Timespan: 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2027
Donor: European Union / Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV)
CERV Lump Sum Grants
Call: CERV-2025-CITIZENS-TOWN-NT
Budget: 303.505 €
Applicant: ALDA (Strasbourg/Francuska)
Partners: Local Democracy Agency Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina); European Buddhist Union (EBU) (Belgium); KOINONIA ISON EUKAIRION (EQUAL SOCIETY) (Greece); Regionalna zaklada za lokalni razvoj „Zamah“ (Zamah) (Croatia); Centar za kulturu dijaloga (CDK) (Croatia); Muslimisch-jüdische Kooperationsrat (MJLC) (Austria); Comunità Religiosa Islamica Italiana (COREIS) (Italy); Opstina Centar Skopje (North Macedonia)
Associate Partner: Interreligious Studies Academy (Accademia di Studi Interreligiosi) (I.S.A.) (Italy)
DESCRIPTION:
Bridging Beliefs is a transformative project designed to create sustainable channels for dialogue among diverse stakeholders across European cities. In response to growing challenges of religious intolerance and societal polarisation, the project mobilises local authorities, religious associations, CSOs, and citizens to foster a participatory environment that integrates faith-based perspectives into democratic decision-making. Drawing on a rich network of partners from nine different countries, Bridging Beliefs leverages extensive expertise in local governance, intercultural dialogue, and community development to build resilient, inclusive communities.
At its core, the project employs a multi-stakeholder, participatory approach that combines non-formal education and open, structured dialogue; capacity-building and exchange of best practices; and awareness raising events. These events are strategically designed to equip participants with practical tools and methodologies for engaging in interfaith, interconvictional, and intercultural dialogue. The initiative focuses on creating immediate impact through direct participation and exchange of best practices, while also establishing a replicable model for long-term transformation of civic spaces. Ultimately, Bridging Beliefs envisions a Europe where religious and cultural diversity is celebrated as a strength, fostering mutual understanding and contributing to a shared future of peace, democracy, and collective well-being.
AIM OF THE PROJECT: To foster peace education, democratic engagement and social inclusion by enhancing structured interreligious and interconvictional dialogue at the local and European levels.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
SO1: To increase the opportunities for representation and meaningful participation of religious and
convictional communities in European societies.
SO2: To facilitate continuous, structured, and meaningful dialogue between religious communities and local authorities.
SO3: To raise public awareness and promote civic engagement on the value of interfaith dialogue,
religious freedom, and pluralism as essential elements for social harmony.
TARGET GROUPS