  Bodies were adopted to  better 
enforce anti-discrimination rules.   

With  regard  to  criminal  offences,  a  key  piece  of  legislation  is  the  Framework  Decision  on 
combating  certain  forms  and  expressions  of  racism  and  xenophobia  by  means  of  criminal 
law. Certain serious manifestations of racism and xenophobia24 must constitute an offence in 
all EU countries and be punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties. 

Everyone in the EU should be able to enjoy their rights fully and equally. However, incidents 
of racial discrimination and racist harassment and violence occur and often go unreported25. 
Enforcement  of  the  relevant  EU  laws  and  national  legal  frameworks  must  be 
strengthened to prevent this. Protection against racist hatred must also be ensured, including 
online, through coordinated actions by the judiciary, police and prosecutors.  

Strengthening the enforcement of EU anti-discrimination legislation 

A Commission priority is to ensure that the EU’s robust anti-discrimination legal framework 
is applied effectively so that equality is achieved across all Member States.  

Evidence  shows  that  effective  sanctions  against  discrimination26 are  crucial  mechanisms  to 
tackle  barriers  to  employment,  social  protection,  education,  and  the  supply  of  goods  and 
services,  including  housing.  In  this  vein,  the  Commission  report  in  2026  on  the  Racial 
Equality  Directive  will  analyse  application  in  Member  States  and  serve  as  a  basis  to 
consider how to strengthen their national sanction regimes.  

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly informs the decisions  and policy directions, it is 
crucial to capitalise on its potential as well as to mitigate risks of perpetuating racial bias. The 
Commission  report  on  the  application  of  the  Racial  Equality  Directive  will  analyse  the 
application of anti-discrimination laws to cases of algorithmic discrimination.  

The AI Act prohibits certain  particularly harmful  AI practices  which  are incompatible with 
EU  values  (e.g.  manipulative  AI  systems  incentivising  hatred  or  violence  against  protected 

21 Eurobarometer 2023: Discrimination in the European Union 
22 FRA 2024: Jewish People‘s Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism 
23 FRA 2023: Being Black in the European Union 
24 For instance: public incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined on the basis 
of race, colour, descent, religion or belief, or national or ethnic origin. 
25 FRA reports: Addressing Racism in Policing; Being Muslim in the EU; Jewish People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism 
26 Study on sanctions for discrimination on racial-ethnic-religious grounds 

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groups  or  AI  systems  inferring  racial  origin  from  biometric  data).  The  Commission  will 
provide guidelines and other support tools to effectively  implement  the  AI Act,  concerning 
the  prohibitions  and  the  requirements  for  high-risk  AI  systems.  The  Commission  will 
continue to facilitate exchanges on the impact of AI on people at risk of racial discrimination, 
and  support  Member  States  in  enforcing  and  implementing  EU  law  to  prevent  and  redress 
potentially discriminatory AI facilitated decisions.  

The  Directives  on  Standards  for  Equality  Bodies  establishes  clear  and  binding  standards  to 
guarantee  their  independence  and  effectiveness.  The  Commission  will  adopt  implementing 
acts  to  establish  indicators  on  the  functioning  of  equality  bodies  and  will  monitor  the 
effective transposition of both directives into national legislation by June 2026. 

The  Directive  on  combating  violence  against  women  and  domestic  violence  acknowledges 
that victims of intersectional discrimination, including women with a minority racial or ethnic 
background, may face a higher risk of gender-based violence. Supporting Member States in 
the process of transposition, the Commission will pay attention to the challenges faced by 
victims who face intersectional discrimination due to their racial or ethnic background. 

Protecting people from hate crime and hate speech 

Protecting  people  from  hate  crime  and  hate  speech  is  at  the  heart  of  the  EU’s  anti-racism 
agenda.  The  Commission  has  launched  infringement  proceedings  to  secure  the  full  and 
correct transposition of the Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia27. The 
Commission  will  continue  to  monitor  transposition  and  support  the  exchange  of  good 
practices  in  the High-Level  Group  on  combating  hate  crime  and  hate  speech.  The 
Commission  encourages  Member  States  to  improve  data  collection  on  hate  crime,  and  to 
expand training for judicial authorities and police on hate offences, including on racial bias. 

