Anti-racism strategy 2026 - 2030
Factual report – public consultation
July 2025
Disclaimer
This Report is without prejudice to any position the European Commission or its services might take as regards the subject matter of this public consultation. It contains the summary of the results of a public consultation, but it does not represent the official position of the European Commission and its services and thus neither the public consultation nor this Report are binding for the European Commission and its services.
I.Introduction
The open public consultation on the EU anti-racism strategy 2026-2030 sought input from stakeholders to guide future EU action against racism.
Held from April 15 to July 8, 2025, the online questionnaire covered strategic objectives and priorities in all 24 official EU languages to ensure broad participation.
The public consultation yielded 197 submissions from EU citizens, non-EU citizens, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), academic institutions, businesses, public institutions, and other stakeholders, plus 13 additional email submissions. Although not statistically representative, the consultation provided valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and recommendations from those affected by or actively engaged in anti-racism activities. It will aid the European Commission in formulating the strategy.
This summary provides a brief overview of the responses collected during the consultation process.
II.Overview of respondents
Out of 197 responses (including one moderated due to hateful content), EU citizens constituted 63.8% (125 responses), while CSOs provided 22.8% (45 responses) of the submissions. Public authorities, academic institutions, and other organisations each accounted for 4.1% (8 responses), with companies and non-EU citizens contributing between 1 to 2%.
Across EU Member States, France contributed 33% (65 responses) of the total submissions, followed by Belgium (12.2%, 24 responses), Luxembourg (8.1%, 16 responses), Germany (7.6%, 15 responses), and Spain (5.6%, 11 responses). Italy and Portugal had 9 (4.6%) and 7 (3.6%) responses, respectively, while other EU states contributed 1% to 3% each, with submissions count between 2 to 6.
III.Overview of responses
The survey, comprising 23 questions, addressed topics related to anti-racism. No responses indicated any coordinated campaigns aimed at posting negative messages.
Current situation on racism and racial discrimination
While 91% of respondents (179 responses) acknowledged racism as a national problem, opinions were divided on national attention to racism, with 46% (91 responses) feeling it worsened and 38% (73 responses) noting improvements. At the EU level, 39% (76 responses) perceived a decline in attention and 36% (70 responses) saw improvements.
Priorities for the new anti-racism strategy
The consultation identified pressing forms of racism which need urgent attention from the EU, such as workplace and economic barriers (55%, 108 responses), followed by racial discrimination (51%, 100 responses), hate speech (47%, 93 responses), tackling racism in policing (43%, 84 responses) and hate crime (41%, 81 responses) with racist motives.
Respondents also highlighted the need to address structural racism (21%, 41 responses), support national-level anti-racism efforts (10%, 20 responses) and improve civic spaces (10%, 19 responses).
Opinions on the relevance of current anti-racism action plan’s priorities for the Commission’s work beyond 2025 were mixed, with 33% (65% responses) considering it valid.
Actions for the new anti-racism strategy
Respondents supported two main priorities for the Commission’s future anti-racism efforts: raising awareness of the historical roots and negative impacts of racism, and mainstreaming anti-racism within EU policies, each receiving support from 43% (84 responses) of participants. Additionally, 34% (67 responses) valued enhancing the collection and monitoring of disaggregated equality data and adopting an intersectional approach.
To specifically combat structural racism, respondents endorsed multiple policy actions, especially focusing on training and capacity building for professionals (79%, 155 responses), acknowledging racism’s historical roots (71%, 139 responses), and prevention efforts (64%, 126 responses). Many emphasised the importance of training in sectors like law enforcement, healthcare, education, employment, justice, and policymaking. Participants also suggested engaging local governance, expanding the Digital Services Act to curb online hate speech, ensuring compliance with it by Member States and addressing antigypsyism in education and housing.
There was support for funding national anti-racism efforts (74%, 145 responses) and developing thematic guidelines addressing specific aspects of racism (70%, 138 responses).
Respondents stressed the importance of monitoring the implementation of anti-racism policies by Member States, establishing binding tools, setting clear targets, and securing resources and funds.
A significant majority (76%, 149 responses) prioritised CSOs’ involvement in data collection for equality and social inclusion policies, with 60% (110 responses) supporting the mainstreaming of anti-racism into all Commission policies related to social inclusion. Within private organisations, 71% of respondents (139 responses) prioritised setting clear consequences for discriminatory behaviours and practices.
The role of CSOs in EU policymaking was highlighted with 49% of respondents (97 responses) prioritising representation of racialised communities. Furthermore, 78% (152 responses) emphasised the need for sustainable funding of CSOs, while 73% (143 responses) and 72% (141 responses) respectively, deemed essential the effective consultation in policymaking and protection of human rights defenders and civil society.
To promote diversity and a discrimination-free workplace in EU institutions, 67% (132 responses) supported expanding unconscious bias training for staff/management. Suggestions for improvements included establishing clear diversity targets and addressing multiple forms of discrimination, while cautioning against tokenism.
All proposals on tackling persistent stereotypes received widespread support, with initiatives to address racist stereotypes, prejudices, and ideologies, along with integrating anti-racism and awareness of racism’s historical roots into staff education, receiving the most support at 74% (146 responses) and 73% (144 responses), respectively.
Lastly, there was strong backing for addressing inequities in employment and healthcare, focusing on raising awareness of employment rights (74%, 146 responses) and educating healthcare professionals about existing disparities (78%, 153 responses).
EU Policymaking
The integration of an anti-racism perspective into specific EU policy areas was emphasised, particularly in asylum and migration (56%, 110 responses) and education (48%, 95 responses) policies.
Home affairs and law enforcement as well as justice and fundamental rights each garnered support from 40% (79 responses), while employment and social policies were highlighted by 44% (87 responses) as policy areas where the mainstreaming of anti-racism policies should be prioritised. A notable 19% of respondents (37 responses) advocate for an anti-racism approach across all policy areas.
Key measures for impact on integrating anti-racism within businesses, organisations, and public administrations include decision-makers' training (58%, 113 responses), anti-racism plans in organisations and public bodies (55%, 107 responses), with staff training on anti-racism also seen as crucial (43%, 85 responses).
67% of respondents (131 responses) emphasised an intersectional approach for tackling racism, by focusing on the intersection of racism and anti-migrant sentiments (45%, 89 responses). 42% (82 responses) prioritised improving data collection to capture intersectional data, enabling more informed policymaking.
To combat growing anti-migrant narratives, 71% (140 responses) of respondents advocated for tackling hate speech per the Digital Services Act and 70% (137 responses) back encouraging fact-checking, media literacy as well as promptly addressing discrimination by law enforcement and border patrols. Investing in inclusive communities through social cohesion and integration policies received 53% (103 responses) support.
IV. Additional information and comments
The questionnaire allowed respondents to add further comments or upload documents, with 80 making use of this feature and 25 submitting written contributions received directly from Member States, CSOs and other specialists. These include recommendations and orientations on how to address certain dimensions of racism.
V. Next steps
The feedback obtained in this consultation will be taken into account when preparing the EU anti-racism strategy for 2026 - 2030.
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