- Immigrant Times
- Oct 28
- 26 min read
Updated: 57 minutes ago
SOLIDARITY PRIZE 2026
European Towns and Cities nominated for the Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize 2026
(Updated November 2025)
Bilbao (Spain) (photo shows the Guggenheim Museum), Legazpi (Spain), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Graz (Austria), Montpellier (France) Val-de-Reuil (France), Oliveri (Sicily, Italy), Santo Stefano del Sole (Italy), Hannover (Germany), Mannheim (Germany) and Hebertshausen (Bavaria, Germany) have already been nominated for the 2026 Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize.
Nominees from Europe
The Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize celebrates towns and cities that show how people of diverse backgrounds can live together in harmony, creating communities where everyone feels at home. We’re now inviting nominations for places, large or small, that deserve recognition for fostering inclusion and belonging.
The winner of the Immigrant Times Solidarity Prize will not be decided by a panel of experts or a jury, but by members of the public. With the Solidarity Prize Project, we wish to show the human generosity of ordinary people. We hope you will take part.
The shortlist and winner will be announced in 2026. (See our introduction for more details.) Shortlisted communities will have demonstrated a powerful ability to bring people together across differences. The Immigrant Times will feature the most inspiring among them.
Please nominate a place in Europe where solidarity matters
Please email us with the following information
• Your name or how you would like to be known. (We only publish your first name and the initial of your last name.)
• Your place of residence (city and country)
• Name of the town or city, including country, you wish to nominate for the Solidarity Prize.
• Please insert the name of your nominee in your email’s subject line.
• Reasons why you feel your suggested town or city should be shortlisted. (Please provide specific examples rather than generalisations.)
European towns and cities nominated for the Solidarity Prize
Bilbao, Spain
Nominated by Luis B., Bilbao
Bilbao helps immigrants through various initiatives such as the specialised public service Harreragune for guidance, the Bilbao Immigration Council for participation in public policy, and projects like Diversitours to foster integration and understanding. The city also provides resources for housing and social assistance and participates in broader European initiatives on migration.
Nominated by Camila P., Bilbao
Residents of Bilbao assist immigrants through initiatives like Diversitours, where locals serve as "intercultural guides" to share their knowledge and foster understanding. Additionally, the city is involved in a community-based refugee sponsorship pilot programme, facilitating the integration of refugees through community solidarity. Bilbao also provides resources such as a Multilingual Resource Guide for newcomers, which is useful for all inhabitants and helps them navigate essential services like healthcare, housing, and education.
Please send us your comments if you support Bilbao. Please insert Bilbao in the subject line.
Legazpi, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain
Nominated by Mónica M., Legazpi
The municipality of Legazpi, in Gipuzkoa, is a prime example of hospitality, solidarity and interculturalism. Since the Industrial Revolution, when it welcomed numerous migrants from different regions of Spain, Legazpi has forged a collective identity based on coexistence and mutual respect.
Today, its population of just over 8,000 is made up of people from more than fifty nationalities, who live together in an environment characterised by collaboration and social cohesion. Cultural diversity is experienced as a shared asset that reinforces the sense of community and commitment to social justice.
The municipality promotes social inclusion through educational support programmes, assistance in finding employment, and cultural and artistic activities that strengthen coexistence. All these initiatives reflect the firm commitment of the citizens of Legazpi to welcoming, supporting and integrating those who need it most.
The citizens of Legazpi have repeatedly demonstrated their spirit of solidarity through campaigns to collect food, clothing and basic necessities, fundraising for rescue and humanitarian aid organisations, and constant collaboration with NGOs working for human rights and international cooperation.
Because of its history, its present, and its commitment to people suffering the consequences of war, climate change, and poverty, I would like to nominate Legazpi for the 2026 Immigrant Times Solidarity Award, as a symbol of a community that has made solidarity its identity.
Nominated by Braulio R., Legazpi
Creo que Legazpi es un referente en multiculturalidad y en la integración de personas de todo tipo de orígenes, razas y etnias. Debería ser elegido porque representa la convivencia, la diversidad y el respeto mutuo que caracterizan a una sociedad moderna e inclusiva.
Nominated by Dominicana, Legazpi
Hola Soy Dominicana llevo 11 años viviendo en Legazpia y me han acogido como una más estoy Orgullosa de mi pueblo y como he formado parte de muchas de las actividades del pueblo. No lo merecemos!
Nominated by Haritz A., Legazpi
Considero que Legazpi es un ejemplo de solidaridad para el mundo. Tenemos un pueblo multicultural y multirracial. Juntos formamos una familia que se lanza una y otra vez en campañas de recogida de alimentos y acogida. Cada vez que hay un conflicto ayi esta Legazpi a traves de sus muchas asociaciones.