To  strengthen  the  EU's  criminal  law  framework  against  hate  offences,  the  Commission 
proposed a Council  Decision  adding hate speech  and hate crime to  the list  of ‘EU crimes’. 
This  decision  would  enable  the  Commission,  in  a  second  stage,  to  strengthen  the  legal 
framework  on  tackling  hate  speech  and  hate  crime.  Given  the  absence  of  progress,  the 
Commission  is  considering  a  legislative  initiative  based  on  the  existing  areas  of  crime 
covered  by  Article  83(1)  TFEU  to  harmonise  definitions  of  online  hate  offences.  This 
would respond to a recommendations of the Citizens Panel on tackling hatred in society. 

The  Commission  is  also  helping  to  improve  responses  to  incidents  of  hate  crime  and  hate 
speech,  by  supporting  the  authorities  in  Member  States  responsible  for  safeguarding  public 
spaces, including places of worship, in line with the Protect EU internal security strategy. 

Victims  of  racist  hate  crimes  show  trust  deficits,  that  require  support  and  empowerment 
measures to tackle underreporting and to ensure legal redress. The European Parliament and 
the Council reached a political agreement on the proposal for the revision of the Victims’ 
Rights Directive28. It will further strengthen victims’ rights, including for those targeted by 
racially  motivated  hate  crimes,  with  easier  crime  reporting,  better  assessment  of  victims’ 
needs, and improved psychological support and physical protection. Further, the Commission 
will adopt a revised EU Strategy on Victims’ Rights. 

27 Infringement cases in the EU 
28 Victims' rights in the EU - European Commission, Commission welcomes agreement on stronger EU rules ensuring victims' rights 

7 

 
 
 
 
The risk of online hatred is equally often a reality for racial or ethnic minorities. The Digital 
Services  Act  (DSA)  requires  digital  services  to  tackle  illegal  content  and  safeguard 
fundamental  rights  through  robust  'notice  and  action'  mechanisms,  and  thorough  risk 
assessment and mitigation obligations. The Commission will continue to monitor and enforce 
the  DSA  and,  together  with  the  Digital  Services  Board  and  relevant  stakeholders,  regularly 
monitor  and  support  the  implementation  of  the  voluntary  Code  of  Conduct  on 
countering illegal hate speech online+.  

As  part  of  the  Digital  Education  Action  Plan,  the  updated  Guidelines  for  teachers  and 
educators  on  tackling  disinformation  and  promoting  digital  literacy  will  provide  practical 
guidance  on  how  best  to  foster  tolerance  and  inclusion  in  the  online  world.  The 
Commission  will  also  continue  to  foster  societal  resilience  through  media  literacy  support 
actions and through working with the signatories of the Code of Conduct on Disinformation 
to improve its implementation and reduce the spread of viral disinformation including related 
to racism and online hatred. 

In  parallel,  the  Commission  is  addressing  hate  speech  in  sport,  working  closely  with  the 
Council  of  Europe  and  assisting  Member  States  through  the  ongoing  open  method  of 
coordination on the fight against hate speech in sport under the EU Work Plan for Sport.  

Countering racial bias in public administration 

Effective public administration is the foundation of good governance, public trust and social 
cohesion. Countering racial bias in public administrations and justice systems is essential to 
address  racism.  Cooperation  between  public  authorities  and  communities  supports  trust-
building  and  shapes  the  sense  of  common  responsibility29.  The  Commission  encourages 
Member  States  to  provide  comprehensive  training  programmes  to  help  civil  servants 
recognise and tackle racial bias, while fostering greater cultural awareness and sensitivity. 
It will continue to provide support for this purpose to national authorities, including under the 
CERV programme.  

Accountable law enforcement that ensures equal protection and fair treatment for all is a key 
pillar  of  democracy  and  the  rule  of  law.  Yet,  the  findings  of  the  FRA  report  ‘Addressing 
Racism  in  Policing’  illustrate  that  racism  in  policing  includes  discriminatory  profiling 
practices, inappropriate racist communication and excessive use of force30. The stakeholders 
consulted  for  this  strategy  underlined  the  need  for  comprehensive  training  programmes  for 
law  enforcement  authorities  and  greater  transparency  and  accountability  within  law 
enforcement agencies31. To provide further guidance to Member States, the Commission will 
compile a compendium of good practices to prevent discriminatory profiling practices.  

29 See for example: European Centre of Crime Prevention: Community-Oriented Policing in the European Union 
30 FRA – Addressing racism in policing 
31 Open Public Consultation: Anti-Racism Strategy 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Commission will:  

•  support  the  implementation  of  the  Racial  Equality  Directive,  including  by  publishing  a 
report  with  a  focus  on  its  enforcement  and  application  in  cases  of  algorithmic 
discrimination; 

•  support  the  implementation  of  the  AI  Act  to  address  risks  of  racial  biases  and 

discrimination; 

•  consider a legislative initiative to harmonise definitions of online hate offences; 
•  support  the  transposition  and  implementation  of  the  revised  Victims’  Rights  Directive, 
strengthening victims’ rights including those targeted by racially motivated hate crimes; 

•  compile a compendium of good practices to prevent discriminatory profiling practices. 

