ENAR was founded on efforts undertaken as part of the European Year Against Racism (1997). Between March and September 1998, more than 600 non-governmental organizations participated in discussions, at the national and European levels, about the possibility of creating such a network, its role and functioning. The result was ENAR and its joint action program. ENAR links NGOs responsible for considering the European dimension of fighting racism. It also serves as a forum for information exchange and influences political solutions in the EU through various campaigns.
ENAR fights against racism, xenophobia and religious discrimination; promotes equal treatment of citizens from the EU and third world countries; links local initiatives with European ones; strives to eliminate racist elements from European legislation related to migration policies; and acts on behalf of understanding and appreciation of cultural, ethnic and racial diversity.