Montreuil
Working towards solutions with local communities
Key Takeaways
- 1
The Municipality of Montreuil has developed an “International Exchange and Decentralised Cooperation Service” centre (Service Échanges Internationaux et Coopération Décentralisée / EICD) in order to foster an international politics of solidarity through local cooperation, together with migrant communities.
- 2
Over the years, the city has built up a network of services offered to foreign residents and asylum seekers. These include literacy and writing courses, legal and administrative support, various forums and social housing, all of which are provided in collaboration with migrant support associations in the area.
- 3
During a period of tense relations between the state and local authorities in September 2018, the municipality requisitioned a disused state building (AFPA / Adult Vocational Training Agency) and converted it into an emergency reception centre.
What is unique about the city?
A laboratory for innovative approaches: Located in the eastern suburbs of Paris, Montreuil has a history of high migration, making it a place where not only migration-related challenges are particularly visible but where, at the same time, many successful local political solutions have been tested. Montreuil has a rich history of migrant self-organisation and in the last few years the municipality has been active in, for example, supporting the political activism of undocumented migrants and has clashed with the national government over the housing situation of migrants.
“As a full citizen, each Montreuil resident must be able to participate fully in democratic life; this is an essential condition for us to all live together and be equal.”
Mayor Patrice Bessac
What is the focus of local migration policies?
Unconditional access to rights and services: The development of local services for foreign residents (whether with a residence permit or undocumented) and refugees is closely bound up with changes to the local political landscape. Under Mayor Patrice Bessac’s (Parti communiste français PCF, in office since 2014) new left-wing coalition, Montreuil is gradually moving from a reactive “ad hoc” approach to services intended for specific groups, to an “unconditional access” model for all residents. The city has developed several programmes fostering economic, cultural and legal inclusion.
Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level
In Montreuil, migrant reception and welcome policies have been a point of debate for many years, illustrated, for example, in 2009 in connection with the reception of the city’s Roma population. The city is proud of its history of international solidarity, which dates back to 1985, when it signed a partnership with Mali, marking the beginning of what would later be called decentralised cooperation. Many more international partnerships, including with cities in Latin America, Asia and Turkey, followed. In 2015, Montreuil became a founding member of the ANVITA (Association Nationale des Villes et Territoires Accueillants) network. In September 2020, Mountreuil declared its support for the National March of Undocumented Workers (Marche nationale des Sans-Papiers) in a resolution adopted by the city council. Representatives of the National March described Montreuil as a “welcoming, solidarity city, linked to a universal citizenship”. In 2021, Montreuil also joined the French city network 'Solidarity Community Network SOS MEDITERRANEE' to support sea rescue.
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Download the full city report
The city report contains more information about the city’s migration and inclusion policies and selected local approaches. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.