Member States are encouraged to: 

•  better  enforce  EU  legislation  on  hate  offences  and  non-discrimination,  including  by 

strengthening the sanction regimes;  

•  step up efforts to counter hate offences online, including those motivated by racism; 
•  introduce comprehensive training programmes to help civil servants recognise and tackle 

racial bias; 

•  ensure fair and evidence-based policing practices, backed by accountability measures. 

CHAPTER III – STRENGTHENING SOCIAL EQUALITY AND COHESION  

➢  More than 3 in 10 Europeans mentioned a candidate’s skin colour (39%) or ethnic origin 

(34%) as a main factor in putting job applicants at a disadvantage32. 

➢  Every second Roma/Traveller child (46 %) is educated in a school where all or most of 

the pupils are Roma/Travellers33. 

➢  40% of Muslims in the EU live in overcrowded housing, which is more than twice the rate 

for the general EU population (17%)34. 

People  impacted  by  racism  may  face  discrimination  in  fundamental  areas  of  life,  including 
education, employment, housing, healthcare, and social protection. This cumulative impact of 
racism has a negative effect on access to equal opportunities over a person’s lifetime35. This  
goes against EU values as enshrined in the Treaties and the European Pillar of Social Rights, 
which promotes  an inclusive society and a  competitive social market  economy  that secures 
jobs, fair working conditions and social protection for all. 

Inclusive education and culture as a catalyst for social equality and competitiveness 

The  Union  of  Skills  aims  to  support  education  and  training  systems  to  provide  equal 
opportunities  for  everyone,  regardless  of  their  background.  Investment  in  a  well-educated 
population  and  workforce  is  an  investment  in  the  EU’s  competitiveness,  economic  and 
inclusive growth, social and territorial cohesion.  

32 Eurobarometer 2023: Discrimination in the European Union 
33 FRA 2025 - Rights of Roma and Travellers in 13 European Countries 
34 FRA – Being Muslim in the EU 
35 OECD 2025: Monitoring and Assessing the Impact of National Action Plans Against Racism 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Education  plays  a  key  role  in  fostering  social  mobility  and  can  be  a  powerful  equaliser  of 
opportunities.  The  foundation  begins  with  acquiring  basic  skills  –  literacy,  mathematics, 
sciences, digital skills and citizenship education. Introducing citizenship education from early 
age is  key for shaping  open mindsets  of young learners to  appreciate diversity  and develop 
mutual respect, in line with core European values.  Art, culture and sport are also important 
for mobilising society against racism and promoting respect, inclusion, and equality. 

Students  belonging  to  racial  or  ethnic  minorities  can  encounter  segregation  and  barriers  in 
accessing  quality  education,  with  a  negative  impact  on  their  educational  success  and 
transition  into  the  labour  market36.  That  is  why  equity  and  inclusion  are  at  the  heart  of  the 
European  Education  Area  strategic 
inclusive  educational 
framework, 
environments  that  capitalise  on  diversity  to  harness  Europe’s  talent  and  strengthen  labour 
markets.  The  European  teachers  and  trainers  agenda  will  address  teacher  training  and 
professional  development  on  diversity  and  inclusion,  as  well  as  promoting  diversity  in  the 
teaching profession itself. 

to  promote 

The Commission will continue to support Member States’ inclusive education reforms and to 
promote  equity  and  inclusion.  Programmes  like  Erasmus+,  European  Social  Fund  Plus 
(ESF+)  and  Horizon  Europe  bolster  these  efforts  by  promoting  equal  access  to  quality  and 
inclusive  education,  funding  teacher  training,  school  cooperation,  learning  mobility 
projects, and research focused on inclusive education.  

Fighting racism through inclusive employment, housing and health policies 

In the area of employment, racism and racial discrimination hinder equality. Applicants with 
names perceived as foreign often face obstacles in accessing the labour market 37, resulting in 
lower  levels  of  economic  security.  The  Action  Plan  on  Integration  and  Inclusion  aims  to 
support the sustainable labour market integration of migrants and EU citizens with a migrant 
background, encouraging Member States to raise awareness of discrimination in recruitment 
and in the workplace, and to reinforce anti-discrimination measures. Increased labour market 
integration  is  also  an  important  policy  lever  to  address  labour  market  shortages  and  skills 
needs to boost the EU’s competitiveness. 

