From Polarisation to Connection: Practical Approaches to Countering Radicalisation

Source Photo: De Gelderlander, Initiative Avond van de Goede Moed in Arnhem

Polarisation is the process in which divisions between groups in society become increasingly sharp. This leads to tension, segregation, and a growing “us-versus-them” mentality. While polarisation is not always problematic in itself, it becomes dangerous when differences are exaggerated and hostile images arise. Such a climate creates fertile ground for radicalisation. Young people are especially vulnerable to this dynamic, as they may feel excluded or unfairly treated more quickly. This increases their openness to radical ideas.

Radicalisation is a process in which someone develops increasingly extreme views and may eventually be willing to act on those beliefs, sometimes even violently. Polarisation increases the risk of radicalisation because it undermines social cohesion and intensifies feelings of exclusion, frustration, or discrimination. In a highly polarised environment, people-especially young people-often seek new identities and groups where they feel seen and valued. When these groups promote radical ideologies, the process of radicalisation can accelerate. Social media and online platforms reinforce this effect by exposing people mainly to information that confirms their existing beliefs. As a result, nuance disappears and more extreme positions become attractive.

Government Initiatives and Small-Scale Actions

To counter polarisation and radicalisation, there are both government initiatives and projects set up by civil society. These projects focus on strengthening social cohesion, encouraging dialogue, and increasing resilience against extremist ideas.

The government supports various campaigns, including the well-known SIRE campaign “Take a Step” (“Zet een stap”). This campaign encourages people to literally and figuratively take a step aside and engage in conversation with those who think differently. The goal is to foster empathy and connection, breaking through the us-versus-them mentality. The campaign uses a powerful commercial that shows how small gestures and open conversations can help reduce polarisation and prevent radicalisation.

In addition to these larger, organised projects, it is often the small, informal actions that have a surprisingly big impact on reducing polarisation. Think of a spontaneous neighbourhood conversation, a shared meal with neighbours from different backgrounds, or organising a sports or art activity together. Such low-threshold encounters give people the chance to get to know each other in a relaxed setting and break down prejudices. These seemingly simple initiatives lay the foundation for greater understanding, trust, and connection within society. By building bridges on a small scale, the breeding ground for polarisation and radicalisation is gradually diminished.

What Makes an Initiative Effective?

Whether it concerns major campaigns or small, local initiatives: what makes an initiative against polarisation and radicalisation truly effective? Successful projects share a number of characteristics. They are accessible and welcoming to a broad group of participants, making people feel invited to join. Inclusivity is central: there is a deliberate effort to connect people of different backgrounds, ages, and beliefs. Effective initiatives are also set up with sustainability in mind, focusing on continuity and lasting impact. Finally, dialogue is essential-not to convince, but to listen to and understand each other’s perspectives.

Challenges and Collaboration

Setting up an initiative to counter polarisation is valuable, but it also comes with challenges. Initiators sometimes face resistance from the community, for example because people are sceptical about the value of dialogue or hesitant to participate. Finding enough volunteers and securing funding can also be obstacles. Reaching the right target group-especially those who feel excluded or unheard-is often a major challenge. It requires perseverance, creativity, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations.

Because polarisation is such a complex social issue, collaboration is crucial. Civil society initiatives that find each other can increase their impact by sharing knowledge and experiences. Joint events, exchanging methods, or pooling resources for activities ensure greater reach and more effective approaches. By working together, a strong network of engaged citizens and organisations is created, reinforcing and inspiring one another.

Finally, experience shows that initiatives that are well attuned to the local context are often the most successful. Every neighbourhood, village, or city has its own dynamics, challenges, and opportunities. By working with local partners and responding to the specific needs of a community, there is more support and involvement. Local knowledge and engagement ensure that activities match what is actually happening and that solutions come from within. This not only increases the chance of success but also ensures lasting results.

Ten Inspiring Grassroots Initiatives

Below are ten examples of initiatives that have emerged from civil society. Each initiative is explained in detail to show how they contribute to reducing polarisation and preventing radicalisation.

1. De Nieuwe Dialoog
https://denieuwedialoog.nl
De Nieuwe Dialoog organises discussion evenings and dialogue tables where people from diverse backgrounds, ages, and beliefs come together. By sharing personal stories and engaging in open conversations, participants learn to understand each other’s perspectives. This fosters mutual understanding, reduces prejudice, and breaks down us-versus-them thinking. By helping people step out of their own bubbles, the breeding ground for polarisation-and thus radicalisation-is reduced.

2. Samen Sterk Zonder Stigma
https://samensterkzonderstigma.nl
This initiative focuses on reducing stigma around mental vulnerability, but their approach is broadly applicable. Through awareness campaigns, workshops, and the involvement of people with lived experience in schools and workplaces, awareness is raised about the consequences of exclusion and discrimination. By making differences discussable and promoting inclusion, polarisation is countered and the risk of radicalisation is reduced.

3. Peaceful Schools
https://peacefulschools.nl
Peaceful Schools works with schools to develop a peaceful and inclusive school culture. The programme teaches children and young people how to resolve conflicts peacefully, deal respectfully with differences, and actively contribute to a positive atmosphere. By investing in social skills and citizenship from an early age, the risk of polarisation and radicalisation later in life is reduced.

4. De Vreedzame Wijk
https://devreedzamewijk.nl
This initiative builds on the philosophy of Peaceful Schools but focuses on entire neighbourhoods. By actively involving residents in joint activities, neighbourhood discussions, and projects, mutual trust is strengthened. The project encourages residents to work together on solutions for local problems, preventing divisions from escalating into tensions or radicalisation.

