Zaragoza has been recognized in Brussels as one of the cities most committed to social inclusion in Europe. At the gala of the European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity Awards 2025, the Aragonese capital received the bronze distinction in the Inclusive Housing category and also won the Public Award, granted through direct voting by attendees and representatives from other European cities.
The European Commission has highlighted the work of the Zaragoza City Council in key areas such as homelessness, universal accessibility, and support for vulnerable groups and families, thus awarding a social strategy that combines innovation, participation, and a human approach.
Impactful Policies: From the Streets to Homes
One of the projects most valued by the jury has been the First Opportunity Plan, an initiative that addresses the care, housing, and social integration of homeless individuals. It is not just about providing shelter, but also about generating a real process of socio-labor inclusion. This comprehensive vision, which involves social entities, technical staff, and vulnerable groups, has been key to placing Zaragoza on the European map of best practices.
Another notable milestone has been the Ricardo Millán housing building in the Las Fuentes neighborhood. Beyond its architecture, it is a proposal that combines affordable housing with social support, prioritizing diversity and accessibility as structural axes.
A Recognition That Goes Beyond the Award
Zaragoza has not only been awarded but has also been a finalist in the category of cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants for its participatory approach to inclusion policies. The European Commission has underscored the city’s capacity to integrate people in vulnerable situations and has mentioned facilities such as the House of Women, a benchmark for equality, and the House of Cultures, a key piece in the inclusion of migrants.
Initiatives such as the II Plan of the Network of Age-Friendly Cities, which combats unwanted loneliness; the II Local Childhood and Adolescence Plan, with proposals like urban colonies Zaragalla or the network of play centers; and the Strategic Plan for Universal Accessibility, which ensures equitable access to services and public spaces for all, have also been recognized.
“These awards are an incentive to continue working for and on behalf of all citizens,” declared the Minister of Social Policies, Marian Orós, after the news broke. According to Orós, the goal is clear: “To be the European city with the highest quality of life for all. A welcoming, accessible, inclusive, and diverse Zaragoza.”
From Brussels, the Director-General for Justice and Consumers of the European Commission, Irena Moozová, praised Zaragoza as “an example for all European cities in their social policies.”