The  Commission  is  committed  to  promoting  diversity  in  employment  and  fostering  more 
inclusive workplaces, and will continue to work closely with the EU Platform of Diversity 
Charters  to  share  good  practices  on  diversity  and  inclusion  initiatives,  including  on  ethnic 
diversity. The Platform will also  facilitate dialogue and provide guidance, for instance, 
on inclusive hiring practices. 

Access to affordable and decent housing is key to individual and family well-being and social 
cohesion.  People  belonging  to  racial  or  ethnic  minorities  often  face  discrimination  and 
barriers in the housing market, including unequal conditions for tenants or buyers, hurdles in 
access  to  loans.  They  disproportionally  experience  overcrowding,  poor  living  conditions, 
homelessness  and  segregation 38.  These  challenges  can  be  more  pronounced  in  rural  and 
remote areas, with limited housing options39 and limited public services.  

36 New issue paper: Tackling prejudice and discrimination in and through education and training | European Education Area 
37 Susanne Veit, et.al. In your face: a comparative field experiment on racial discrimination in Europe, Socio-Economic Review 
38 OECD 2025: Monitoring and Assessing the Impact of National Action Plans Against Racism  
39 Highlights Report | Good Practice Webinar: ‘Rural Housing’ | Rural Pact Community Platform 

10 

 
 
 
 
To  better  understand  how  discrimination  creates  barriers  to  affordable  housing,  the 
Commission  will  publish  a  study  on  discrimination  in  the  area  of  housing,  including 
analysis of existing national and local practices. As a deliverable of the European Affordable 
Housing Plan  and in the context of the forthcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy, the Commission 
will put forward a proposal for a Council recommendation on fighting housing exclusion 
to  support  vulnerable  persons  in  precarious  housing  situations  and  to  prevent  and  address 
homelessness.  

The Urban Agenda for the EU, an intergovernmental initiative bringing together actors from 
all levels of governance, and the EU Agenda for Cities, aim to promote inclusive and diverse 
neighbourhoods,  and  reduce  social  and  territorial  disparities.  In  addition,  funding  from  the 
European  Regional  Development  Fund  and  the  ESF+  can  play  a  central  role  in  improving 
access  to  quality  housing  and  basic  services  for  groups  at  risk  of  discrimination  and  in 
developing desegregation measures40.  

Healthcare disparities are another key challenge in the fight against racism. People affected 
by racism often report poorer health outcomes and a lack of access to quality care. Particular 
attention should be paid to the gender dimension, as migrant women have worse outcomes in 
diabetes,  mental  health,  sexual  and  reproductive  health,  and  report  that  they  face  greater 
discrimination by healthcare professionals than male migrants41.  

The Commission encourages Member States to tackle racial discrimination in health42 and to 
shape  equitable  health  policies,  by  engaging  with  communities  to  co-design  healthcare 
services.  An  EU  support  package  tackling  stigma  was  presented  in  2024  and  under  the 
EU4Health  programme  the  Commission  will  continue  to  support  Member  States  in 
implementing  health  policies  that  address  racial  bias,  including  by  improving  the 
collection of equality data, in line with national legal frameworks.   

Embedding anti-racism in social protection and rewarding local actions 

Social  protection  systems  must  provide  effective  support  to  all  individuals.  It  is  equally 
important  in  areas  where  people  with  a  minority  racial  or  ethnic  background  may  face 
additional barriers to  accessing social services and opportunities due to  remoteness,  lack of 
infrastructure or fewer service providers43. 

To  promote  an  inclusive  approach  to  social  protection,  the  Commission  encourages 
Member  States  to  consider  the  situation  of  racial  or  ethnic  minorities  when  designing 
and  implementing  policies  addressing  social  exclusion.  Further,  the  first  EU  Anti-Poverty 
Strategy will seek to address the root causes of poverty and exclusion and strengthen support 
services, regardless of geographical location. 

Moreover,  the  Commission  encourages  Member  States  to  deliver  on  the  Council 
Recommendation  on  the  European  Child  Guarantee,  taking  into  account,  wherever 
appropriate,  specific  disadvantages  experienced  by  children  with  a  migrant  background  or 
minority  ethnic  origin,  and  to  deliver  on  the  Council  Recommendation  on  Adequate 
Minimum Income.    

