In 2026, Józsefváros won the gold level of the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award in the category for municipalities with a population of over 50,000.

Józsefváros was the only municipality from the region to reach the finals.

The award was presented for the fifth time this year in Brussels.

The winners of this year’s European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award were announced on the evening of April 21.

The European Commission established the award to recognize municipalities in the European Union that treat diversity as a source of development and innovation and strive to build inclusive communities.

From among the municipalities that submitted applications, the expert jury selected a total of 13 municipalities in two categories (municipalities and regions with populations of over 50,000 and those with fewer than 50,000, respectively). Gold, silver, and bronze awards were presented in both categories. In the category of local governments with populations over 50,000, the gold award went to Józsefváros, the silver to Leuven, Belgium, and the bronze to Leiden, the Netherlands.

At the event, municipalities that have made exceptional efforts to create an inclusive labor market were also recognized.

Mayors, officials, and other experts and decision-makers attended the awards ceremony.

The award for Józsefváros was accepted by Tessza Udvarhelyi, Deputy Mayor responsible for social policy and community relations.

Upon receiving the award, the Deputy Mayor noted that in Hungary, over the past government cycles, it has primarily been social movements, civil society organizations, and local governments that have built the “other Hungary.” Since 2019, the Municipality of Józsefváros has done much to create a district based on solidarity, where diversity is valued and everyone has the opportunity to live a dignified life.

She emphasized that Józsefváros has been a pioneer in Hungary in many areas: the Office of Community Participation was first established here, and this is the only municipality where a separate Equal Opportunities Office operates. “Fortunately, the dark days in Hungary are over, and we will continue our work to build a new Hungary together with the residents of Budapest and the entire country,” concluded Tessza Udvarhelyi.

The guiding principle of the equal opportunity policy espoused by the Józsefváros Local Government is that eliminating extreme poverty, meeting the needs arising from special life circumstances, guaranteeing access to services, and ensuring adequate representation of minority communities are in all of our interests. In recent years, the district has launched innovative initiatives such as the Inclusive Kindergartens Program, recognized with the SozialMarie Award; the municipal internship program for Roma and various scholarships; the program against period poverty; and the complex victim support service for victims of domestic violence.

In the category in which Józsefváros has now won an award, Utrecht (Netherlands), Bilbao (Spain), and Kraków (Poland) received the gold, silver, and bronze awards, respectively, in 2025.