The City of Amsterdam Administration’s Culture of Welcome – refugee perspectives on policy implementation and design

Amsterdam’s support for non-documented migrants – a fresh start in adversity 

“Free in, free out policy” – Safe reporting and other protection measures against the detention of non-documented migrants in Amsterdam	 

The “Amsterdam Approach” – inclusion measures for newcomers with refugee status

Amsterdam

Sustainable and individualised support from the start

**Sustainable and individualised support:** Amsterdam has longstanding experience of welcoming migrants and refugees. Since 2016, the municipality’s inclusion measures for refugees – most notably the “Amsterdam Approach” – have attracted the attention of policymakers and experts across the Netherlands and beyond. What sets Amsterdam apart from other progressive Dutch municipalities, is its focus on the intensive, sustainable and customised support of recognised refugees, starting from the first moment of their arrival in the city. 

What is unique about the city?

The Nausica programme – a holistic approach to community reception and social inclusion 

Documento de vecindad (neighbourhood document) – strengthening residence security 

Barcelona

The leading solidarity city in Spain and Europe

**Municipal role model since 2015:** Barcelona has been known as a leading solidarity city in Spain and Europe since the municipal movement Barcelona en Comú (BComú) won the 2015 municipal elections. Barcelona’s own municipal politics is the initiator, model and organising principle for its communal pro-migrant policies. The “Barcelona, Refuge City” plan is a bundle of concrete measures with the aim of preparing the city to take in and assist refugees, provide necessary services and guarantee refugee rights. 


Independent support during the asylum process

Access to healthcare without insurance

Improved access to accommodation

Implementing the EU’s Reception Conditions Directive: identifying those in need 

Berlin

The city state sues for its right to take in refugees

**Interpreting federal law in favour of migrant interests:** Following the state election in 2016, the city’s Senate commissioned lawyers and representatives from anti-racist civil society groups to determine how the city should implement federal immigration regulations in the interest of migrants. The Senate then instructed city authorities to use whatever discretionary powers allowed by federal law to benefit those most affected. Berlin is also the first state in Germany to take legal action to fight for its right to take in refugees from other federal states. 

What is unique about the city? 

HEKS MosaiQ advice centre

The digital City Card

Bern

The progressive stronghold of Switzerland

**A special role within Switzerland:** Bern, which is governed by the left, has publicly and intensively committed itself to taking in refugees since 2015. Like most capitals, Bern plays a special role in the national political structure. For this reason, it has had an important political function for the largely conservative nation of Switzerland. The city government has repeatedly spoken out against the federal government in favour of taking in additional refugees.

Bologna

A pioneer of inclusive policies

**A long history of pro-migrant policies:** The city has had a long tradition of leftist governments and a pro-migrant agenda since the 1980's. Today, the city cooperates successfully with neighbouring municipalities, especially on health-related matters. Among the most important projects in the city are the civic-led medical clinic in the city centre and the first LGBTIQ welcome centre. 

Healthcare for all

An end to the endless loop of suspended deportation – improving access to long-term residency   

Bremen

Reducing the number of deportations

**Successful interplay between politics and social movements:** The story of Bremen shows how interactions between political actors and social movements can have positive political-cultural consequences, and are of great importance for the [“Solidarity Cities”](https://solidaritycities.eu/) movement today. The city has introduced a number of pioneering programmes, notably a nation-leading scheme providing better access to healthcare for asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.  


What is unique about Bremen?

Intercultural Inclusion

Cádiz

Welcoming migrants despite economic difficulties

**Challenging the government:** The southern city of Cádiz in Spain has experienced persistently high unemployment rates and a shrinking population in the last few decades. Despite these issues, in 2015, Cádiz’s local government became one of the most outspoken critics of both the Spanish government and the EU in their response to the arrival of people seeking international protection. 