40 Toolkit "Social housing and beyond" 
41 Gender equality and health in the EU:  https://www.saage-network.eu/sites/default/files/media/publication/DS0320880ENN-en.pdf  
42 WHO: Tackling structural racism and ethnicity based discrimination in health 
43 European Commission Communication A long-term vision for EU’s rural areas 

11 

 
 
 
 
The  Commission  will  continue  to  promote  diversity  and  inclusion  initiatives,  such  as  the 
European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, which gives visibility to good practices 
of  local  authorities  for  diverse  and  inclusive  environments.  To  further  prompt  EU  cities  to 
combat  racism,  the  Commission  will  designate  a  category  to  champion  anti-racism 
policies. It will complement the EU Diversity Month, celebrated each May to raise awareness 
of  the  benefits  of  inclusive  environments  and  workplaces,  encouraging  all  types  of 
organisations to take concrete action to foster diversity.  

The Commission will: 

• 

 present  a  European  teachers  and  trainers  agenda,  support  school  cooperation  and 
learning mobility projects, as well as research focused on inclusive education;  

•  support  Member  States’  measures  for  inclusive  employment,  education,  culture  and 

sport; 

•  conduct  a  study  on  the  housing  situation  of  groups  at  risk  of  discrimination  and  put 

forward a Council recommendation on fighting housing exclusion; 

•  support  Member  States  in  implementing  health  policies  that  eliminate  racial  bias, 
including  by  improved  collection  of  health  equality  data,  in  line  with  national  legal 
frameworks. 

Member States are encouraged to: 

•  put  forward  policy  initiatives  that  improve  access  to  education  and  training  and 

employment opportunities for marginalised people; 

•  consider  racism  as  a  general  determinant  of  a  person’s  overall  state  of  health  and  to 

shape healthcare policies accordingly; 

•  consider the situation of racial or ethnic minorities when designing and implementing 

policies to address social exclusion. 

CHAPTER IV – FOSTERING KEY PARTNERSHIPS 

Achieving a truly inclusive and fair EU requires a whole-of-society approach and the active 
engagement  and  cooperation  of  all  stakeholders:  Member  States,  EU  institutions  and 
agencies, CSOs, international partners, regional and local authorities, the private sector, and 
communities  affected  by  racism.  The  Commission  will  consolidate  its  cooperation  with 
stakeholders and ensure that diverse voices are included in the policymaking process. 

Coordinating the fight against racism at EU level 

The European Commission’s Coordinator on combating racism will continue playing a 
central role in the work on combating all forms of racism, facilitating structured dialogues 
with  communities  impacted  by  racism,  thereby  enhancing  democratic  legitimacy  and 
safeguarding fundamental rights. The Coordinator will work closely with the Coordinator on 
combating  anti-Muslim  hatred,  the  Coordinator  on  combating  antisemitism  and  fostering 
Jewish life, the Coordinator for victims’ rights, as well as the EU Youth Coordinator.  

Addressing  racism  effectively  requires  the  meaningful  participation  of  CSOs  that  represent 
those  most  affected.  The  Commission  will  renew  the  Anti-Racism  Civil  Society  Forum 
through a call for expressions of interest and develop an annual work programme to guide 
the  Forum’s  activities.  This  will  be  an  opportunity  to  diversify  the  Forum’s  membership, 
incorporating new perspectives and expertise from national and local organisations.  

12 

 
 
 
Beyond the on-going policy dialogue on anti-racism with CSOs, the Commission recognises 
the crucial role played by CSOs and the need to strengthen civil space, as highlighted in the 
EU  Strategy  for  Civil  Society,  in  a  context  where  CSOs  fighting  racism  increasingly  face 
disinformation  campaigns  and  regularly  pressure.  As  announced  therein,  the  Commission 
will  set  up  a  broader  Civil  Society  Platform,  which  will  provide  a  regular  and 
structured  framework  for  dialogue  on  protecting  and  promoting  EU  values.  This  will 
enhance the resilience of CSOs, including organisations dedicated to combating racism. 

To  ensure  all  EU  policies  contribute  to  the  fight  against  racism,  the  Commission  will  also 
continue to consider racism as part of its work on equality mainstreaming. These efforts are 
led  by  the  Commissioner  for  Equality  and  supported  by  equality  contact  points  in  cabinets 
and  a  Task  Force  on  Equality,  which  brings  together  equality  coordinators  from  all 
Directorates-General. 

