Globalisation and urban growth: a call for human rights action plans.
In an era of rapid globalisation and increasing complexity, local governments stand at the forefront of implementing human rights. As the democratic institutions and the level of governance closest to the people, local governments are uniquely positioned to understand, address and respond to the needs, challenges and aspirations of their communities. Cities are where rights become reality — through fair governance, inclusive policies, and equitable public services.
Our Centre supports municipalities and institutions in turning human rights principles into action. We offer tailored consultations and capacity-building for cities committed to implementing Human Rights Action Plans — from concept to completion.
Why we need human rights action plans
Human rights span a broad spectrum of categories, including civil and political rights, social and economic rights, cultural rights, the rights of the child, minority rights, as well as protections for vulnerable and marginalised groups. At the same time, the complexity of ensuring their realisation continues to grow. This highlights the critical importance of human rights action plans, which provide a coherent framework to connect these diverse rights and ensure their effective implementation.
The international community increasingly advocates for action plans and programmes to address key issues spanning multiple levels of governance, from international to local. Over the years, action plans have become essential tools in tackling related challenges such as social cohesion, inclusion, combating racism, and ensuring no one is left behind in sustainability efforts.
Our offer: empowering local authorities to drive human rights action
We provide expert guidance to local authorities in developing Human Rights Action Plans, from initial concept to full implementation. Whether you need support in achieving your goals, monitoring progress, or evaluating the human rights impact of your actions, we’re here to partner with you every step of the way. Let us help you turn your vision into meaningful change!
Leave us a message
If you are interested in learning more about the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of human rights action plans, let us arrange an appointment. We can tailor our services to your specific needs, taking into account your geographical, social, or legal context, as well as the resources you have available — simply contact us.
Services
We are a competence centre dedicated to building human rights capacity for local authorities. Our services are designed to complement one another but can also be booked individually. These are our services in the area of Human Rights Action Plans:
- Guidance on developing and implementing Human Rights Action Plans
- Participatory design and collection of local actions
- Monitoring and evaluation of process and impact
- Methodological support for measuring social inclusion, equality, and discrimination prevention
Products
- Toolkit for Equality: ECCAR 10 Points Action Plan
- Toolkit for Urban Inclusion in Arab Cities
- Human Rights Go Local publication series, Volume 5
- Child rights monitor
- Human Rights Indicator frameworks
References
- Consulting the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in the Human Rights City Framework
- Consulting the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
- Consulting UNESCO’s Arab Coalition of Sustainable and Inclusive Cities
- Consulting of development agencies
- Consulting of local governments in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Greece, Sweden, Spain, or Georgia
