BRIDGE project: audits to identify polarisation at the local level
Barcelona, Spain, November 2019 – There are many different kinds of polarisation and, in cities, opinions can diverge on a whole range of issues: this is one of…
Polarisation can be understood as a process of sharpening differences between groups in society that can result in increased tensions. It is a potential amplifying cause of the diverse psychological and social factors that make people vulnerable to radicalisation. [1]
In order to effectively prevent radicalisation we need to understand the dynamics of polarisation: how do ‘us-and-them thinking’, social division and hostility gain ground in our communities? And how can we effectively intervene into such extremist dynamics and build bridges to foster social cohesion?
[1] For more information, read : RAN Polarisation Management Manual (2017) or Bart Brandsma, Polarisation. Understanding the Dynamics of Us versus Them (2017).
The overall objectives of this project are to raise awareness among local actors and strengthen their capacity to reduce individual and collective vulnerability to radicalisation while at the same time mitigating the phenomenon of polarisation:
Four stages are planned throughout the project:
Pervading extremist opinions, sharpening forms of intergroup conflict and proliferating forms of ‘us-and-them’ thinking seem to increasingly mark the reality of many European societies today. While such forms of polarisation are often intertwined with transnational phenomena such as financial crises, migration movements, international terrorism or pandemics, they deeply impact social life at the local level.
This publication sheds light on how polarisation unfolds and how it impacts municipalities and regions across Europe. It gathers tools, practical examples and recommendations on how local and regional governments can better understand, diagnose and act against polarisation.
The short summary is available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and German.
Mitigating Polarisation – lessons from the restorative justice approach – Thursday, 30 April
In this webconference, we approached the topic from the perspective of restorative justice. Key RJ concepts and measures such as accountability, mediation, respect and dialogue have a long and successful history in alleviating the harms of violence and crime. What can we learn from the approach when we seek to mitigate polarisation?
Efus is the leader of the project
Partners :
Brussels (BE), Departmental council of Val d’Oise (FR), Düsseldorf (DE), Government of Catalonia (ES), Genk (BE), Igoumenitsa (GR), Leuven (BE), Reggio Emilia (IT), Region of Umbria (IT), Rotterdam (NL), Terrassa (ES), Stuttgart (DE), Vaulx-en-Velin (FR), Ufuq (DE), Real Instituto Elcano (ES)
January 2019 – July 2021 (36 months)
Eszter Karacsony, Programme Manager – karacsony@efus.eu
Julia Rettig, Programme Manager – rettig@efus.eu
The project is financed at 90% by the European Union Internal Security Fund – Police
Barcelona, Spain, November 2019 – There are many different kinds of polarisation and, in cities, opinions can diverge on a whole range of issues: this is one of…
Paris, France, September 2019 – European societies are at risk of increasing polarisation: in the political systems of many countries, extremist and populist currents are gaining ground, reaching…
The polarisation of society into antagonistic groups who refuse all those they consider as “other” is an increasingly pressing issue. This growing phenomenon, heightened by the rise of…
Paris, France, 24-25 April 2019 – The 15 partners of the new, Efus-led BRIDGE project (Building resilience to reduce polarisation and growing extremism) met for their first coordination…
Paris, France, January 2019 – How can local authorities act to reduce polarisation in their local communities, which renders them more vulnerable to radicalisation? This is the central…