Countering and preventing radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and polarisation

The phenomena of radicalisation, extremism, incitement to hatred and polarisation are a growing threat to democracy and social cohesion. In recent years, the EU has adopted several strategies to combat racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, as well as to counter hate speech and hate crimes. The EU also has policy tools to respond to all forms of extremism and radicalisation. As recalled by the Joint Communication “No Place for Hate”[[ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52023JC0051]] of 6 December 2023, these initiatives are even more urgent considering the growth in hate speech and crimes against women and people belonging to vulnerable groups in recent years.

Social media amplifies radicalisation, extremism, hate speech, information manipulation and polarisation. Algorithm-driven personalisation restricts the public sphere and creates "echo chambers" where users primarily engage with like-minded views. This confirmation bias intensifies polarisation, fuels radicalisation, aids in recruiting extremists, and promotes hate speech and crime. Confirmation bias influences both social and traditional media users, as individuals seek information aligning with their beliefs. This trend impacts public discourse, fostering mis- and disinformation and information manipulation including conspiracy theories by limiting exposure to diverse perspectives and distorting perception of reality.

These phenomena arise from distortions in online interactions and media outlet characteristics, especially those that are mostly if not solely disseminated online. In certain member states, online media have become a primary information source alongside, or in the place of, traditional media channels (TV, radio, press), while lacking transparency regarding affiliations with interest groups or foreign influences. Moreover, radicalization and polarisation spread through social networks beyond social media. Therefore, proposals should also consider offline social networks, which include relationships like friendships, kinships, and shared interests, not solely reliant on online platforms.

Research activities should involve a wide range of stakeholders and potential end-users, including non-scientific and non-academic actors, such as, but not limited to, public bodies, media organisations and outlets, journalists, social media platforms, and representatives from other social networks, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, policymakers, educational bodies, other potential end-users of the research results. The involvement of one or more of these categories of stakeholders is required to test and uptake the research results and to explore their readiness to be implemented and replicated. More specifically, research activities are encouraged to involve private entities, such as providers of intermediaries’ services under the Digital Services Act (DSA), as their involvement is required to provide researchers with access to data necessary to undertake research and access to platform data on the spread and behaviour of disinformation online.

Proposals are encouraged to explore the following themes (among others): radicalisation and polarisation driven by stereotypes related to gender, religion, or ethnic minorities; the impact of new technologies on the production and dissemination of radicalisation and extremist content; the role of social cohesion, as both radicalisation and democratic participation are significantly influenced by the level of social cohesion within society; linkages between social and economic inequality and radicalisation, extremism, hatred and polarisation[[ Research in this field was recommended also by EU citizens in the context of the European Citizens Panel on tackling hatred in society, held in April and May 2024.]].

Proposals are encouraged to include historical and comparative analysis, which is crucial for understanding the past uses of hate speech as well as contemporary efforts by radical and extremist organisations to shape narratives. By contextualising these dynamics, proposals can explore the evolution and impacts of these phenomena over time, providing insights into effective strategies for combating them.

Proposals should collaborate with the EU Knowledge Hub on radicalisation prevention (RAN – Radicalisation Awareness Network) to align priorities and share outcomes and should develop advisory services to its members.

Proposals are encouraged to seek collaboration whenever possible with relevant projects selected under previous EU-funded calls, such as HORIZON-CL3-2022-FCT-01-03 - Enhanced fight against the abuse of online gaming culture by extremists. Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this topic and other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).