In the wake of the Syrian civil war, civil society organizations (CSOs) in Turkey initially focused on providing urgent humanitarian aid to refugees. Over time, they shifted toward long-term strategies, advocating for the rights of refugees and migrants in areas such as education, healthcare, and legal assistance. However, this progress is now under threat. A sharp rise in hate speech and xenophobia has not only hindered rights-based mobilization but has also strained Turkey’s already fragile social cohesion. Civil society groups—ranging from grassroots networks to established NGOs—find themselves unprepared to counter the growing backlash against refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants.
This challenge is not unique to Turkey. Across Europe and beyond, migration has become a deeply polarized issue. Far-right movements and transnational networks fuel anti-migrant narratives, shaping public debates and influencing policy decisions. In many countries, xenophobia and misinformation dominate discussions on migration, leaving little room for voices advocating inclusion and human rights.
RESONATE seeks to change that. Through a three-stage research approach, it explores how civil society can develop stronger, more effective communication strategies to foster solidarity and reshape public attitudes on migration.
Stage 1: Mapping Civil Society’s Strengths and Challenges
The first phase of RESONATE systematically mapped the capacities, needs, and strategies of rights-based civil society organizations working with refugees and migrants in Turkey. This includes NGOs, trade unions, associations, and grassroots networks—both those founded by Turkish citizens and those established by migrant and refugee communities themselves. The goal was to understand how these groups operate, collaborate, and advocate for migrants’ rights. The project combined desk research**—analyzing reports, news articles, policy documents, and social media content—with fieldwork, conducting in-depth interviews with civil society representatives. This comprehensive approach provided a nuanced picture of how civil society engages with migration issues and where support is needed.
Stage 2: Identifying Effective Language for Public Engagement
The second phase of the project shifted focus to the broader Turkish public. It examined how different ways of framing the rights of migrants can shift attitudes and counteract stigma. Through deliberative focus groups held in eight cities, RESONATE reached a diverse cross-section of society—people from different political and socioeconomic backgrounds. Participants engaged in structured discussions, where they were introduced to various positive linguistic frames about migration, migrants and refugees. Their reactions helped determine which narratives resonate most, which were met with resistance, and how public perceptions evolved when exposed to alternative viewpoints. This stage provided valuable insights into how communication strategies can be tailored to foster empathy, challenge misinformation, and ultimately encourage a more inclusive society.
Stage 3: Testing Impact on a Larger Scale
The final phase of RESONATE took the most promising linguistic frames identified in the focus groups and tested them on a larger, nationally representative sample. Using an online survey experiment, the project reached 1500 adults across Turkey, and evaluated how different messaging strategies influence public attitudes toward refugees and migrants across Turkey. By combining qualitative and quantitative research methods, RESONATE generated evidence-based recommendations for civil society organizations, equipping them with powerful tools to challenge xenophobic narratives and promote social cohesion.
