How do we make decisions and why does this matter when thinking about resilience to polarising and extremist narratives?
- 17. aug.
- Lasīts 2 min
Updated: pirms 3 stundām
On 14 August 2026, at Codes Manor, Rasma Pīpiķe facilitated a practical workshop for civil society representatives within the framework of the ARENAS project (Analysis of and Responses to Extremist Narratives). During ther workshop participants tested tools being developed on the basis of knowledge generated through ARENAS research on people’s susceptibility to extremist narratives.
ARENAS examines how extremist narratives shape perceptions, contribute to “us versus them” divisions, distrust and polarisation, and which social, political and attitudinal factors are associated with greater susceptibility to such narratives.
One direction in the development of practical tools is to help people better understand how they make decisions. During the workshop, civil society representatives explored how their decisions may be influenced by education, professional experience, cognitive abilities, attitudes towards risk, decision-making styles, values and beliefs, as well as social networks and contacts.
Understanding what influences our judgements and decisions is also relevant when dealing with extremist and polarising narratives. It can help us recognise how our experiences, values and habitual ways of thinking may influence what we pay attention to, how we interpret information and how we respond to different messages.
This workshop forms part of the ARENAS WP4 practical tool development process. Research findings are being transformed into practical methods and tools designed for three specific target groups:
Civil society organisations - to support the recognition of extremist and polarising narratives and strengthen dialogue, inclusive communication and democratic resilience.
Enterprises and employers - to strengthen diversity management and inclusive communication and to reduce discriminatory and polarising practices in the workplace.
Young people and youth organisations - to develop critical thinking, media literacy and the ability to recognise emotional manipulation, disinformation and extremist narratives in digital environments.
Working directly with civil society representatives is one step in the development and testing of these tools. Participants’ experience helps assess whether the methods are understandable, practically applicable and suitable for real-life contexts.
This is also one of the key aims of ARENAS: to transform research-based knowledge into practical tools that can strengthen the democratic resilience of individuals, organisations and communities in the face of extremist and polarising narratives.
Association “Creative Ideas” express sincere thank to the Zemgale NGO Centre for the collaboration and the opportunity to work together to strengthen and develop civil society in Latvia.
The Association “Creative Ideas” coordinates the Latvian contribution to the ARENAS project in collaboration with international research partners across Europe.
The project is being implemented from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2027, as part of the EU’s “Horizon Europe” program (2021–2027).
Published: 17th August, 2026
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
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