BRNO 2050 and a multicultural future: a shared city, a shared responsibility

Brno is not just a city. It is a living organism that grows, transforms, and seeks balance between its past and its future. A city that refuses to settle for what was and instead asks: Who do we want to be? And how do we want to live together? The  #brno2050 strategy is not a technocratic plan – it is an attempt to capture the ethos of a city that refuses to leave anyone behind.

A City with Vision and Entrepreneurial Purpose

Brno has chosen to shape its future together. The #brno2050 strategy is built on three key pillars:

• Quality of life for everyone,

• Sustainable and diverse economy,

• Effective city governance focused on collaboration.

But this is more than just words. It is about the courage to envision a city unafraid to be cosmopolitan – a city that sees diversity as a strength, not a threat. A city where foreigners are not guests, but co-authors.

Strategy as a Compass, Not a Map

Brno is home to over 66,000 foreigners, who make up approximately 11% of the city’s population. These individuals come from 155 countries around the world – from Ukraine and Slovakia to the Philippines, India, and Brazil. Brno is thus becoming one of the most diverse cities in Central Europe. This is not a challenge – it is an opportunity.

The #brno2050 framework is supported by other strategic points with specific responsibilities:

• The Strategy for the Integration of Foreigners in Brno – focused on equal access, language education, anti-discrimination, and community support.

• The Strategy for Business Support – with an emphasis on small enterprises and non-profits, often led by people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

• The Strategy for Attracting and Retaining Skilled Workers – reflecting the need for teachers, doctors, researchers, and artists.

• The Strategy for Social Inclusion – to ensure no one becomes invisible and that social health remains strong.
  

This network of strategies creates space for a city where everyone can find their place. In this context, the Multicultural Center Brusinka has become a living nerve center – a point of connection between institutions, schools, families, and communities. It offers not only practical support but also a space for natural closeness that heals distrust.

Shared Events as a Mirror of Courage

This Thursday, our Center will host a special event – Stories in 10, organized in cooperation with Shaun Copple from Brno Breakthru, this time on the theme What has living in Brno taught you so far in 2025?

People of various nationalities and generations will share their personal stories about what life in Brno means to them. The event strengthens trust, empathy, and mutual understanding – the very values that make a city truly human.

At the Quo vadis, Brno? festival, which this year takes place in public space, the discussion goes far beyond urban planning. It opens up questions about everyday life, such as:

• How will the city inform residents about the Strategy for Supporting Foreigners?

• How will it tackle prejudice and xenophobia?

• Can the city open an affordable school for foreigners and bilingual children?

• Will the City Hall support live English instruction for locals, led by expats?

• How will Brno address hidden racial segregation – even in schools?

These are not questions from another world. These are our challenges. And moments of public dialogue like these show that the city recognizes its responsibility.

Brno Expat Fair also transforms public space. In 2024, it was visited by over 2,000 people – not only foreigners but also locals. People come for information, for atmosphere, for reassurance that they are not alone. 95 exhibitors, dozens of languages, hundreds of faces. This is Brno in its open form.

Information as a Remedy Against Polarization

No strategy will succeed if people do not understand it and embrace it. That’s why we believe a communication campaign for locals is essential – not just an online message, but a society-wide conversation. It should be grounded in the values most Czechs and Moravians share – family, fairness, safety, and clarity.

For example, according to a 2023 survey by STEM, family is the most frequently cited core value by 82% of respondents. Research by CVVM (2022) confirms that safety and justice rank among the highest priorities people expect from their society and state. In the #brno2050 strategy, key values identified by residents include fairness, clarity, and trust in public institutions.

Only then can we prevent society from cracking. Fear of “the other” often arises where there is a lack of information and recognition. Locals fear being overlooked. Foreigners fear being discriminated against. Yet often they long for the same thing – to be recognized as part of the whole.

A Smart City Is Not About Data, But Trust

Brno develops its smart city concept in a unique way – it sees technology as a means, not an end. According to the city portal in.brno.cz, the key is a “Human Smart City” – an approach that emphasizes quality of life, resident participation, and trust in public services.

A truly smart city is not just one that digitizes transport, but one that strengthens interpersonal relationships, supports trust, and creates space for care and appreciation.

When a development strategy is combined with empathy, a city can emerge that is not only economically competitive, but also humanly sustainable – a place where “we” truly means everyone.

In the next article, we’ll explore why gratitude and recognition may form the foundation of a healthy and resilient society.

And what do you think?

Can city leadership fulfill its commitments? Will Brno succeed in becoming a sustainable and tolerant European city? Come and share your opinion with us. Every voice counts.