Advisory support and network for countering and preventing radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and polarisation

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Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Political, societal, educational stakeholders, and researchers have an improved understanding of theoretical models and provided pathways for implementing solutions to combat extremism, radicalisation, hate speech and polarisation. Public authorities, law enforcement agencies, local authorities, NGOs, and community actors are more engaged in implementing and adapting solutions addressing radicalisation, extremism, hate speech, and polarisation in their respective contexts. EU institutions, national policymakers and judicial bodies can draw on an enhanced evidence-base for their decision-making through scientific, political, and legal assessments of research results in real-life contexts, enabling replication of methods, legislative changes, and innovation. Improved understanding of the root causes of hate and polarisation, of methodologies to combat online hate ecosystems and of the role of traditional media in shaping public opinion, including the correlation between media consumption and polarisation, to inform strategies for protecting victims and addressing hate crimes and speech. Scope: The European Union has been actively working to combat racism, xenophobia, hate speech, hate crimes, and extremism in recent years, developing and implementing various strategies to address these issues[1]. Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe have also played a crucial role in funding projects that aim to develop research and collect evidence on how to counter and prevent radicalisation, polarisation, hate speech and extremism. These phenomena pose significant risks, as they can undermine trust in democratic institutions, weaken the social contract, and contribute to rising inequalities and instability. European research (including research by SSH disciplines) should combine a clear understanding of the mechanisms that play a fundamental role in the circulation of online hate speech, radicalisation, extremism, and polarisation with the development of strategies to prevent and counter these phenomena. At the same time, it should promote the Union values enshrined in the Treaty on European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, and the protection of democratic institutions, as a condition for everyone's talents to flourish and for fostering a cohesive society and a culture of tolerance and pluralism. This will contribute to enhance the prevention of violent extremism, hate speech and hate crime and the promotion of a more inclusive and resilient society. The spread of hate speech and extremist ideologies online has become a major concern, and the need for effective solutions to address these issues is pressing. Hate speech and extremism can be criminal offences, but also more broadly contribute to polarisation and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression, also limiting the engagement of individuals in…