The new Strategy is a comprehensive initiative intended to address the racism that still persists in the EU, including that based on racial and ethnic origin. Building upon the anti-racism action plan, which expires at the end of 2025, the consultation is open until 8 July 2025.
Despite progress, racism is still widespread in the EU. This is according to the 2023 Eurobarometer on discrimination in the EU. Thus efforts are needed from the Commission, Member States and stakeholders to tackle racism and racial discrimination. The Commission therefore intends to put forward the first comprehensive strategy to address racism and contribute to a society free from racial discrimination. This initiative will build upon the anti-racism action plan that expires end of 2025.
The aim of this initiative is to develop a comprehensive strategy against racism in all its forms and manifestations in the EU beyond 2025. The overall aim of the strategy is to propose a set of non-legislative measures and actions to help reduce interpersonal racism (which occurs during interactions between individuals) and structural racism, which happens in rules, norms, routines, patterns of attitudes and behaviour in societal structures at EU, national, regional, and local levels.
Racism and racial discrimination require EU attention and action because they hamper the effective delivery of the EU’s own equality policies. Efforts are needed from the Commission, Member States and stakeholders to tackle racism and racial discrimination. The Commission therefore intends to propose a comprehensive strategy to address racism and contribute to a society free from racial discrimination by strengthening the protection of right holders as well as by establishing clear policies to combat structural racism and discrimination in various sectors at EU and national levels, including employment, education, and housing.
The strategy will aim to reduce hate speech and hate crime, as well as bullying and conscious and unconscious biases, which are increasingly prevalent in many EU countries and in particular online, as well as promote better data collection on racism and discrimination. The EU anti-racism strategy is essential for fostering an inclusive, equitable society that respects the fundamental rights of all individuals.
The anti-racism strategy will align with existing strategies like the EU Roma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation the, EU strategy on combatting antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, the EU strategy on the rights of the child, the EU youth strategy and future strategies, including LGBTIQ equality and gender equality.
In this context, the Commission is inviting any relevant stakeholders who are interested or might be affected by an existing or proposed law or policy to share their views, sending comments or position papers or reply to public consultations. This includes: public national, local and regional authorities, businesses, civil society organisations, and individual citizens.
Input can be shared through the call for evidence and the dedicated public consultation.
Consultation period
15 April 2025 – 08 July 2025 (midnight Brussels time)
More information
