Gender equality and empowerment  
At COR, we recognize that unequal and established gender-based power relations need to be challenged simultaneously on the level of instruction and mentalities. Our research and programs aim at challenging policies and norms that undermine the human security of women and to empower those who seek to open new avenues in realizing gender equality in various social and cultural contexts.

Building resilience and actions against hate, discrimination, racism and exclusion 
We are committed to enhancing and promoting understanding of the ways ideologies of hate and exclusion take root in contemporary societies and in developing—along with the communities involved—grassroots strategies, alternative narratives and mechanisms of resilience to hate speech, polarization and racism. We seek answers and solutions through first-hand field research and engagement with those involved in anti-racist actions but also with those who are vulnerable to such propaganda.

Countering forms of violent and non-violent extremism, in particular religious and far-right radicalization
While religious extremism has been a constant theme in security policy in the past two decades, the recent sharp rise and growing appeal of far-right ideas and political formations emerges as a new, yet interrelated, area of concern in the field of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). At COR we look at questions of security as social issues and as indicators of successful integration of newcomers, of social mobility and equal opportunities and ultimately, social justice. Hence, our approach and projects aim at analysing and contextualizing trends of extremism. We also aim to de-legitimize divisive and extremist ideologies and build conditions which would discourage and ultimately make redundant the recourse to such ideas. Pauperization, fear of diversity, cultural anxiety, reciprocal radicalization and diminished expectations have all played their role in fuelling hate and irrationality while offering “scapegoat” narratives to disenchanted Western publics. Our multi-disciplinary research aspires to contribute to the understanding of deeper causes and offer effective explanations for the local and global rise of extremism. Most importantly, our aim is to provide evidence-based, grass-roots civil society strategies to prevent and combat such trends.