Please send us your comments if you support Legazpi. Please insert Legazpi in the subject line,
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Nominated by Thomas B., Rotterdam
In the heart of Rotterdam, the Pauluskerk stands not only as a church but as a lifeline for those pushed to society’s margins. For decades, it has offered refuge, advocacy, and practical support to undocumented migrants, EU labourers, and homeless individuals navigating precarious lives.
The church’s Steunpunt Ongedocumenteerden (Support Point for the Undocumented) provides legal advice, temporary housing assistance, and pathways to education and healthcare. Its mission is clear: to restore dignity and agency to those excluded from formal systems. Whether helping someone pursue a residence permit, prepare for return, or survive without status, the Pauluskerk centres the perspective of the undocumented.
Beyond services, the Pauluskerk is a space of activism and storytelling. It campaigns for the rights of elderly undocumented people, many of whom have lived in the Netherlands for decades, and recently launched a dedicated shelter to offer them a peaceful old age. It also hosts initiatives like the “Right to Rest” campaign, challenging the closure of shelters and advocating for humane urban policies.
Please send us your comments if you support Rotterdam. Please insert Rotterdam in the subject line.
Graz, Steiermark (Styria), Austria
Nominated by Stefan G., Graz
In a district of Graz often tainted with clichés about migration, poverty, and crime, the Café Amahoro tells a different story. One of courage, entrepreneurial spirit, and the desire for genuine encounters. For the owner Thierry Kanyamurera, it's clear: "Good integration, good music, and good drinks. Amahoro means peace in Kinyarwanda, one of the official languages of Rwanda.
The owner comes from Rwanda, a country scarred by one of the most brutal genocides of the 20th century. His life's journey has led him through countries where the war never ended – it simply took on new forms: armed conflicts, rebellions, and political tensions. Violence was omnipresent. In his later homeland of Congo as well as in Kenya and Zambia. "I saw that there is nothing more important than this: peace." Thierry Kanyamurera knows from his own experience that this is not something to be taken for granted, but something that people must create for each other every day.
Perhaps this deep longing for peaceful coexistence is the heartbeat of Amahoro. A café that not only serves drinks, but carries a message: "You are safe here! You are welcome here!"
Please send us your comments if you support Graz. Please insert Graz in the subject line.
Montpellier, France
Nominated by Nathalie and Arnoud K., Montpellier
Montpellier has a distinguished history in helping migrants to become immigrants and ultimately French citizens. Residents have always been involved in helping migrants and refugees overcome bureaucratic hurdles and settle in. Local associations, such as Cimade and Famille au grand cœur, work directly with migrants, offering legal, social, and psychological support, particularly for unaccompanied minors.
Please send us your comments if you support Montpellier. Please insert Montpellier in the subject line.
Val-de-Reuil, Normandy, France
Nominated by Moubtassim K., Val-de-Reuil
Val-de-Reuil, a City of Solidarity and Unity.
In Val-de-Reuil, solidarity is not a concept; it’s a way of life rooted in everyday actions and shared values. Under the leadership of Mayor Marc-Antoine Jamet, the city has adopted an ambitious, compassionate, and innovative social policy that prioritises mutual aid, inclusion, and human dignity at its core…… Solidarity is expressed in countless ways. The municipality provides concrete assistance: housing, food, clothing, healthcare access, and administrative support. French language classes, cultural workshops, educational support, and job integration programmes help each find their place and voice in the community.
Nominated by Marlène B., Los Angeles, California
I’ve been living in California for 12 years, but I grew up in Val-de-Reuil, and my parents are still living there. I come back every year with the same pleasure in “my” city, where I was first a pupil, then a teacher some years later.
There are some similarities between California and Val-de-Reuil in terms of solidarity and help for migrants. Val-de-Reuil is actively working to reduce poverty and promote social integration. Despite social and economic challenges, the Mayor, Marc-Antoine Jamet and his team and with various organisations, have implemented a lot of initiatives to support vulnerable populations and strengthen community ties.
Nominated by Benhari I., Val-deReuil
À Val-de-Reuil, la solidarité n’est pas un slogan: c’est une réalité vécue chaque jour. Sous l’impulsion de son maire, Marc-Antoine Jamet, la commune déploie une politique ambitieuse, humaine et innovante, qui place l’entraide et l’inclusion au cœur de son action.
Pour les jeunes, tout est mis en œuvre afin de leur donner les moyens de réussir et de s’épanouir. Pour les personnes en difficulté, la ville déploie une aide concrète et efficace. Pour les seniors, Val-de-Reuil met en place des actions destinées à rompre l’isolement et à améliorer leur quotidien. Pour les populations réfugiées, notamment syriennes et afghanes, la commune fait preuve d’une solidarité exemplaire en assurant accueil, suivi et accompagnement, permettant à ces familles de reconstruire leur vie dans la dignité et la fraternité.
À Val-de-Reuil, personne n’est laissé de côté. La ville est devenue un véritable modèle de justice sociale, de solidarité et de fraternité républicaine.
