GB-London: Effective engagement and messaging to counter extremism

The LGA is keen to help councils to understand and respond to these challenges, and support local authorities to deliver through developing and sharing good practice in strategic and operational delivery at a local level.

Recent years have seen some activists, particularly far-right/anti-minority actors, blending extremist narratives with mainstream concerns and issues such as organised sexual grooming and immigration, which present particular challenges for local authorities in response. This, alongside the increased propagation and reach of extremist narratives through the digital space has ensured activists have attracted a large and increasing following. Recent months have also seen unprecedented circulation and advocacy of conspiracy theories on a range of issues, with themes united around a deep mistrust in government and the mainstream media.

Long-term disengagement and mistrust between residents and statutory agencies can be a significant factor in creating environments within which extremism can take root. Countering extremist ideology and narratives have long been regarded as important aspects of efforts to combat extremism, but developing effective responses is not necessarily straightforward and requires a considered approach. There is a growing view that more needs to be done to support councils to engage and communicate effectively with residents at a local level, to help both prevent divisive views from taking hold and build resilience to extremist narratives.

A number of councils have asked for further support on effective engagement and communication with local communities, as part of wider work to improve resilience and cohesion, tackle extremism and to support efforts to counter harmful extremist narratives; we are seeking a supplier to develop and deliver training for officers in response. The supplier will develop and deliver a training course for council officers to help build understanding of the issues and techniques commonly used by far-right activists to increase support, and explore effective engagement and communications tools and strategies that might be used in response.

The course will be delivered (live) online for up to 50 participants and should provide opportunities for interaction and discussion.

As this course will be delivered remotely, and to ensure the issues and approaches are explored in depth, the expectation is that this will be delivered to two cohorts, with each participant attending a number of short sessions over a period of time, allowing for reflection in between. Dates for the sessions will be agreed with the Programme Lead but will take place between January and March 2021.