Promoting anti-racism at the global level  

The  EU’s  anti-racism  policies  are  deeply  embedded  in  the  international  human  rights 
framework.  The  EU  will  continue  to  advocate  for  the  universal  ratification  of  the 
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) 
to  which  all  EU  Member  States  are  party,  and  will  support  the  Durban  Declaration  and 
Programme  of  Action  (DDPA),  the  UN’s  global  framework  to  combat  racism.  These 
commitments  are  reinforced  by  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  (ECHR)  and  the 
Council  of  Europe’s  European  Commission  against  Racism  and  Intolerance  (ECRI),  which 
provides  important  policy  recommendations  and  country-specific  reporting.  The  EU 
continues  to  assume  a  global  leadership  role  by  backing  international  initiatives44 using  all 
the tools at its disposal under the Common Foreign and Security Policy.  

It  is  envisaged  that  an  international  roundtable  will  be  set  up  to  deepen  cooperation 
with relevant UN, Council of Europe, and other multilateral bodies. This should include 
regular  discussions  on  the  implementation  of  ICERD’s  and  ECRI’s  recommendations  and 
closer collaboration with the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism.  

The  EU  will  continue  to  use  its  diplomacy  and  human-rights  tools  at  bilateral  and 
multilateral level to promote its anti-racism and anti-discrimination policies, including with 
strategic  partners  in  the  framework  of  human  rights  dialogues,  ministerial  meetings  and 
summits. Through the Pact for the Mediterranean, the EU will enhance educational, cultural 
and sports cooperation with partner countries, fostering mutual understanding and inclusion. 
At bilateral level the EU will continue implementing its Guidelines on Non-discrimination in 
External Action and other guidelines on human rights. 

There will also  be close work with  Commission Representations  in  Member States and EU 
Delegations in third countries to advance anti-racism globally. 

The EU remains committed to supporting human rights defenders and CSOs globally, notably 
in the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy, in particular for those defending the 
rights  of  indigenous  peoples,  minorities,  and  marginalised  groups  facing  racial  or  ethnic 
discrimination.  Moreover,  the  EU  will  remain  engaged  in  the  analysis  and  countering  of 
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference activities which diffuse racist and hatred 
messages. 

44 such as the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, the UNESCO Global Alliance Against Racism and Discrimination 

13 

 
 
 
In its election observation missions, the EU will continue to monitor to what extent racial or 
ethnic  minorities  such  as  national  minority  populations  and  indigenous  peoples  enjoy  the 
right and opportunity to participate in public affairs and elections on an equal basis45.  

With  regard  to  candidate  countries  and  potential  candidates  for  EU  accession,  the  EU  will 
continue  to  promote  their  progressive  alignment  with  EU  legislation  on  preventing  and 
combating racism and racial discrimination. The Commission’s annual enlargement package 
will  continue  to  monitor  the  human  rights  situation  and  the  implementation  of  non-
discrimination and measures combating racism, xenophobia, hate crime and hate speech.  

The  Coordinator  on  combating  anti-Muslim  hatred  will  organise  a  Coordination 
Group,  bringing  together  Member  States,  the  EU  institutions,  international  organisations, 
partner countries and CSOs46 to discuss how to best to tackle anti-Muslim hatred. 

Tackling racism at the national level 

Efforts  to  tackle  racism  must  be  addressed  first  and  foremost  at  the  national,  regional  and 
local  level.  The  Commission  will  support  Member  States  through  mutual  learning 
workshops  designed to coordinate  national  policies with  this strategy. The Commission 
will update and strengthen the mandate of the group for the national implementation of 
the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan47, encouraging all Member States to actively engage in it 
and  invite  candidate  countries  for  EU  accession  to  join.  Through  the  expert  group,  the 
Commission will facilitate exchanges on good practices and host expert discussions48. 

The Commission encourages all Member States to develop national action plans against 
racism  and  will  support  them  in  developing  and  implementing  such  action  plans  via  the 
CERV  programme.  The  Commission  also  encourages  the  development  of  local  anti-
racism  action  plans  in  regions,  cities,  schools  and  community  centres49. Some Member 
States  have  appointed  national  coordinators  with  responsibility  for  anti-racism  and 
coordinators  combating  anti-Muslim  hatred  and  antisemitism  to  further  strengthen  their 
national commitment and accountability. The Commission encourages  all Member States to 
follow a similar approach. 

Supporting anti-racism and anti- discrimination initiatives 

The Commission is committed to supporting CSOs, grassroots activism and advocacy against 
racism, especially since their funding is increasingly being reduced50. This is done primarily 
through  the  CERV  programme.  Equality  and  non-discrimination  are  also  addressed  in  the 
Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034. As part of 
the new AgoraEU programme, the Commission has proposed a budget of EUR 3.6 billion for 
the Democracy, Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV+) strand, more than doubling 
the budget of the CERV programme. 

