Educational Programme „Solutions Not Sides“ Wins Bridging Gaps Award
This spring, Körber-Stiftung and THE CIVICS Innovation Hub had presented the one-time Bridging Gaps Award, inviting non-governmental organisations across Europe and neighbouring countries to share their successfully implemented youth projects fostering unity in polarised societies.
Now the prize winner was awarded on 14 November in Tirana at the fringe of the NECE Festival 2024 “Borders” in Albania: The UK-based initiative "Solutions Not Sides" had convinced the jury with their education programme for British secondary schools on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The award was presented to "Solution Not Sides" representative Jess Brandler.
“Solutions Not Sides” aims to provide humanising encounters, diverse narratives and critical-thinking tools related to the Israel-Palestine conflict in order to empower British young people with the knowledge, empathy and skills to promote dialogue and conflict resolution, and to challenge prejudice around this issue. It does so by inviting pairs of peace activists from Israel and Palestine to British schools to give students first-hand impressions, sharing their experiences, talking about why they have chosen to try to change the current situation, discussing possible win-win solutions, and answering questions. Exploration, empathy and empowerment are the guiding principles for SNS’ work, and the three main values are non-violence, equality for all, and no to hatred. Since 2011 the charity has reached more than 80,000 students in the UK.
“We are very thankful for the recognition of our work,” said Brandler at the Award Ceremony. “Since 7 October we have worked with more than 12,000 students. More than 130 schools have joined our programme. It’s a very polarising and emotive topic, so teachers could have decided to put it on the shelf, but instead they decided to discuss it. When we get into the classroom, we don’t shame or judge the students, we just listen – whatever language they may use. And when they’re being listened to, especially by Palestinians and Israelis, they become more confident to express their views. This is very motivating to see.”
Out of many promising applications from 17 different countries, the jury chose the British charity “Solutions Not Sides” (SNS) as a winner.
“Borders divide, but most of all borders are a place of exchange”, said Jury Member Miguel Monteiro de Barros, referring to the topic of this year’s NECE Festival. “When reviewing the applications, the key factor was, how much did a project challenge existing borders. The international dimension played a very big role in our assessment.”
The Bridging Gaps Award came with a prize of € 10,000 for intensifiying and upscaling SNS’ work.
EUSTORY Director Katja Fausser hopes that the Bridging Gaps Award will only be a starting point for further cooperation. “It’s a time of changes, polarisation is growing, there’s a lack of social cohesion. With the Bridging Gaps we hope to reach out to initiatives and projects that provide answers to current challenges in society. We are much looking forward to working together with SNS and exchange ideas.”