5. Maatschappij voor Veiligheid en Samenleving (MVS)
https://mvs.nl
MVS provides training and workshops for volunteers, youth workers, and residents to recognise and discuss signs of polarisation and radicalisation. By increasing knowledge and skills, communities become more resilient to extremist influences. MVS also encourages engaging in conversation with those who feel excluded, making them less susceptible to radical groups.

6. Dialoog in de Buurt
https://dialoogindebuurt.nl
Dialoog in de Buurt organises accessible meetings where neighbourhood residents talk about current topics and differences. By sharing experiences and seeking common values, misunderstandings and tensions are reduced. The initiative helps restore trust between groups and prevents small conflicts from growing into persistent polarisation or radicalisation.

7. Jongeren voor Verbinding
https://jongerenvoorverbinding.nl
This youth initiative organises sports tournaments, art projects, and dialogue evenings for young people from different cultural backgrounds. By working together towards shared goals and getting to know each other better, there is more understanding and appreciation of differences. The project prevents young people from isolating themselves in their own groups, reducing the risk of polarisation and radicalisation.

8. Samen Tegen Polarisatie
https://samentegenpolarisatie.nl
Samen Tegen Polarisatie is a platform where social organisations, neighbourhood initiatives, and citizen groups come together to share knowledge and experiences. The platform supports local projects focused on promoting dialogue, organising meetings, and strengthening the social network in neighbourhoods. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, the effectiveness of anti-polarisation initiatives is increased.

9. Bruggenbouwers Nederland
https://bruggenbouwers.nl
Bruggenbouwers Nederland is a network of volunteers dedicated to bridging differences between groups in society. They organise cultural exchanges, communal dinners, and neighbourhood projects where people from various backgrounds meet. By creating positive encounters and emphasising commonalities, prejudices are reduced and polarisation is countered.

10. Het Forum voor Democratie en Samenleving
https://forumvoordemocratieensamenleving.nl
The Forum encourages citizen participation and democratic debate. By actively involving people in discussing social issues and organising citizen panels, it increases the sense of influence and involvement. This prevents people from feeling excluded and turning to more extreme groups. The Forum also provides training to help discuss sensitive topics in a respectful way.

Joining Existing Initiatives

Not everyone has to start a new initiative to make a difference. By joining existing projects, you can directly contribute to strengthening connection in your neighbourhood or city. Many initiatives are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers, participants, or ambassadors. You can help organise activities, take part in dialogue evenings, or use your own network to involve others. Sharing positive experiences and inviting people from your environment to join also contributes to the success of these projects. By working together and supporting each other, a broad movement emerges that effectively counters polarisation and prevents radicalisation.

Making a Difference as a Visitor or Participant

Besides actively organising or volunteering, you can also contribute in a low-threshold way by simply attending an activity. Many initiatives organise open meetings, dialogue evenings, lectures, or discussion rounds where everyone is welcome-even if you just want to listen or join in once. For example, you can join a dialogue table at the library, take part in a discussion evening at a community centre, or attend an accessible event organised by the municipality or a social organisation.

The threshold is often low: usually, you only need to sign up or you can just drop by. The aim of these gatherings is not to convince everyone, but to hear different perspectives, better understand each other, and create a safe space for conversation together. You can find such activities at projects like Utrecht in Dialoog (https://utrechtindialoog.nl), local libraries, community centres, or through announcements from municipalities and social organisations. By being present as a participant, you help break down us-versus-them thinking and contribute to keeping conversations in society open and respectful.

Initiatives: Cooperation with Government and Between Groups

In addition to grassroots initiatives and low-threshold participation, it is important to emphasise that initiatives against polarisation and radicalisation do not have to originate solely within civil society. Government agencies can also play a valuable role, for example by collaborating with citizen initiatives. As a citizen, you could start a project that promotes dialogue in schools, working together with a (semi-)government body such as a municipality or educational institution. This cross-pollination strengthens the impact and reach of the project. An inspiring example of cooperation between different groups is the initiative De Duif.
https://www.deduif.org

De Duif is an organisation in which Muslims and Jews work together to promote dialogue and understanding. Through joint activities, lectures, and meetings, they bring people of different religious backgrounds together and build bridges between communities. They show that cooperation across boundaries is possible and that connection can be stronger than difference.

Inspiration for New Initiatives

The examples above show that there are countless ways to counter polarisation and radicalisation. Each initiative has its own approach, target group, and working method, but they all share the principle that connection, dialogue, and inclusion are essential. Hopefully, this overview inspires readers to consider starting their own initiative. It does not have to be an exact copy of an existing project; by responding to local needs and your own ideas, new and effective projects can emerge.

The Power of Lived Experience and Volunteers

A particularly valuable role in many initiatives against polarisation and radicalisation is played by people with lived experience and volunteers. Those who have experienced polarisation, exclusion, or even radicalisation themselves can inspire and support others by sharing their own stories. Their involvement creates recognition and trust among participants, making difficult topics discussable and fostering genuine connection. Volunteers are often the driving force behind local projects. Their commitment and enthusiasm bring people together, make activities possible, and ensure the continuity of initiatives. By sharing personal experiences and offering a listening ear, they help break down prejudices and strengthen social cohesion.

My Role as a Radicalisation and Terrorism Expert (RTE)

As a Radicalisation and Terrorism Expert (RTE), I support organisations, municipalities, and grassroots initiatives in developing and implementing projects that counter polarisation and radicalisation. As an RTE, I offer tailored advice, training, and guidance based on the latest insights and practical experience. Together with people with lived experience, volunteers, and other stakeholders, I work towards effective and sustainable solutions. Are you considering starting an initiative or strengthening existing projects? Feel free to contact me. Together, we can build a society in which everyone feels seen and heard, and where polarisation and radicalisation have no chance.