Credit: MFSVA

The signing ceremony of the "Gemengepakt vum interkulturellen Zesummeliewen" (municipal pact for intercultural living together) between the Naturpark Öewersauer (Upper Sûre Nature Park) - representing the municipalities of Boulaide, Esch-sur-Sûre, Lac de la Haute-Sûre, Winseler and Goesdorf - and Luxembourg's Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn, took place on Wednesday 23 July 2025, in the presence of SYVICOL committee member Paul Engel.

As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees and the SYVICOL intermunicipal union, the ceremony kicked off on the banks of Insenborn with a word of welcome from the Mayor of Esch-sur-Sûre, Laurent Hilger. Participants were then invited by the Naturpark Öewersauer to take a solar-powered boat across the lake to the Liefrange water sports centre for the formal part of the ceremony.

In their speeches, Marco Koeune, Mayor of Lac de la Haute-Sûre, and Jeff Gangler, Mayor of Boulaide and President of the Naturpark Öewersauer, emphasised the importance of a regional approach to intercultural coexistence: "Working together under the aegis of the Naturpark Öewersauer will help us to combine resources and efforts towards a common goal, that of greater social cohesion and a better quality of life for the people who live and work in the region".

In turn, Roger Faber, President of Inter-Actions asbl, thanked the Naturpark Öewersauer for entrusting the coordination of the "Gemengepakt" to his association, while Paul Engel, member of the SYVICOL committee, emphasised the significance of the promotion of intercultural cohesion in Luxembourg: "The main idea of the 'Gemengepakt' is clear: our diversity is our strength, especially in these times of crises in Europe and around the world. Here in Luxembourg, we know how important European values still are. We are committed to a peaceful coexistence, tolerance and the promotion of diversity".

In his speech, Minister Hahn congratulated the political leaders of the municipalities in the Naturpark Öewersauer for their commitment to living together and for their recognition of diversity as an asset for Luxembourg society, stating: "With the signing of the 'Gemengepakt', concrete actions can be developed to ensure that residents feel more “at home” and are actively involved in the social, cultural and political life of the region. My ministry will be working closely with you in this process and will be offering local authorities the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from each other".

By signing the "Gemengepakt", the Naturpark Öewersauer is expressing its commitment to a multi-year process based on three pillars: access to information, the participation of all people living or working on its territory, and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination.

The Naturpark Öewersauer is supported in this process by the ministry's advisors on intercultural living together, working closely with the partner organisations CEFIS and ASTI.

The authorities recalled that the law of 23 August 2023 on intercultural living together created the "Gemengepakt", which helps to implement intercultural living together at the local level.

Since the law on intercultural living together came into force on 1 January 2024, 44 municipalities have signed the "Gemengepakt".

The "Gemengepakt" is divided into thematic cycles, which take place in five stages: political commitment; assessment of the current situation; citizen workshops to develop concrete actions; implementation of concrete actions; evaluation of the work carried out.

The implementation of the "Gemengepakt" is closely supported by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, its official partners ASTI and CEFIS, and five advisers on intercultural living together. The latter provide their expertise and share good practices between the participating municipalities. Other partners, in particular local players, are called upon to get involved and participate in the development and implementation of intercultural living together in their municipality.

Under the "Gemengepakt" initiative, various forms of assistance are available to municipalities:

  • an annual grant of up to €30,000 per municipality to cover the costs of a municipal pact coordinator;
  • an annual grant of €3,000, €5,000 or €8,000 to cover the costs of implementing the municipal pact (depending on the number of local councillors);
  • an annual grant of €5 for each resident of the municipality and each crossborder worker whose place of work is in the municipality and who is a signatory of the citizens' pact at 31 December of the current year.