The  Commission  verifies  that  beneficiaries  of  EU  funding  respect  EU  values  in  the 
implementation  of projects  financed by the  Union budget, in  accordance  with  the Financial 
Regulation. The  Commission conducts  rigorous checks  before awarding grants.  These rules 
are  enforced  through  the  Early  Detection  and  Exclusion  System  (EDES).  The  Commission 

45 Reports 2023-2025 of election observation missions EU Election Observation Missions | EEAS 
46 Press release - Coordination Meeting on Combating Anti-Muslim hatred | European Commission 
47 Subgroup of High-level group on non-discrimination, equality, diversity and High-level group on combatting hate speech ad hate crime. 
48 Such as the Common guiding principles for national action plans against racism and racial discrimination 
49 Common Guiding Principles for the Development of National Action Plans against Racism 
50  European Policy Centre 2025: Securing Europe‘s civic space; FRA 2024: Summary of key findings from FRA‘s civic space consultation 
covering 2024; Civil Society Europe 2025: Contribution to the 2025 Annual Rule of Law Report 

14 

 
 
 
will  continue  to  explore  the  best  way  of  making  full  use  of  the  toolbox,  including  when 
selecting potential beneficiaries. 

In granting EU funding, the Commission will continue to ensure that Member States fulfil the 
Horizontal  Enabling  Conditions  on  the  effective  implementation  and  application  of  the 
Charter of Fundamental Rights, as regulated by the Common Provisions Regulation. Member 
States must have effective mechanisms in place to ensure that fundamental rights enshrined 
in the Charter are respected in the implementation of the Cohesion policy programmes.  

Under the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, the Commission proposes that 
the  National  and  Regional  Partnership  Plans  incorporate  robust  safeguards  to  ensure 
compliance  with  the  Rule  of  Law  and  the  effective  application  of  the  EU  Charter  of 
Fundamental Rights. The Member States and the Commission will need to take appropriate 
steps  to  prevent  any  discrimination  based  on  racial  or  ethnic  origin  during  the  preparation, 
implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the Plans.  

The Commission will: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

renew the Anti-Racism Civil Society Forum and develop an annual work programme to 
guide its activities; 
organise  workshops  with  Member  States  to  support  national  efforts  to  tackle  racism  at 
national/regional level; 
update and strengthen the mandate for the expert group for the national implementation 
of the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan, and invite EU candidate countries to join; 
prepare the setting up of an international roundtable to deepen cooperation with relevant 
UN, Council of Europe, and other multilateral bodies; 
provide  support  through  relevant  EU  spending  instruments  to  support  projects  and 
organisations combating racism and racial discrimination. 

Member States are encouraged to: 

• 

• 

develop  national  action  plans  against  racism  and  appoint  national  anti-racism 
coordinators; 
support the development of local anti-racism action plans in regions, cities, schools and 
community centres. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
CHAPTER V – LEADING BY EXAMPLE 

Promoting  diversity  and  inclusion  is  essential  to  ensuring  an  equitable  and  effective 
workplace, as well as to attract talent. When staff members feel represented across all levels, 
including in leadership positions, it strengthens their sense of belonging and confidence. The 
Commission  remains  committed  to  upholding  a  zero-tolerance  policy  toward  all  forms  of 
discriminatory behaviour. 

Promoting diversity in recruitment at the European Commission 

Europe’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity should be reflected in the EU institutions. In 
its  Human  Resources  (HR)  strategy,  the  Commission  committed  to  ‘lead  by  example  in 
inclusiveness and diversity’51 to better reflect the diversity of European society. Building on 
the  results  of  the  survey  on  diversity,  inclusion  and  respect  at  the  workplace,  the  Diversity 
and Inclusion in the workplace Action Plan (2023-2024) provided the framework to deliver 
on  the  strategy’s  commitments,  with  targeted  actions  for  a  zero-tolerance  approach  to  any 
type or form of discrimination, including on the ground of racial or ethnic origin. In 2025, the 
survey  was  repeated  and  its  findings  will  support  an  updated  Action  Plan  to  increase 
diversity through outreach actions and revised recruitment guidelines.  

Targeted recruitment strategies aim to increase the visibility and accessibility of EU careers 
for  underrepresented  groups.  The  European  Personnel  Selection  Office  (EPSO)  has 
implemented  targeted  outreach  strategies  to  attract  candidates  from  all  ethnic 
backgrounds, for instance through diversity fairs, or partnerships with civil society and 
community  organisations.  Data  on  diversity  has  been  collected  through  anonymous  and 
voluntary  surveys  of  former  candidates  of  EPSO’s  competitions  to  identify  and  tackle  any 
issues that reduce the diversity of the pool of candidates.  

