About ENAR

Who we are

 
The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) is an EU-wide network of vibrant NGOs in all EU Member States, as well as in Croatia and Iceland. ENAR combats racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and promotes equality of treatment between European Union citizens and third country nationals.
 
 
Our vision & mission

ENAR’s vision is of a society that embraces the necessity of equality and diversity and the benefits of a racism-free Europe for a vibrant European society and economy.

Our mission is to attain full equality and solidarity, allowing all members of society, whatever their skin colour, ethnicity, sex, gender, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation, to participate and be included in society. We are achieving this by specifically combating racism and discrimination based on colour, ethnicity, national origin, nationality, religion, culture, language or legal status.

 
 
 
 
 
 
How we work towards achieving our mission
 
ENAR is the voice of its member organisations in Brussels and advocates on their behalf. We aim to make a difference in a range of fields relating to equality and anti-racism, migration and integration, and social inclusion of ethnic and religious minorities in Europe. We do this in the following ways:
 
Coordinate the ENAR network
  • We coordinate and service a Europe-wide network of organisations working to combat racism at local or national level and voice their concerns.
  • We ensure that the voice of anti-racist civil society is heard in European and national policy debates.
  • We support the work of our member organisations by exchanging information, experience and best practice and enabling them to influence policy at European and national levels.
 
Influence the European political agenda
  • We closely follow and monitor policy developmentson the EU’s agenda to ensure they do not undermine equality and diversity.
  • We campaign and lobby the EU institutions to take action and launch initiatives against racism and discrimination and for a diverse and inclusive Europe.
  • We work and meet with key EU officials and political representatives to make sure equality and anti-racism are a top priority on the European agenda.
 
Take part in strategic alliances with other actors in Europe
  • We actively engage in advocacy coalitions and partnerships with other European networks, businesses, trade unions and foundations.
  
Generate new ideas
  • We aim to play a leadership role of agenda-setter and proactively put forward innovative ideas and reflections on the future of diversity and anti-racism in Europe and the transformations needed for European society to fully embrace equality and diversity. This entails looking at the bigger picture and driving change towards a strong inclusive society that takes care of everybody, generates equal opportunities for all and supports everyone in achieving his/her potential by investing in education, health, housing, sustainable development, better and well-paid jobs, decent income for all and by achieving a fairer redistribution of the benefits of growth at all levels of society.
 
 
How it all started

ENAR is a major outcome of the 1997 European Year Against Racism. Between March and September 1998, more than 600 NGOs were involved in national and European round table consultations to discuss the viability of such a structure. The 1998 Constitutive Conference of the European Network Against Racism brought together more than 200 representatives of these organisations to draw up a common programme of action.

The establishment of ENAR endorses the recognition by NGOs of the European dimension to the fight against racism. Anti-racist NGOs feel that they have a lot to gain from a network as a forum to share information, and influence policies at the level of the European Union and its Member States.
 
© Horus (Xtracms)