Nominated by Rosa B., Val-de-Reuil
In Val-de-Reuil, numerous solidarity initiatives have been launched to support refugees and help them integrate into the local community. Local associations, volunteers, and the municipality work together to provide essential aid such as food, clothing, and temporary housing. French language classes and cultural workshops are organised to facilitate communication and integration.
The town also promotes social inclusion through educational support, job search assistance, and sports or artistic activities. These actions reflect the strong commitment of Val-de-Reuil’s citizens to welcome and stand by those in need.
The poorest city of the district Eure is also the most generous when the challenge is to help people who need help. The Mayor Marc-Antoine Jamet and his team are working hard to make Val-de-Reuil the city of “Vivre-ensemble “
Nominated by Sanaa M., Val-de-Reuil
Though small and the youngest town in France, Val-de-Reuil has become a true land of welcome and social diversity. Seventy nationalities live together here in harmony and solidarity. Our mayor constantly advocates for unity, coexistence, and respect for all.
Every year, the municipality provides funding to associations engaged in solidarity-based initiatives. A concrete example immediately came to mind: the story of a Ukrainian family who fled the war in March 2022. A distant cousin, living in Val-de-Reuil, reached out to our Mayor Marc-Antoine Jamet, who, without hesitation, mobilised his teams to welcome this family under the best possible conditions
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The city immediately provided them with furnished housing at L’Espages, social support, material assistance (clothing, food, appliances), as well as quick access to healthcare and administrative procedures, in coordination with partner associations such as the CCAS.
And this family is not an isolated case: back in 2015, the city had already welcomed 50 Syrian refugees, as well as around twenty Afghans.
Nominated by Philippe B., Val-de-Reuil
Val-de-Reuil is very young. The city was only created in 1975. From its very beginning, the city welcomed people from other countries as war refugees or political refugees.
Vietnamese and Cambodians came in the late seventies, then North African people and West African people in the eighties. Later, from the beginning of the 90s till today, our city has welcomed refugees of all conflicts: Kurds and Turks, people from the Balkans, Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine.
The result is a city with 60 nationalities, an example of integration. Everything is due to the positive actions from the mayor and his team.
Val-de-Reuil is one of the poorest cities in Normandy, but solidarity is our way of life. ‘Solidarity and Emergency Support (for displaced individuals and refugees)’. The city has helped accommodate displaced Ukrainians and Syrians by providing administrative help, daily necessities, and community integration.
A number of organisations provide help for refugees, like French classes. The municipality provides ‘Employment & Integration Programmes’ and other services to help people in different domains. We are proud to be part of such a city.
Please send us your comments if you support Val-de-Reuil. Please insert Val-de-Reuil in the subject line.
Oliveri, Sicily, Italy
Nominated by S.M., Northern Italy
It’s touching to read the messages of support, where everyone praises kind and friendly people: Oliveri is truly a welcoming community. And even if I am far away, thanks to social media I can follow the words of Mayor Francesco, always unique, humane, and supportive. I can see photos of the beautiful beach and the sea, and through social media I can continue to experience Oliveri and feel part of that wonderful community.
Nominated by N. M., Sicily, Italy
Oliveri is a community that thrives on sharing, friendship, and inclusion. It is a human and cultural heritage in which both the Mayor and the Parish Priest can rightfully take pride, serving as examples of attentive leadership and symbols of a cohesive, supportive, and welcoming reality.
Nominated by Viviane F., France
Oliveri is a magical place: those who visit fall in love with it at first sight. Its inhabitants are warm, caring people who make everyone feel welcome and at ease. In Oliveri, there is a sense of brotherhood among all, which makes it a truly special community. It truly deserves recognition.
Nominated by Gio Q., Varese, Italy
Oliveri is a welcoming town, and it has always been so. Its past, present, and future speak of solidarity, humanity, and vitality. In Oliveri, people live together without distinctions. Oliveri does not judge; Oliveri extends a hand. To welcome, to live, to support—this is Oliveri. A sincere good luck to the Sicilian community.
Nominated by M. T. M. Sicily, Italy
A town where anyone would want to live, and not (only) because Iarrera is its Mayor: people genuinely live well in Oliveri. The sea, peace, tranquillity. A friendly place where everyone knows each other and everyone feels part of something. Where each person keeps alive the flame of community, with no distinction of ethnicity, religion, belief, and so on. Oliveri is not a perfect town — and thankfully so, one might say, since perfection tends to be boring. Rather, it is the people who live there who are perfect: they are the true community, the beating heart, the living centre.
Nominated by G. G., Sicily, Italy
The community of Oliveri, together with the Municipality, is vigilant, attentive, supportive, and able to work as a network. This is how the town has become inclusive, humane, and welcoming. Integration is not just a goal but a tangible reality, as shown by the presence of foreigners who are now part of everyday life in the area.
