The European Union is based on a set of common, fundamental values, which include respect for human rights, dignity, freedom, equality and the rights of people belonging to minorities. These values can be challenged at times by occurrences of intolerance, racism and discrimination. Many European policy initiatives – such as the EU Youth Strategy or the Council Recommendation on promoting common values, inclusive education, and the European dimension of teaching – call on Member States to foster competences for intercultural awareness and for combatting all forms of discrimination.

In two-thirds of the surveyed countries, top-level authorities organise or support initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural awareness and combatting discrimination among young people both in formal and non-formal education.

Initiatives in formal education include efforts to address these issues through curriculum subjects, such as citizenship education or intercultural education, or to provide educational resources or training for teachers and other staff in education institutions.

Initiatives in the field of non-formal education include dedicated programmes or funding of projects that encourage intercultural learning and dialogue, awareness raising campaigns and websites, handbooks and training for employers, schools, professionals and citizens more generally.