The Immigrants’ Council of Gdansk

Gdańsk

The forerunner of inclusion policy in Poland

**Prioritising inclusion and solidarity:** Gdańsk is the leader in inclusion policy among Polish cities. Issues relating to refugee inclusion have been high on its political agenda for several years already. The city’s authorities, including the mayor, have repeatedly emphasised the need to adopt inclusion, solidarity and anti-discrimination measures for the benefit of Gdańsk's new residents.

 What is unique about Gdańsk?

Project Ankerkracht – Including young refugees 

Ghent’s Refugee Taskforce

Jobteam Gent – Finding a permanent job 

Ghent

Comprehensive policies and unusual collaborations

**Civic engagement supported by the city:** Ghent has an active civil society and values its varied initiatives. This allows the city to support civil society projects to a high degree, in some cases even in the form of official cooperations. These cooperations allow for a more holistic, individual and socially-oriented (instead of merely results-oriented) approach to supporting and including newcomers in Ghent.Ghent has received various solidarity awards for its collaborative approach. 

  

Information Guide

Public participation – Grenoble Solidarity Platform 

Grenoble

Pioneering solidarity in France

**Fighting for migrant rights:** Grenoble has been particularly active in fighting for the recognition of migrant rights. To this end, a large network of organisations collaborates with the municipality on several initiatives for the provision of advice, information and basic services. 

“Welcome Treff” – Support and social interaction for refugees and locals 

“Integration flats” – A model for housing integration  

Halle (Saale)

Successful anti-racist activism despite political pressure

**Steadfast anti-racist activism:** Under difficult circumstances and despite high pressure from right-wing groups, the local anti-racism scene has worked to improve the lives of refugees at the municipal and state level for more than two decades. Over the years, its network of welcome initiatives has not only had a local impact, but also ensured that the city of Halle has consistently demanded improvements from the state government. Halle has adopted some progressive measures that have significantly improved access to individual housing for refugees. 

Lewisham (London)

How to challenge discriminatory authorities

**Collaboration with local residents and organisations:**  Lewisham was the first local authority in London to commit to becoming a Borough of Sanctuary in 2018, and has developed strong collaborative relationships with civil society since then. In working directly with the communities affected by the ‘hostile environment’ policies, the Council have enacted change to longstanding issues in a relatively short space of time, and expanded the meaning of sanctuary politics in the UK to include migrants of all kinds. Lewisham sets an example of how local authorities can effectively respond to issues identified by migrant communities themselves.


What is unique about Lewisham?

Emergency Support Programme for Integration and Accommodation (ESTIA)

Livadia

A win-win situation for newcomers and the local economy

**Better integration through accommodation in the city centre:** Livadia was the first medium-sized Greek municipality, after Athens and Thessaloniki, to take the initiative to welcome refugees. In November 2016, in cooperation with UNHCR, it implemented the Emergency Support for Integration and [Accommodation programme (ESTIA)](https://migration.gov.gr/en/ma/estia-2021/). Since then, over 1,500 refugees have been accommodated in city centre apartments. 

A new political commitment: “Écouter, rassembler, agir, défendre” (Listen, gather, act, defend)

Marseille

Reviving the legacy of Mediterranean hospitality

**Open harbour again after years of stagnation:** Marseille, as one of the Mediterranean’s historical port cities, has a longstanding history of migration. However, over the last few decades the local government has done little to promote inclusive policies for migrants. Instead, numerous civic initiatives have helped the migrant population to find accommodation, offered basic support and launched campaigns for migrants' rights. The election of Mayor Rubirola, head of a left-wing coalition led by Europe Ecology (Green Party), in 2020 changed the course of local politics, positioning Marseille as a Solidarity City by declaring its harbour open and engaging in international city networks. 

  

What is unique about Marseille?