Nominated by T. A. Toscana, Italy
Oliveri has always welcomed anyone. It welcomed me as well for many years, and I never felt out of place: always part of a warm and caring community.
Nominated by Dany and Giu, Lombardy
Oliveri is the place of my heart: it’s where I met the love of my life, where we found peace, calm, tranquillity, and serenity. It’s where we found collaboration and support.
Nominated by P. R. Italy
Oliveri is beautiful, welcoming, and inclusive. Today it is known and visited by many, and anyone who comes here can feel the warmth of its people: creative, hospitable individuals who make everyone feel at home.
Oliveri is home to me as well, even though I experience it only in the summer. Oliveri and its people are shining examples of beauty and hospitality.
Nominated by C. C., Lombardy
It is true: today Oliveri is recognisable thanks to the energy and vision of its Mayor. But Oliveri is much more than that. It has always been: welcoming, inclusive, a place for everyone. Today it is a community that keeps up with the times, a 2.0 community, proudly portrayed by its citizens through the photos and videos they share on social media, spreading beauty. It lives through events, participation, and the desire to share what it is.
Nominated by Benedetto B. Northern Italy
Today, just as in the past, Oliveri continues to stand out through its reception centres, initiatives for integration and inclusion, volunteer work, recreational events, and collaborative activities. With discretion, the Municipality and its social services staff provide concrete support.Solidarity and sustainability remain the values guiding the community.
Nominated by Giuseppe P., Italy
Oliveri is made of small gestures and sincere care. In Oliveri, no one is a stranger, no one is excluded. We have attentive municipal employees and a mayor who is always present.
Nominated by N. F., Sicily
Oliveri is not a perfect community — perfection does not exist — but it is a community that is there and that acts. It has offered virtuous examples: it has organised games among neighbouring communities, creating a sense of belonging, collaboration, and unity. Oliveri has generated solidarity, welcomes different colours and religions, and fosters inclusion. It is not a homophobic community. Oliveri's citizens share daily photos on Facebook, capturing moments of togetherness, village festivities, and everyday life.
Nominated by Anna, Italy
Oliveri is full of heart. Oliveri is made up of people who, humbly and quietly, away from the spotlight, help, collaborate, and support one another. Oliveri is made up of good people who act without expecting anything in return. Altruism is practised here, always behind the scenes.
Nominated by Chris, Sicily
Oliveri is a special place because here, everyone—regardless of their background—is welcomed with kindness and generosity. The residents, with their smiles and spontaneous willingness to help, make everyone feel at home. It is this genuine humanity that makes Oliveri so unique and livable.
Nominated by Ciccio, Catania, Italy
Oliveri is a small town made of friends, relatives, and acquaintances. It is a place full of precious little things, of care, of strength, of inclusion. It is a town that feels like home — home in the widest and most familiar sense of the word. Oliveri is family.
Nominated by Antonio, Milan, Italy
Oliveri has always been a welcoming town: it has always known how to host, help, create, and collaborate. Today it is a multi-ethnic place, home to asylum seekers, Romanians, Argentinians, and many others. Today, Oliveri is a beautiful town because its people are beautiful.
Nominated by F. F., Turin, Italy
Anyone who has lived in Oliveri, whether for a short or long time, cannot help but support it. I spent my youth in Oliveri years filled with carefree moments, friends, relatives, and familiar faces. Oliveri is everything people say about it: Oliveri is home. It has always been that way through the years, and it still is today.
Nominated by Stephen, Sicily
Oliveri is a small and welcoming town, not only for its appearance but above all for the warmth and kindness of its inhabitants. It is a community marked by humility and generosity. The people of Oliveri have distinguished themselves through their spirit of cooperation — as seen in the solidarity days, the community games and events, acts of kindness, and the initiatives for the care and adoption of public spaces.
Nominated by Pat, La Plata, Argentina
I live in La Plata, Argentina, and it is with deep gratitude and admiration that I nominate the city of Oliveri, Sicily, Italy, for the Solidarity Prize. My son lived alone in Oliveri for almost a year while managing the process of obtaining his Italian citizenship. During that time, the city became his home - and, through him, it became mine as well. I will always remain profoundly grateful for the generosity, kindness, and sense of community he found there.
Nominated by Francesco A., Oliveri
I vote for Oliveri, as a solidarity prize. As a player and member of the Oliveri town soccer team, I believe the town is a perfect place to share a passion for sport, and the community cares about its own kids and those who come from outside, creating a positive environment for the people and the players I hope there will always be more space for our friends and more space for sports facilities, soccer fields, and sports in general.
Nominated by Antonina G., Messina, Sicily
Oliveri brilla e fa brillare la dignità del valore di ogni essere umano e crea una splendente tela umana nel cielo della vita.
