Signing ceremony for the "Gemengepakt vum interkulturellen Zesummeliewen” and official handover of the Citizen's guide to the municipalities of Kanton Réiden and Mertzig

The event began with a welcome from Jean-Marie Majerus, Deputy Director of the Atert-Lycée. Then, Pollo Bodem, head of policy of the Kanton Réiden's Service Vivre Ensemble and mayor of the municipality of Useldange, emphasised the importance of the Gemengepakt: "We want our municipalities to be lively communities where everyone can participate”. In his turn, Serge Hoffmann, vice-president of Syvicol, pointed out that accepting differences is an asset and a source of enrichment if our country is to become a place where everyone can feel at ease.

In his speech, Minister Max Hahn thanked the political leaders of the 10 municipalities present for their commitment to intercultural living together, and for the regional approach already tested as part of the "Pakt vum Zesummeliewen” pilot project (2021-2023). "The Kanton Réiden and the municipality of Mertzig are pioneers. Here, living together also means working together. You are doing this in an exemplary way, and I congratulate you. It's this participatory approach that keeps our municipalities alive and flourishing”.

Next, the board of the Syndicat intercommunal Kanton Réiden - representing the municipalities of Beckerich, Ell, Grosbous-Wahl, Préizerdaul, Rambrouch, Redange, Saeul, Vichten and Useldange - and the municipality of Mertzig signed the Gemengepakt with the Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn, in the presence of Syvicol vice-president Serge Hoffmann.

Finally, the 10 communes officially received their personalised "Citizen's guide”. Developed in collaboration between the local authorities and the Ministry, the "Citizen's guide” is particularly useful for all new arrivals to the local authority, helping them to find their way around and feel at home, as well as taking their first steps towards active participation in local living together. The guide provides information on the services offered by the municipality, as well as details of how to get involved.

The "Gemengepakt” (municipal pact for intercultural living together)

The law of 23 August 2023 on intercultural living together created the "Gemengepakt” (municipal pact for intercultural living together), which helps to implement intercultural living together at local level.

By signing the "Gemengepakt”, a municipality or group of municipalities, Syvicol and the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees commit to close collaboration, with a view to a multi-annual and participatory process that emphasises access to information, the participation of all people living or working in the municipality and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination.

The Gemengepakt is divided into themed cycles, which take place in five stages:

• Political commitment
• Assessment of the current situation
• Citizen workshops to develop concrete actions
• Implementation of concrete actions
• Evaluation of the work carried out

The "Gemengepakt” is based on the "Pakt vum Zesummeliewen” pilot project (2021-2023), in which 32 municipalities took part.

The implementation of the "Gemengepakt” is closely supported by the Ministry, its official partners ASTI and CEFIS, and five advisers on intercultural living together. The latter provide their expertise and pass on good practice between the participating municipalities. Other partners, in particular local players, are called upon to get involved and participate in the development and implementation of intercultural living together in their municipality.

Under the "Gemengepakt” scheme, various forms of assistance are available to local authorities:

• an annual grant of up to €30,000 per municipality to cover the costs of a municipal pact coordinator,
• an annual grant of €3,000, €5,000 or €8,000 to cover the costs of implementing the municipal pact (depending on the number of local councillors) and
• an annual grant of €5 for each resident of the municipality and each cross-border worker whose place of work is in the municipality and who is a signatory of the citizens' pact at 31 December of the current year.

For more information, visit gemengen.zesummeliewen.lu or send an e-mail to gemengen.zesummeliewen@fm.etat.lu.

The "Citizen's guide”

The "Citizen's guide” was drawn up by the Ministry's Intercultural Living Together Division, in collaboration with Syvicol and interested municipalities. Standardised in five languages, it consists of two parts: The information section "I discover my municipality”, invites you to discover the municipality by providing information on its make-up, local infrastructure, education, culture and associations, as well as an overview of the activities on offer. The second part "I get involved in my municipality”, is interactive and fun, offering ideas for getting involved and interacting with fellow citizens, through volunteering, learning, practising languages or getting involved in politics.

To date, 27 municipalities have received their personalised "Citizen's guide”.

The "Citizen's guide” was drawn up in alphabetical order and by expression of interest. Over the coming months, each municipality involved in the project will receive a personalised guide.

Press release by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees / Intercultural Living Together Division / Syndicat intercommunal Kanton Réiden / municipality of Mertzig / Syndicat des villes et communes luxembourgeoises (Syvicol)