A centre for unaccompanied minors

Collaborative systems for an inclusive labour market 

Family reunification, social inclusion and education – an interdisciplinary approach 

Milan

A migration hotspot developing long-term solutions

**From emergency measures to long-term solutions:** The main challenge for Milan over the last few years has been the need to shift from an emergency response to long-term inclusion solutions. Milan has responded with a strategy that later became known as the “Milan model”, a reception system that is significantly more open and efficient than the national average. As a city with a long migration history because of its socio-cultural and economic resources, Milan has also become a hub for migration movements. The last two left-leaning administrations have invested in a range of social and economic policies directed at supporting migrant and refugee inclusion. 

“Unconditional access” to rights and services for all residents

Montreuil

Working towards solutions with local communities

**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.  


The Common Goods Charter

Roundtables for co-designing public policies – “I Tavoli” 

Naples

The solidarity city reinventing common goods

**Local activism meets an active mayor:** Naples is an important Mediterranean hub. Its local activism, the strong presence of migrant-led associations as well as the political engagement of former Mayor De Magistris (2011-2021) have established Naples as a “Solidarity City”. 


What is unique about Naples?

The Charter of Palermo

The Open Harbours Policy

Palermo

The open harbour city challenging European migration politics 

**Overcoming the European border regime:** Palermo is committed to fighting for a radical change in  EU and national border policies, with a particular focus on maritime migration and search and rescue (SAR) activities in the Mediterranean Sea.  

 

Transforming discriminatory practices at the immigration office 

Pioneering advocate for community reception 

Project 'Spurwechsel' – Integration into the labour market of refugees with tolerated status

Potsdam

A key player in bringing cities across Europe together

**Advocating for the rights of refugees:** Potsdam is one of the most progressive cities in Germany and Europe when it comes to migration policy. Since 2015, Potsdam has been one of the most vocal municipal actors speaking out for migrants’ rights and has done much to improve living conditions for refugees in Potsdam – from simplified family reunion to increased access to integration courses. Moreover, the city is trying to increase its own in-take of refugees by reforming the local Immigration Office, with the help of churches, the local [Seebrücke](https://seebruecke.org/) group and other anti-racist civil society actors. 

“Paten” – A voluntary mentoring project 

Neustart im Team” – Private refugee sponsorship 

Rottenburg

The small town influencing German migration policy 

**Bringing together “Cities of Safe Harbours":** Rottenburg, a small town in one of the richest regions in Germany, made national headlines when Mayor Stephan Neher (CDU, Christian Democrats) made an urgent plea for the direct in-take of refugees from the Mediterranean. In summer 2019, he said: “If it comes down to it, I'll get a local bus driver to go down to Italy and pick up the people himself". Since then, Rottenburg has taken a nationwide leading role in networking with municipalities to encourage them to welcome refugees, and has taken over the management of the “Cities of Safe Harbours" alliance from the much larger city of Potsdam. 

What is unique about Rottenburg?

The community reception of new arrivals: the “Welcome to Swansea” mentoring scheme 

Swansea

Pioneering the sanctuary movement in Wales and the UK

**A culture of hospitality:** As the second city in the UK to become a [City of Sanctuary](https://moving-cities.eu/networks/city-of-sanctuary), Swansea is a hospitality pioneer in both the UK and Wales. The local civil society-led sanctuary movement has a long record of promoting a culture of hospitality for refugees and asylum seekers. 

What is unique about Swansea?

The Regional Refugee Advisory Council – “Nothing About Us Without Us” 

Tilburg’s “Language, Orientation and Participation” (TOP) programme 

Regional solidarity in the “Heart of Brabant” – pragmatism and dispersal 

Tilburg

Local innovations that influence national law

**Regional solidarity and quick policy innovations:** What sets Tilburg apart from other progressive Dutch municipalities is its focus on regional solidarity and partnership – allowing it to pool resources and lobby at the national level more effectively. A central element of its migration policies is the requirement of an equal and mutual commitment and sense of obligation from both the administration and the new arrivals. Its programmes aim to create a stable environment and to encourage active cooperation with refugees.