Regarding the Blue Book Traineeship Programme, the Commission has applied a specific 
diversity  and  inclusion  strategy,  through  targeted  promotional  materials  to  increase  the 
diversity  of  candidates  (for  instance  on  social  media).  Additionally,  the  Commission  is 
revising  the  Decision  on  the  rules  governing  the  traineeship  scheme,  and  is  considering 
opening  up  the  traineeship  to  candidates  who  completed  vocational  education  and  training, 
and to implement some positive actions for underrepresented groups.    

To  support  evidence-based  policymaking,  also  regarding  its  own  human  resources,  the 
Commission  will  continue  collecting  equality  data  in  the  workplace  on  a  voluntary, 
anonymised, and rights-compliant basis. 

Improving capacity building 

The Commission continues to provide and encourage training, mentoring and coaching 
programmes for all its staff, including managers. Training on unconscious bias and ethical 
behaviour  are  complemented  by  modules  on  racial  bias  and  microaggression.  These 
initiatives  aim  to  enhance  awareness,  reduce  discriminatory  behaviours,  and  strengthen  the 
Commission’s capacity to address racism.  

As  part  of  its  efforts,  the  Commission  updated  its  anti-harassment  framework  to  better 
address all forms of discrimination in the workplace, applicable to racism related harassment 
or any other improper behaviour. Support services, including Mediation and Counselling 
Services,  the  Chief  Confidential  Counsellor  and  a  network  of  confidential  counsellors 

51 Diversity and inclusion - European Commission,  

16 

 
 
 
provide  guidance  and  assistance  to  staff  affected  by  discrimination.  To  enforce  the 
effectiveness  of  the  anti-harassment  framework,  the  Investigation  and  Disciplinary  Office 
also handles cases of racial discrimination or harassment.  

The Commission will: 

• 
• 
• 

• 

• 

update the Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace Action Plan in 2026; 
offer and encourage targeted equality training, mentoring, and coaching to all its staff; 
ensure  a  working  environment  free  from  discrimination  and  rigorously  implement  its 
zero-tolerance harassment strategy; 
continue  to  implement  targeted  outreach  strategies  to  attract  candidates  from  all  ethnic 
backgrounds; 
gathering  equality  data,  including  through  surveys  to  monitor  staff  diversity  and  their 
experiences in the workplace. 

Member States are encouraged to 

implement zero tolerance harassment policies for the public sector; 

• 
•  systematically offer anti-bias and diversity training course for all public servants. 

CONCLUSION 

This Strategy is a decisive step towards a genuine Union of Equality where everyone can live, 
lead,  and  thrive  without  being  exposed  to  racism,  be  it  anti-Black  racism,  antigypsyism, 
antisemitism,  anti-Asian  racism  or  anti-Muslim  hatred.  The  Strategy  provides  a 
comprehensive framework to combat all forms of racism, interpersonal and structural racism, 
racial  discrimination,  hate  offences  and  violence  and  puts  forward  concrete  measures  to  be 
implemented at European, national, and local level. 

In presenting this Anti-Racism Strategy, the Commission commits to combatting racism in a 
holistic manner, by mainstreaming anti-racism across EU policies and by regularly engaging 
with  stakeholders.  Achieving  progress  requires  a  united  effort  at  every  level.  European 
institutions and agencies, Member States, regional and local authorities, equality bodies, the 
private sector, and civil society need to actively engage and take concrete action.  

Racism goes against the fundamental values on which the EU is founded, and it is detrimental 
to  its  socio-economic  cohesion.  By  ensuring  that  all  individuals,  regardless  of  their 
background, have  equal  access  to  equal  opportunities in  education, employment, and social 
participation,  the  EU  maximises  the  potential  of  everyone.  Diverse  and  inclusive 
environments foster innovation, creativity, and problem-solving, which are key to economic 
growth. Additionally, promoting equality and combating racism helps to attract investments 
and  talent,  enhancing  the  EU’s  ability  to  compete  in  an  increasingly  interconnected  and 
diverse global marketplace. 

The Commission invites the European Parliament and Council to support the implementation 
of  this  Strategy.  In  addition,  the  Commission  calls  on  the  European  Committee  of  the 
Regions  and  the  European  Economic  and  Social  Committee  to  bring  together  local  and 
regional  authorities,  social  partners,  and  civil  society  to  discuss  how  to  advance  the  fight 
against racism.  

The Commission will monitor the implementation of the measures presented in this Strategy 
and report at mid-term. 

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