Over Leiden (The Netherlands)
Leiden has carried the name “City of Refugees” for centuries - a title earned through its tradition of welcoming those seeking safety, and one that continues to shape how the city of 130,000 inhabitants understands its responsibilities today. The Living Together in Leiden Coalition Agreement and the overarching Leiden Inclusive Policy translate a century-old identity into a living, structured commitment.
The reach of that commitment is deliberately broad. A dedicated programme team and a network of 60 internal ambassadors have built a movement spanning every ground of discrimination: wheelchair-friendly playgrounds and dementia-friendly services sit alongside an LGBTIQ+ safety and wellbeing action plan (Action Plan Social Safety)developed in partnership with Leiden University, and city-wide dialogues on racism that have brought together over 250 participants.
Leiden’s approach is informed by a range of structured participatory bodies. The accessibility network, Leiden Unhindered, a youth panel on racism, and an LGBTIQ+ network of over 50 members advise the Mayor and Alderman directly, ensuring that stakeholders affected by inclusion policies contribute to their development.
Finalist video