What is unique about Tilburg?

Irrina cheese factory cooperative 

Broad participation in the local society

Tilos

The island community that has welcomed migrants 

**Making actual participation possible:** Tilos, an island of 800 residents, has shown how existing communities can welcome newcomers and include them quickly in local life. Local authorities, together with residents, have worked to create a community with refugees. In doing so, their focus has not been on solutions for a temporary stay, but on getting refugees involved in different aspects of public life: from jobs to social events.

What is unique about Tilos?

Plan Einstein Overvecht – context-sensitive asylum centres 

The rise of “bed, bath & bread” shelters and support during the pandemic 

Utrecht

Combining local innovativeness with strategic lobbying  

**Longstanding partnerships with civil society:** Utrecht has been at the forefront of developing inclusion measures for refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants for decades. As the first Dutch city to offer legal support on top of emergency social assistance to undocumented migrants, the municipality has longstanding partnerships with civil society and refugee solidarity organisations. What sets Utrecht apart from other progressive Dutch municipalities is that it has also developed policies for asylum seekers and undocumented migrants. City actors have also brought “human rights home”, linking them to local issues.


What is unique about the city Utrecht?

The “speak out loud against racism” project (“Xarxa Apuja el to contra el racisme”) – Working hand in hand with Valencia’s Education System

Valencian Programme for the Integral Protection and Reception of Defenders of Human Rights

“Agermanament Comunitari Valencià” – an example of multilevel and multi-stakeholder cooperation on reception procedures 

Valencia

Developing an ambitious approach to migration from scratch

**From nought to sixty:** With a progressive government elected in 2015, Valencia has adopted an ambitious approach to developing a migration policy from scratch. The city has simplified bureaucratic procedures and facilitated the participation of civil society organisations and migrants in policy processes. It is not just individual policy measures that are inspiring – the overall approach is impressive. Due to a lack of initiative from the previous conservative government there was no real migration policy before 2015. 
However, in May 2023, the progressive government was replaced at both municipal and regional level. At the regional level, a coalition of the conservative PP together with the right-wing populist Vox has been governing since then, which is likely to have a negative impact on the solidarity-based migration policy.


The Multi-Cultural Centre

Warsaw

Promoting hospitality in a difficult environment

**Wide range of services for migrants:** Despite the lack of any coherent local policy on the arrival of migrants and refugees, Warsaw has a broad range of services for migrants. As the capital and largest city in Poland, Warsaw was the first to experience the diversity connected with migration movements. The presence of a large number of immigrants helped initiate a number of inclusive measures taken by municipal public institutions and social organisations, including those established by migrants themselves. 

What is unique about Warsaw?

“Zaragoza, ciudad acogedora” – A community-based reception for new arrivals

Zaragoza’s Urban Citizenship Programme

“Casa de las culturas y la solidaridad” – Involving migrants in local inclusion policies

Zaragoza

A new vision of urban citizenship and diversity

**Inclusion despite high levels of debt:** Although Zaragoza, the fifth largest city in Spain, ranks among the most heavily indebted municipalities in the country, it has implemented a series of successful and welcoming inclusion policies since 2015. The measures are underpinned by a new idea of a diverse and intercultural [urban citizenship](https://www.zaragoza.es/contenidos/derechosociales/diversidad-cultural/Plan-MCDI-marzo2019.pdf). 

City-ID Card

Healthcare for undocumented migrants

Zurich

Pioneering urban citizenship with a “City ID” for all

**Political recognition for all:** Zurich is one of the larger European cities to be considered a pioneer of the so-called “Urban Citizenship” initiative. The initiative is part of the drive to use creative municipal measures to give rights to undocumented migrants who have no right to remain. No other European city has institutionalised rights for undocumented migrants to the extent that Zurich has. Civil society initiatives are pushing for full political recognition of all those who live in the city as equal citizens, and are finding the left-wing state government responsive to the suggestions. 
