Komotini aims to become a “City of Equality” through EU Urban Agenda Partnership

The Municipality of Komotini has officially joined the European initiative “Urban Agenda for the EU – UAEU” as a collaborating partner in the thematic partnership titled “Cities of Equality.” The decision was approved by the Municipal Committee following an invitation from the partnership’s coordinators.

The Urban Agenda for the EU is an intergovernmental European initiative aimed at strengthening the role of cities in shaping and implementing EU policies for sustainable and equitable urban development.

The “Cities of Equality” partnership focuses on equality, social inclusion, and addressing multiple forms of discrimination in urban environments. It brings together cities, EU member states, European institutions, and civil society organizations to promote policies that consider the intersectional nature of inequalities – including gender, origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

Komotini’s inclusion in the partnership is seen as an honorary recognition of its longstanding and systematic efforts in accessibility and social integration. Notably, the city's participation was not the result of an application, but rather a direct invitation by the partnership coordinators, who identified Komotini as a model of best practices in embedding equality principles in urban planning.

By joining this initiative, the Municipality of Komotini gains:

• Direct access to European city networks,
• Policy tools and specialized expertise,
• The opportunity to actively shape European policies and funding mechanisms in favor of equality and inclusion at the local level.

The participation also aims to strengthen Komotini’s role on the European stage, enhance its capacity to design and implement targeted social inclusion policies, and further position the city as a model for equality and social cohesion.

Importantly, the initiative does not impose any financial burden on the municipal budget, as there is no membership fee or financial contribution required.