“Igualtats Connectades (Equality Connected)” is a pioneering project that raises intersectional approach as applied in local public policies about non-discrimination. With this pilot project we want to advance in the implementation of intersectionality, since it is a perspective that has been theorized but there is little experience with implementing it in specific policies.

It is an approach that takes into account the interaction between the strands of inequality such as gender, origin, social class, sexuality, among others. Usually these areas are analyzed in isolation, without taking into account that the position of a person is the result of different lines of inequality overlapping. In fact, the intersection of different areas creates new inequalities and discrimination that go beyond the mere sum of these. Therefore, it is necessary to meet this complexity in developing more inclusive policies.

This project aims precisely to investigate the possibilities of applying the principle of equality and non-discrimination in an intersectional way, in the context of a local authority, the City of Terrassa, and dialogue with civil society. The method includes collecting international experiences, training municipal staff and the public, as well as an international conference which will share the learning outcomes. All this will enable a process of reflection that will materialize in a collection of resources, with the idea that the experience is transferable to other administrations and European cities.

The project started on 1st of January 2018 and will culminate in an international conference in February 2019. The initiative, which will be developed between January 2018 and the first half of 2019, is co-funded by the Program for Rights, Equality and Citizenship of the European Commission and implemented by the City of Terrassa, the University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC) and CEPS Projectes Socials.