Local security dialogues

Background

Social and societal conflicts have become more complex. Traditional approaches, e. g. established procedures and processes, to addressing security-related conflicts at the local level are reaching their limits in a diverse and, at the same time, increasingly polarised society. The result shows clearly: when it comes to contentious issues, people tend to talk over and against one another rather than with the other.

The project

Local Security Dialogues in Brandenburg (KoSiD/B), funded by the State Prevention Council of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MIK), is a pilot project testing a new approach: structured, methodologically based dialogues between citizens, politicians and the administration on security-related social conflicts.

The pilot project is being carried out in collaboration with the State Prevention Council until mid-2027, running in parallel in three Brandenburg municipalities facing complex conflict situations. In close cooperation with local government stakeholders, each conflict is analysed and a context-specific dialogue process is established and implemented.

The aim of the dialogue is not to reach consensus at any cost – but rather to create a space for discussion that overcomes polarisation and emotional tension without losing the substance of the issues. KoSiD/B is working with local stakeholders to develop an approach that responds to today’s conflict dynamics and involves all relevant parties.

Methodology

The project operates in two stages: first, the actual problems and needs on the ground are analysed. Building on this, concrete courses of action are developed – based on precise dialogue work addressing the interests, concerns and red lines of all stakeholders.

 

 

Four key elements characterise this approach:

1. Shared pain points: Starting at an issue that is equally distressing for various groups within the community – and for which no generally accepted solution has yet been found.
2. Differentiated analysis of interests: The aim is to identify the underlying interest profiles behind the conflict. Three distinct areas are identified:
• Where do interests align or overlap?
• Where do interests diverge but coexist peacefully?
• Where are interests actually antagonistic?
3. Personal exchange in a semi-public space: Dialogue takes place through direct, externally facilitated exchanges between representatives of all parties to the conflict, within a setting that is as accessible and as neutral as possible.
4. Local partners with decision-making authority: Effective conflict resolution requires local actors who not only participate in the dialogue but also have the authority to make decisions and implement them. Only in this way can the outcomes of the discussions lead to concrete changes. Therefore,  the concept of the security dialogues is consistently participatory – from the analysis of the conflicts right through to the evaluation of the dialogue processes.

Evaluation and transferability
The impact of the approach is scientifically evaluated by the Institute for Conflict Management (IKM). Together with partners at the local and regional level, both the substantive dimension – security-related issues – and the methodology and the process itself are evaluated.