Brno: Building a Multicultural Ecosystem for Civic Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence

Building a Multicultural Ecosystem for Civic Dialogue and Peaceful Coexistence involved the gradual development of an inclusive, community-based practice aimed at strengthening democratic culture, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence in Brno. Implemented at the local level since 2020, the practice responds to increasing social diversity, limited accessibility of formal participation mechanisms, and declining trust among different social and cultural groups.  

The practice began with cultural and educational community activities that created low-threshold opportunities for people to meet across linguistic, cultural, and social boundaries. Over time, it evolved into an ecosystem that integrates civic dialogue, informal civic education, and participatory processes into everyday community life. Rather than relying on formal institutional tools, it uses culture, creativity, and facilitated dialogue as entry points to democratic engagement. 

Throughout its development, the practice adapted to major contextual changes, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival of refugees from Ukraine in 2022. Methodologies were adjusted to maintain continuity, accessibility, and trust through small-scale, flexible, and inclusive formats. Since 2025, the practice has focused on consolidating community ties and strengthening democratic practices through local and international cooperation, responding to the growing diversity of society. The main target groups include local residents, migrants, refugees, minorities, young people, and women who are often underrepresented in formal civic processes. 

Participation is enabled through facilitated workshops, community dialogues, cultural and educational activities, and informal deliberation spaces, supported by multilingual communication and inclusive facilitation. The practice has strengthened social connections, civic confidence, and cooperation among participants and stakeholders. While it does not directly change public policies, it complements existing municipal frameworks by embedding participatory democracy in everyday community practices. Its key contribution lies in creating resilient, transferable models for inclusive civic engagement rooted in trust, adaptability, and shared responsibility.

For more information: https://www.brusinkabrno.cz/

https://www.oidp.net/docs/repo/doc1831.pdf