Nominated by Maria S., Italy
Oliveri is a welcoming and sunny place, and the children from all over integrate well because they are welcomed with love.
Nominated by Davide, Catania, Sicily
Oliveri does not know any discrimination. The people show solidarity through many small daily acts, many human gestures that make all the difference.
Nominated by Angelino F., Messina, Sicily
Oliveri is a wonderful town, made up of kind and genuine people. It isn’t perfect, as no place in the world is, but its residents stand out for their warmth and willingness to help. They never hold back you can see it in their volunteer work, in the Christmas, Easter, and Carnival celebrations, in the patronal feasts, in church life, and in the many social and recreational activities.
In Oliveri, people live together in harmony, without distinctions of faith, without homophobia, and without social discrimination. All colors and all kinds of diversity coexist under the same sky, in an atmosphere of respect and solidarity.
Nominated by Santi G., Catania, Sicily
Today, I wish to express my sincere admiration for Oliveri. Even though I do not live there, I feel that this town has the rare gift of restoring balance to both heart and mind. Oliveri is a safe, welcoming place, rich in many small yet profound virtues.
Oliveri is, above all, its people. And this community stands as a shining example one that deserves to be known, appreciated, and, above all, celebrated.
Nominated by Rita S., Rome, Italy
However, today is not the time to praise a single individual, but rather an entire community. Today, I wish to pay tribute to Oliveri.
Oliveri is not a perfect town, but it is a profoundly human one. Its citizens truly love it, and this affection is evident in countless small gestures: in Mr. Franco’s now-famous “good mornings” on social media, in the constructive reports and comments, in the praise, and in the many kind words shared on the contest’s page.
The people of Oliveri act, participate, and engage. They are inclusive not merely constructing bridges, but breaking down barriers. Oliveri is a town that welcomes you and captures your heart a place that stays with you.
Nominated by A.R., Catania, Sicily
I wish to praise the town of Oliveri, which in my view fully reflects the values and principles of your project. Oliveri is a vibrant and cohesive community, which I have the privilege of experiencing during the summer and would gladly live in year-round.
Oliveri is the “next-door town”: its residents are genuine, balanced, and approachable, creating a harmonious and welcoming environment. It is truly a pleasure to see such small communities competing for recognition of this kind. I am grateful for the opportunity to share these reflections.
Nominated by Giovanna, Turin, Italy
Oliveri is my beloved town. Its people are truly unique and special. I have spent my summers here for a lifetime, and every time it feels like coming home. Its people are simply amazing: in Oliveri, everyone feels part of something beautiful, authentic, and real.
Nominated by N. F., Sicily
In my opinion, Oliveri is a town that fully deserves to be included in this list of candidates. Today, its name is recognizable also thanks to the face of its mayor, but Oliveri is much more than that.
Here, hospitality, humility, and empathy form the foundation of the community. Here, everyone rolls up their sleeves and contributes with dedication. Oliveri has always been a town deeply rooted in the values of hospitality, collaboration, and solidarity.
Nominated by Giuseppe, Italy
Oliveri is a small town, but one with a big heart. It is a gentle place, where help arrives quietly, and where many people reach out to one another every day.
Nominated by N.S., Sicily
Finding Oliveri in this global context is truly extraordinary. This is finally an award that honours not just one individual, but the entire country and its community. Oliveri fully embodies the values and goals of your competition: it's a place everyone would love to live in, a town and its people capable of touching hearts and minds.
Oliveri represents a true example of an inclusive, supportive, and profoundly human community. A simple Google search is enough to discover the human and social value of this small town.
Nominated by Giuseppe, Sicily
I cittadini di Oliveri, oggi come ieri, sono sempre stati unici. Un paese di mare e di campagna, fatto di persone umili. L’umiltà di ogni singolo cittadino è ciò che crea comunità, accoglienza, inclusione. Duemila persone che si conoscono, che accolgono, che aiutano e che fanno tanto per far vivere Oliveri bene. La storia della comunità oliverese è antica e si è sempre distinta per essere una comunità unica, dal cuore generoso.
Nominated by Domenica M., Oliveri
Today, I want to express my support for the Oliveri community: a community that represents an authentic example of humanity, solidarity, and kindness. Small communities like Oliveri, inclusive and welcoming, where bridges aren't needed because inclusion already exists, deserve to be known, talked about, and shared.
Nominated by Lorenzo V., Oliveri
Supporting Oliveri is, above all, an act of love toward all its residents — they are the true living soul of this town. Oliveri is a unique community: vibrant, empathetic, united, profoundly human.
Nominated by Firmado R., Oliveri, Sicily
I arrived in Oliveri and never left. Being a foreigner, a migrant in a small Sicilian village, has been a real discovery: here I feel completely integrated. I work, I participate in social initiatives and village events. In Oliveri, no one feels alone.
