As of September 1st, the Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM) is launching a coordinated campaign to raise awareness and promote understanding of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights among citizens across the European Union. This campaign aims to inform people of their fundamental rights and freedoms, fostering civic engagement and responsibility. All activities and messaging will align with the Charter’s principles, empowering individuals to exercise their rights and hold institutions accountable. The campaign will also highlight the work of the DeCiDE project, with a special focus on the ten participating cities and the outcomes achieved.
The European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights is one of the most important legal instruments we have today to safeguard human dignity, freedom, equality, and justice across the EU. But while these rights are often associated with national or European institutions, it is in cities—where people live, work, and engage with public services—that fundamental rights are most tangibly upheld or undermined.
Through the DeCiDE Project (Boost Democratic Participation in Cities to Recharge Democracy in Europe), the Global Parliament of Mayors and Human Rights Cities Network are working with ten pilot cities to make the Charter a living, local reality. At the heart of the project is a participatory human rights monitoring system co-designed by city officials and civil society actors. This effort translates the Charter’s principles into measurable indicators and actionable policy insights that improve daily life.
DeCiDE cities are addressing this head-on by evaluating how accessible and inclusive their participation mechanisms truly are. Are residents—regardless of background—able to engage in shaping policies? Are local elections reaching underrepresented groups? The answers to these questions will help strengthen civic trust and revive local democratic culture.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Charter’s rights directly inform the DeCiDE project’s three monitoring themes.
The first of these, the right to access social and cultural services, is anchored in several provisions of the Charter. Article 34 affirms the right to social security and social assistance, while Article 14 guarantees access to education—a right closely linked to both social inclusion and cultural opportunity. Article 22 further reinforces the importance of cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity. In practice, this means ensuring everyone in a city has equitable access to schools, libraries, housing support, and cultural life, regardless of background or income.
This dimension of the Charter ensures that everyone has the right to social and housing assistance and equal access to cultural and educational services. Cities are at the forefront of delivering these services—from shelters and libraries to childcare, education, and cultural institutions. Yet access is not always equitable, particularly for marginalized groups, migrants, or residents of underserved neighborhoods.
Through the DeCiDE project, cities are assessing how these rights are realised—or not—in their service delivery, and working to close the gaps through inclusive, data-informed policymaking.
The second focus area is the right to non-discrimination, which is a cornerstone of the Charter as outlined in Article 21. This provision prohibits discrimination on any grounds, including gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The DeCiDE monitoring framework helps cities examine their own institutions and policies through this lens. By inviting feedback from affected communities, cities can identify blind spots, adapt procedures, and build more equitable public systems that reflect and respect the diversity of their populations.
Non-discrimination is a cornerstone of the Charter and a prerequisite for any meaningful rights-based governance. DeCiDE cities are tracking discriminatory barriers in their public policies and services. Importantly, the participatory monitoring approach allows affected communities to voice where systems are falling short. This empowers cities to act—by revising procedures, improving outreach, and fostering cultures of inclusion and accountability.
The third pillar of the project is civic rights and democratic participation. Articles 39 and 40 of the Charter enshrine the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in European and municipal elections, while Article 12 protects the freedom of assembly and association, including the right to join or form civic and political organisations. These rights are essential to democratic life, yet many residents—especially those from marginalised or migrant communities—face barriers to full participation.
Local democracy is democracy in action. Whether it’s through local elections, participatory budgeting, or civil society consultations, cities give residents the tools to shape their environment. However, democratic engagement is declining in many parts of Europe.
The DeCiDE project helps cities evaluate how inclusive their political processes truly are and supports initiatives that increase engagement and build trust in local governance. It shows that cities are not only capable of monitoring human rights—they are essential to it. With this pilot initiative, we are building a model of democratic accountability, social cohesion, and civic empowerment that can be replicated across Europe.
Ultimately, the EU Charter is not just a legal document—it’s a social contract. By bringing its articles to life in city halls and neighborhoods, we move from words to action, from principle to practice.
Cities are where universal rights begin. And in this moment of democratic uncertainty, they are also where the future of those rights must be protected and expanded.
Read more on the DeCiDE project here.
This project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.