Launched at the United Nations in 2015, Strong Cities fills a critical gap in efforts that have typically overlooked the important role cities can and must play in addressing these threats. The network provides a unique forum for members to engage, learn and share best practices with each other.   

Hosted by ISD, Strong Cities supports mayors and local authorities through a variety of modalities, designed to build meaningful connections between cities, facilitate peer learning and exchanges, and to equip cities with the tools they need to address a complex and evolving threat environment. 

STRONG CITIES IN FOCUS 

Strong Cities supports cities to develop and/or strengthen mandates, approaches and programmes to prevent and respond to hate, extremism and polarisation, leveraging the range of local services, interests, networks and skills that exist within cities. Strong Cities delivers results through the following principles and initiatives:   

National-Local Cooperation 

National-local cooperation (NLC) is an essential component of preventing and addressing hate, extremism, and polarisation; all multi-faceted phenomena requiring a whole-of-society approach that leverages the capacities of different actors at every level into a coherent and coordinated effort. NLC supports this need by enabling actors at both levels to work collectively and maximise the impact of prevention and response efforts.  

Multi-Actor Frameworks 

A multi-actor framework or model for preventing and addressing hate, extremism and radicalisation coordinates the efforts of local agencies and actors, leveraging diverse disciplines to best understand and mitigate individual- and communal-level vulnerabilities. It reflects the complexity of extremism, which can affect anyone, as there is no single pathway into or out of extremism. To account for this, multi-actor frameworks not only facilitate a platform for coordination and communication between relevant stakeholders but also build collaboration between siloed or isolated services. 

Transatlantic Dialogue Initiative 

Launched in October 2021, the Strong Cities Transatlantic Dialogue Initiative is strengthening cooperation between mayors, local governments and practitioners in preventing hate, extremism and polarisation, and safeguarding local democracy. Through workshops in cities on both sides of the Atlantic, and capstone events in Berlin, Manchester and Columbus (Ohio, United States), Strong Cities is facilitating important city learning, sharing and recommendations for both mayors and practitioners in Europe and North America.  

Global Crises, Local Impacts 

Mayors and the cities they lead have been grappling with how to navigate local manifestations of global crises. From pandemics to rising levels of hate and polarisation, to the cost-of-living crisis, to unprecedented migration and increased urbanisation, the impact of successive global crises is felt acutely at the local level. Informed by threat analysis from researchers at ISD and other organisations, Strong Cities is working with local leaders to identify good practices and approaches for navigating local manifestations of global crises.  

City-Led Incident Response 

The motive behind hate and extremist-driven attacks is not just to inflict violence but to create societal fear and division. In the immediate aftermath of an attack, national authorities take the lead in emergency responses, reinforcing public safety and launching criminal investigations. However, as the weeks and months progress, the impact of an attack can run deep, causing untold social consequences across communities and geographic borders. Communities, no matter how resilient, need strong local leadership and a coordinated, sustained response to help them heal, recover and rebuild.  

RESOURCES FOR MAYORS AND CITIES 

The Strong Cities Resource Hub is an open, living library of tools, guides and practical resources designed to support mayors and city governments in tackling hate, extremism and polarisation, while strengthening social cohesion at the local level. 

Grounded in real-world experience, the Hub brings together practical tools informed by city practice, peer learning and case studies from across the Network. These resources are designed to support city-led, whole-of-society approaches that reflect the complexity of today’s threat environment and the realities faced by local authorities. 

While hate, extremism and polarisation are global challenges, they are increasingly shaped by local grievances, rooted in lived experience and felt most acutely within communities.  

Strong Cities is committed to equipping cities with the practical knowledge, tools and guidance they need to respond effectively, sustainably and in line with human rights principles. The Resource Hub will continue to evolve, reflecting emerging challenges, new practices and the collective experience of cities working to build more inclusive, resilient and cohesive communities. 

Featured Resources: 

• A Guide for Mayors: Preventing and Responding to Hate, Extremism & Polarisation 

• A Guide For Cities: Preventing Hate, Extremism & Polarisation 

• A Guide For City-Led Response 

• The National-Local Cooperation (NLC) Toolkit 

• City Spotlights 

• Policy Briefs 

• Explore all Resources