Nominated by Stella, Sicily
Oliveri is more than a place; it is a way of living. It is the heartbeat of its citizens, an example of how unity and generosity can make even the smallest of towns truly great.
Nominated by Daria D., Sicily
Oliveri is a town that shows compassion even to peoples at war, with the sensitivity and empathy that characterise its roughly two thousand residents. Oliveri is an example of kindness, humanity, and solidarity, a community to know, to discover, and to love.
Nominated by Bernard, Argentina
In Oliveri, I found a second home. I am Argentinean, and I spent the most beautiful months of my life in this Sicilian community. In Oliveri, I met extraordinary people: humane, sensitive, and welcoming…….I am now in Spain, but my heart is there: among the streets of Oliveri and on its charming beach, surrounded by the warmth of its inhabitants. I support Oliveri with all my heart!
Nominated by Tiziana, Switzerland
On ne peut pas ne pas soutenir Oliveri. Oliveri, c’est la famille. C’est là que je passe mes étés, et c’est là que je vis certains des plus beaux moments de l’année…..Oliveri a toujours été une ville accueillante : elle a toujours ouvert ses bras, elle a donné sans compter, sans jamais faire de différence.
Nominated by Fede F., Switzerland
On voit clairement qu’à Oliveri, l’échange et la solidarité font partie du quotidien. C’est pourquoi les citoyens d’Oliveri méritent d’être représentés dans cette compétition.
Nominated by Palola M., Argentina
En Oliveri encontré personas maravillosas, siempre dispuestas a ayudar sin rodeos. En Oliveri encontré un segundo hogar. Nunca me sentí solo. Escribo desde Argentina: Oliveri fue para mí un hermoso descubrimiento.
Nominated by V. D., Argentina
Mi estancia en Oliveri fue extraordinaria. La gente fue amable y acogedora, me ayudaron muchísimo y solo puedo hablar maravillas de ellos……..Oliveri es un pueblo acogedor, donde la gente es amable, solidaria y compasiva, especialmente con los extranjeros. Hay un fuerte sentido de comunidad.
Nominated by Alberto, Sicily
Oliveri is a place where people of all backgrounds live together harmoniously. For this reason, it deserves to be nominated for this award. Oliveri is often mentioned for the qualities of its mayor, who certainly deserves much. But I believe that Oliveri's true strength lies in its people: they are the heart and soul of the town. It's wonderful that there is an award dedicated to the community, not just to the mayor. He is certainly capable, but he is also fortunate to have a humane, supportive, active, inclusive, and united population.
Nominated by Alessandro T., Italy
Oliveri è sempre stata una comunità solidale, umana e accogliente. Ricordo i tempi del gruppo folk, quando attraversava lo Stivale portando con sé un messaggio di integrazione e dialogo tra culture diverse.
Nominated by Very G., Sicily
Sostengo con piacere Oliveri. È un piccolo esempio di collaborazione e buone pratiche. Ci sono tanti volontari, cittadini che partecipano con impegno e altri che condividono ogni giorno foto e saluti su Facebook, portando un sorriso a residenti e non. Le immagini raccontano i momenti più belli della comunità: feste, eventi e ricordi importanti. Oliveri è da sempre una cittadina unita e solidale.
Nominated by Sicilia S.,
Oliveri è comunità.
È un paese tranquillo, dove il calore delle persone fa sentire tutti a casa. È le feste di paese, le processioni, il Natale, la Pasqua, il Carnevale, l’infiorata: momenti che uniscono, anche chi viene da lontano.
Nominated by Daniele F., Milan, Italy
Oliveri is a model of integration. The town's sports team brings together young people of different nationalities, united by a passion for sports and mutual respect. The children respond enthusiastically to the educational and recreational initiatives promoted by the mayor, who, with creativity and dedication, manages to engage the younger generations in a journey of civic growth.
Nominated by Ale C., Sicily
Oliveri has always opened its doors to foreigners, guests, and international twinning projects, making the encounter between cultures a true enrichment. Art, folk music, interculturality, and social commitment have long been an integral part of its identity.
Nominated by Roby, Catania, Sicily
Oliveri is a place where a sense of belonging translates into concrete actions, thanks to the unity of citizens, associations, local businesses, and institutions.
The Solidarity Building Days, now in their ninth year, are the ultimate expression of this: a regular event where public spaces are regenerated through the voluntary work of dozens of people. An event that has become "extraordinary normality," as stated on the Municipality's official website.
Nominated by Nina, Turin
You only need to attend the performances of the local theatre company, amateur but extraordinary, to understand that Oliveri is a place without borders. On that stage, there's a sense of inclusion: pensioners, young people, children, women, and men, all together, without distinction, offer a theatrical experience capable of capturing the nuances of diversity, creating profound connections and an expressive and universal body language.
Nominated by Dona P., Sicily
Oliveri is a festive, inclusive, and supportive community.
