Regulation on Integration and Multicultural Cohesion, of November 14, 2017 - Executing Authority

[2] 1 The Department of Economy and Social Cohesion (hereinafter: the department) is responsible for implementing the Law on Integration and Multicultural Cohesion, dated August 26, 1996 (hereinafter: the law), and its implementing provisions.

2. The Multicultural Cohesion Service (hereinafter: the service) is the executing body of the department. It is headed by the Delegate for Foreigners (hereinafter: the delegate).

**Intercultural Integration**

Intercultural integration refers to a perspective that involves reciprocity, openness, and the ability to adapt for all stakeholders in a diverse society. Based on the respect of individual rights, it includes actions to ensure non-discrimination.

1. The Interdepartmental Coordination Group (hereinafter: the Coordination Group) harmonizes and coordinates cantonal activities related to cantonal policy concerning migration, intercultural integration, and the prevention of discrimination.

2. It is chaired by the head of the department and vice-chaired by the delegate.

3. Members of the Coordination Group are appointed by the State Council.

4. It includes at least one representative from the compulsory education service, the post-compulsory education and orientation service, the social action service, the adult and youth protection service, the public health service, the employment service, the Neuchâtel police, the justice service, the legal service, the migration service, the human resources service, the family and equality policy office, as well as the statistics service.

5. The Coordination Group meets at least once a year, upon the president's convocation.

6. The secretariat of the Coordination Group is provided by the service.

1 The Community for Multicultural Integration and Cohesion (hereinafter: the community) consists of a maximum of 25 members; including notably

a) a president and a vice-president;

b) one or more persons representing the municipalities and proposed by the Association of Neuchâtel Municipalities (ACN);

c) one or more persons representing employees;

d) one or more persons representing employers;

e) one or more persons expert in matters of migration, intercultural integration, and multicultural cohesion;

f) persons representing foreign communities or originating from migration.

2. The delegate and the head of the migration service participate in the meetings with an advisory vote;

3. The president, vice-president, and the members of the community are appointed by the Council of State for a term of four years.

4. Alternate members may be appointed by the Council of State. In the event of absence, the alternate member replaces the appointed member at the meetings.

1. The community meets in plenary session at least twice a year, including once in the presence of the head of the department.

2. It meets with the members of the coordination group at least once per legislative term.

3. It validates the decisions made by the board.

4. It may inform the public of its activities.

5. The president is authorized to speak on its behalf and may delegate this task to another member.

1. The board is composed of the president, the vice-president of the community, and at least three members appointed by the community for four years.

2. The delegate participates in the meetings with an advisory vote.

1. The office organizes the plenary sessions.

2. Upon the proposal of the service or following a decision made by the community in a plenary session, it may mandate working groups for a limited duration. The conclusions from these works are submitted to the office, which will forward them to the community.

3. Between community meetings in plenary session, the office is authorized to handle current affairs and to take necessary urgent measures. These are subject to the approval of the community at its next appropriate session.

Members of the community, alternate members, as well as individuals participating in working groups, shall be compensated in accordance with the decree concerning attendance and travel allowances for members of administrative, advisory, examination, or expert commissions, dated December 26, 1972.

1. The service, with the support of the community, acts particularly in the areas mentioned in Article 7 of the law.

2. To this end, it maintains regular contacts with foreign individuals and those originating from migration, cantonal and communal authorities, as well as institutions and associations concerned with intercultural integration and discrimination prevention.

3. It offers expertise in the fields of migration, intercultural integration, and discrimination prevention.

4. It provides its intercultural skills to individuals and collectives, administrations, or institutions, particularly in consulting, mediation, interpretation, training, coaching, grant processing, and project management.

5. As the Confederation's contact point for questions regarding intercultural integration and prevention of discrimination, it is responsible for managing integration packages in accordance with federal provisions and coordinates the socio-professional integration of individuals covered by these packages.

6. It prepares reports on integration and naturalization.

7. It oversees sworn translators.

Cantonal and communal authorities responsible for intercultural integration and discrimination prevention collaborate under the auspices of the service.

1. The service determines, based on available funds and the relevance of the project in relation to federal and cantonal policy, the criteria and maximum amounts that can be allocated to small, medium, and large-scale projects.

2. The projects must promote intercultural integration, equal opportunities, and the prevention of discrimination.

Any decision made pursuant to the law on integration and multicultural cohesion and its regulations may be appealed to the department, and subsequently to the Cantonal Court, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) of March 18, 2025 [4].

The Regulation on Multicultural Integration and Cohesion, of February 5, 1997 [5], is repealed.

1. This regulation shall enter into force with effect from January 1, 2018.

2. It shall be published in the Official Gazette and inserted into the Collection of Neuchâtel Legislation.