Quick Scan Barneveld

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, different groups with different grievances and agendas have rallied against the government. Whether that was due to lock-down measures at the time, or still current vaccination or climate policies,  some of these groups are driven by conspiracy narratives, oftentimes influenced by mis- and disinformation spread on the internet. Particularly, the movements driving on conspiracy narratives blaming an ‘evil elite’ for a variety of problems fall in the category of so-called anti-institutional movements; some even go as far as to distance themselves from society, calling themselves sovereign citizens. Furthermore, related to geopolitical developments, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the war between Israel and Hamas, polarisation in society is deepening. All these developments pose challenges for national and local governments regarding the way they effectively address those.

The P/CVE team is assisting local authorities in developing a better understanding of the underlying sentiments and grievances driving these developments, as well as the mobilizing dynamics that can sometimes occur quite instantly, and by advising on policy responses.

For this project, ICCT will conduct a quick scan study for the municipality of Barneveld. Barneveld is a small municipality (approximately 62,000 inhabitants) in the centre of the Netherlands. For this quick scan study, key questions that will be addressed include:

1. What are current key issues and concerns that are relevant for the municipality, its inhabitants, and communities that might have an implication on radicalisation and polarisation?
2. To what extent do the local policies in place in the municipality of Barneveld address potential issues related to polarisation and radicalisation?
3. What process is in place to identify early signals of polarisation and radicalisation, and which key actors are involved in signalling.
4. How is cooperation between key stakeholders organised with respect to dealing with radicalisation and polarisation, in terms of, for instance, communication and reporting?
5. What processes are in place for communication and engagement between the municipality and the local communities?

Objective of the quick scan will be to offer the municipality of Barneveld insights into key developments with respect to radicalisation and polarisation taking place in the municipality itself, in its region, and to what extent developments in the Netherlands or in Europe might have an impact on developments in Barneveld; to make an assessment of the adequacy of the policies in place, as well as the networks involved. With the quick scan, ICCT will assist the municipality to assess potential risks, and assess whether amendments to the policies in place are needed.

The project will be implemented between December 2024 and March 2025.