Nominated by Ana V., Turin
Oliveri is welcoming. You go to Mass and feel part of a true community. You stroll the streets and meet asylum seekers, Argentinians, tourists: all perfectly integrated.
Nominated by Salvo E., Catania, Sicily
In an Italy often lost and disillusioned, Oliveri has transformed itself into a laboratory of concrete solidarity, civic pedagogy, and ethical commitment. Here, great words don't remain on posters: they walk the streets, get their hands dirty, sit next to children, and bend down to pick up a piece of plastic on the beach.
Oliveri is not just a place. It is a community that has chosen to walk together. And its mayor is not just any administrator. He is a man who has decided to combine the power of words with the strength of gestures.
Nominated by Remo, Sicily
Walking through the town's streets, you can sense the warmth. At soccer matches, you witness something unique: citizens of all backgrounds—white, black, young, old—united by a single passion: their passion for the town's team, which is profoundly multiethnic and inclusive. At the beach, you meet your Argentine friends; Elsewhere, asylum seekers are integrated into everyday life, workers and full-fledged citizens. And then there are the decorations created by the "special" children, demonstrating how inclusivity can become tangible beauty.
Nominated by Salvatore, living outside Italy
Oliveri today represents a replicable model of a small, inclusive and supportive community, capable of implementing public policies geared towards the common good, sustainability, care for the local area, and human relationships, even with limited resources. Oliveri is a place where solidarity is not the exception, but the rule; it's not an emergency, but a widespread culture. It's an open, welcoming, and dialoguing town.
For all these reasons, I believe that Oliveri fully meets the criteria set out in the call for proposals and deserves consideration for the 2026 Immigrant Times Solidarity Award.
Nominated by Some E., Sicily
The Solidarity Prize was created to reward those who build bridges. Those who promote hospitality. Those who keep the flame of humanity alive, even in the darkest times. Oliveri does all this. Every day.
Nominated by Alfredo, Catania, Sicily
We believe that the Municipality of Oliveri fully embodies the spirit of the Solidarity Prize, despite being a small community. The symbolic and practical value of what happens in Oliveri is immense, and its experience could be an inspiration for other communities in Europe.
Nominated by Edigo C., Oliveri, Sicily
Oliveri has become a community where no one is invisible. Where every gesture, even the smallest, counts. Where kindness is a form of resistance.Oliveri teaches us that it doesn't take millions to change a country All it takes is a bike, an outstretched hand, and the courage to start.
Nominated by Marco, Italy
Oliveri è un esempio concreto di accoglienza, integrazione e cittadinanza attiva. Nonostante le dimensioni ridotte, il paese si distingue per il suo spirito profondamente umano e solidale, che ha permesso la costruzione di un tessuto sociale inclusivo e partecipato.
Negli anni, Oliveri ha accolto persone di diversa etnia, che si sono integrate perfettamente nella vita quotidiana del paese, contribuendo alla crescita culturale ed economica della comunità. In un tempo in cui le sfide legate all’inclusione sono sempre più urgenti, Oliveri rappresenta un modello virtuoso di convivenza pacifica e cooperazione.
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Santo Stefano del Sole, Avellino, Italy
Nominated by Antonella, C., Santo Stefano del Sole
The Municipality of Santo Stefano del Sole, in collaboration with the social cooperatives INTRA and HIRPINIA, officially launches the "COMMUNITY BRIDGES" project. The initiative aims to promote social inclusion, active participation, and solidarity through concrete actions to support families and foreign citizens living in the municipality.
Educational workshops, Italian language lessons, and activities dedicated to preventing school dropouts, combating bullying, and fighting educational poverty are planned. An important step towards building community bridges, welcoming, and shared growth. The project will continue until December 2026.
Nominated by Francesco F., Santo Stefano del Sole
This year, Santo Stefano del Sole celebrated an extraordinary milestone: its 500th anniversary. This significant anniversary was not only a time of celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on its roots and identity.Among the most significant initiatives, the Festival delle Radici played a central role. This event was born to strengthen the deep bond between the local community and Santo Stefano del Sole's emigrants, forced in the past to leave the town in search of new opportunities.
Nominated by Stefania R., Santo Stefano del Sole
Sicuramente la comunità di Santo Stefano del Sole merita questo premio. Una comunità fatta di cittadini che hanno messo al primo posto la gentilezza, il sorriso e l'accoglienza. La porta del sindaco è sempre aperta sia quando si parla di problematiche sociali sia quando si parla di altre scelte politiche. Non c'è bisogno di bussare, la porta è già aperta. per tutti anche per l'avversario più acerrimo.
Nominated by De Mita G., Santo Stefano del Sole
The community of Santo Stefano del Sole, a living example of solidarity, cohesion, and civic commitment. For their ability to unite in times of difficulty and daily challenges, demonstrating an extraordinary spirit of participation, hospitality, and care for the most vulnerable. A recognition of the human and collective value of a town that knows how to be a family, that leaves no one behind, and that daily builds, with simple and authentic gestures, the profound meaning of living together.
