Signing ceremony of the "Gemengepakt vum interkulturellen Zesummeliewen" and official handover of the "Biergerguide"

On Wednesday 2 July 2025, the municipalities of Bissen, Heffingen and Pétange signed the "Gemengepakt vum interkulturellen Zesummeliewen" (municipal pact for intercultural living together) with the Minister for Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, Max Hahn. 

By signing the "Gemengepakt", the aforementioned municipalities commit to a multi[1]annual and participatory process that emphasises access to information, the participation of all people living or working in the municipality and the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination.

Following the signing ceremony of the "Gemengepakt", Minister Max Hahn presented the municipalities of Flaxweiler, Junglinster, Mertert-Wasserbillig and Vianden with their personalised "Biergerguide” (Citizen's guide). Developed in collaboration between the municipality and the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees, the "Biergerguide" is particularly useful for all new arrivals to the municipality, helping them to find their way around and feel at home, as well as taking their first steps towards active participation in local living together. The guide provides information on the services offered by the municipality, as well as details of how to get involved.

In his speech, Minister Max Hahn thanked the political leaders of the 7 municipalities present for their commitment to intercultural living together and for their recognition of diversity as an asset for the Luxembourgish society. "Whether in the context of the "Gemengepakt” or the development of a "Biergerguide", the idea is always to motivate people to get involved in their municipality. My ministry supports and accompanies you closely in this process, and you can all take advantage of the opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from each other". 

The "Gemengepakt" (municipal pact for intercultural living together)

The law of 23 August 2023 on intercultural living together created the "Gemengepakt" (municipal pact for intercultural living together), 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, 39 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) and
• an annual grant of €5 for each resident of the municipality and each cross[1]border 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.

For more information, visit https://gemengen.zesummeliewen.lu or send an e-mail to gemengen.zesummeliewen@fm.etat.lu.

The "Biergerguide" (citizen's guide)

The "Biergerguide" is drawn up by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees in collaboration with SYVICOL and interested municipalities. Standardised in five languages, it consists of two parts: The information section, "I discover my municipality", invites you to discover the municipality by providing information on its make-up, local infrastructure, education, culture and associations, as well as an overview of the activities on offer. The second part, "I get involved in my municipality", is interactive and fun, offering ideas for getting involved and interacting with fellow citizens, through volunteering, learning, practising languages or getting involved in politics.

So far, 38 municipalities have received their personalised "Biergerguide". Guides for 5 additional municipalities are currently in the elaboration phase.

The "Biergerguide" was drawn up in alphabetical order and by expression of interest. Over the coming months, each municipality involved in the project will receive a personalised guide.

Press release by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception of Refugees