Local Policies on Religious Minorities: The ‘Municipalities for Tolerance’ Programme in Spain

Abstract

Religious minorities are increasingly present in all European urban spaces and their demands and needs must be accommodated also at the local level to make freedom of religion effective. However, local institutions, although being the closest to citizens, often lack the powers or the means to give a positive response to the increasing religious diversity of their populations. This makes necessary to consider and enhance local entities as active institutions in promoting and protecting cultural diversity, also in the religious domain. Municipalities for Tolerance is a Spanish policy programme designed to support local governments in managing religious diversity. The programme has started its implementation in several municipalities, offering the city councils additional tools for a positive and inclusive policy regarding religious minorities. Eventually, this initiative could also be exported for the benefit of local institutions and religious minorities in other European countries.