Nominated by Lepore A., Santa Stefano del Sole
I servizi sociali del comune con l'assessore delegato seguono ogni caso con amore e attenzione. In un piccolo paese sono tante le persone fragili, soprattutto tanti anziani che spesso vivono soli perché hanno i figli lontano per lavoro. Per ogni persona bisognosa vi è l'assistenza necessaria, si parte dal Assistenza attraverso il sistema SALVAVITA, dalla presenza quotidiana di una persona che ogni giorno va a trovare la persona anziana e provvede alle faccende domestiche, ma vi è anche un servizio Ambulanza, oltre che un bonus alimentare, bonus bollette e un numero verde 24h su 24h a cui poter chiamare in caso di necessità.
Nominated by De Luca Vincenzo, Santo Stefano del Sole
Santo Stefano del Sole è un piccolo paese di poco piu' di 2000 abitanti, ma è soprattutto una grande comunità che ha saputo integrare cittadini provenienti da ogni parte del mondo dalla Cina al Brasile. Nella scuola di Santo Stefano ci sono tre bambini speciali che tutto il Paese tratta come propri figli a cui è stato dedicata una festa chiamata festa dei super eroi. Ogni anno poi viene Premiato dal sindaco Gerardo Santoli un piccolo imprenditore del posto per la funzione sociale che svolge ogni giorno e per aver deciso di aprire la propria attività in un piccolo centro.
Nominated by Gerardo S., Santo Stefano del Sole
Reasons for my nomination:
Santo Stefano del Sole ha ricevuto il premio paese della gentilezza ( anno 2022) , il premio paese sostenibile (anno 2024) e il premio paese del sorriso (anno 2025).
• Perchè tutti questi premi?
• Perchèin paese c'è sempre qualcuno che ti accoglie con un sorriso.
• Perchè la porta del sindaco è sempre aperta,
• perchè c'è una comunità che celebra i matrimoni in piazza chiunque siano gli sposi senza guardare provenienza, religione o sesso.
• Perchè questa comunità ha fatto dell'accoglienza la sua forza.
• Perchè ha difeso la sua scuola quando rischiava di essere chiusa.
• Perchè c'è un circolo di anziani che organizza tornei di bocce a cui partecipano tutti.
• Perchè c'è un canto popolare " la rosamarina pasquale" che viene insegnato a tutti I piccoli e ogni anno a Pasqua viene portato in tutte le case.
Santo Stefano del Sole merita questo premio perchè fa della solidarietà il suo modo di vivere, se conosci una persona a mezzogiorno non ti offre il caffè ti invita a pranzo a casa sua.
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Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
Nominated by Gisela H., Hannover
Hanover has rightly earned a reputation as one of Germany's most immigrant-friendly cities. Numerous non-profit organisations support refugees in finding a new home in the city, including Caritas Hanover. The Catholic organisation believes that no one finds it easy to leave their home country. “Caritas welcomes migrants and helps them settle in.”
Nominated, by Daniel T., Hannover
Belit Onay, the mayor of Hanover, has been campaigning for the integration of refugees. He recently said that they are people who want to work and become part of our urban community. “We should help them do that, instead of always talking about deportation.”
Please send us your comments if you support Hannover. Please insert Hannover in the subject line.
Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Nominated by Elli F., Mannheim
Mannheim is a cosmopolitan city where newcomers, regardless of their origin, are welcomed and valued. We, the citizens of the city, understand how difficult it is for people from other parts of the world to settle in and get used to our customs and traditions. We help them because we can also learn a lot from them.
Please send us your comments if you support Mannheim. Please insert Mannheim in the subject line.
Hebertshausen, Bavaria, Germany
Nominated by Linda S.-P., Munich
In an affirmation of grassroots solidarity, Richard Reischl, mayor of Hebertshausen in Bavaria, has been awarded the 2025 Human Rights Prize. The recognition celebrates Reischl’s unwavering commitment to refugee rights and inclusive municipal governance.
Under Reischl’s leadership, the 6,000-resident town of Hebertshausen welcomed up to five times more asylum seekers than officially allocated during the peak years of 2013 to 2016. Working closely with the Helferkreis Asyl volunteer network, Reischl championed early access to employment, education, and social participation for newcomers—transforming integration from policy into practice.
Mayor Reischl was praised for demonstrating that fear and division can be countered with trust and cooperation. His approach, rooted in pragmatic solidarity, offers a compelling model for democratic resilience at the local level, especially in times when public discourse around migration is increasingly polarised and angry.
Please send us your comments if you support Hebertshausen. Please insert Hebertshausen in the subject line.
On other pages: Introduction to the Solidarity Prize || Nominees from North America. || Nominess from Europe ||
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