BilbaoThe Anti-Rumours Strategy
What is inspiring?
The Anti-Rumours Strategy (“Estrategia antiRumores”) has been developed and led by the Bilbao City Council since 2013, operating across various neighbourhoods and districts with the collaboration and commitment of civil society organisations and individuals. The so-called ‘Anti-Rumour Agents’ are individuals or groups from the local community who commit to acting within their neighbourhood to share positive narratives around migration and diversity. They work to counter harmful stereotypes and encourage critical reflection on these issues among fellow residents. This is, therefore, a strategy that seeks to influence public perception through alternative, grassroots channels, fostering a bottom-up and multiplying approach to social change.
Contact
Mr. Carlos Regidor, Head of the Coexistence and Interculturality Section of the Human Rights, Coexistence, Cooperation and Interculturality Area, Bilbao City Council, E-Mail: carlos.regidor@bilbao.eus
Ms. Claudia E. Laredo, Immigration Technician of the Human Rights, Coexistence, Cooperation and Interculturality Area, Bilbao City Council, E-Mail: claudia.emmanuel@bilbao.eus
How does it operate?
The Anti-Rumours Strategy functions through four main lines of action. The first involves establishing networks of Anti-Rumour Agents in the city's various districts. This work is carried out alongside local communities, identifying individuals active in cultural, neighbourhood, and commercial spheres. Rather than applying rigid selection criteria, agents are recognised based on their availability, motivation, and willingness to actively engage with the project. Any resident who is committed to promoting diversity and ready to play an active role can become involved. Once identified, these people or groups receive specific training to equip them for their roles as anti-rumour agents.
The remaining three lines of action focus on strengthening institutional communication; engaging specifically with young people; and delivering internal training within the public administration.
While the strategy is directly implemented by the City Council, it is also supported by various civil society organisations. The Council is additionally active at the regional level as a member of the Basque anti-Rumours Network “ZAS”, a public-private network of entities working on the Anti-Rumours Strategy with actions that complement municipal public policies.
Who initiated the project? How?
The Anti-Rumours Strategy originates from a European-level initiative coordinated by the Council of Europe since 2010. This initiative aims to build citizen-led networks that challenge negative stereotypes and clichés surrounding immigration and cultural diversity – narratives which often contribute to discrimination and tensions in social cohesion.
Bilbao City Council joined the European Anti-Rumour project “C4I-Communication for Integration”, co-funded by the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Since 2013, the City Council has been committed to developing its own local version of the strategy, with the aim of preventing and countering false rumours and stereotypes related to the city’s migrant population. This programme is also being implemented in ten other European cities, including Botkyrka (Sweden), Lublin (Poland), and Patras (Greece).
What is the outcome?
The strategy is currently active across all eight districts of Bilbao, involving more than 500 Anti-Rumour Agents. Over 100 training sessions have taken place, including workshops in schools and other educational institutions throughout the city. In total, more than 250 activities have been carried out within the district networks, ranging from seminars and basic training sessions to annual gatherings of Agents and young participants, as well as press releases, social media content, and school workshops.