At the KAI Inspiration Day in Pärnu, 70 participants joined the “Living Library,” where two groups of listeners had the chance to meet me as a “book” on the topic of European cooperation. I chose to tell the story of the COMBATHATE project, a CERV-funded initiative coordinated in Estonia by Nooruse Maja.
The project addresses hate speech and hate crime targeted at people with mental health challenges. In many communities, resistance emerges in the form of stereotypes, prejudice, or denial that such hostility even exists. COMBATHATE turned this resistance into a starting point for dialogue by:
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Raising awareness: creating discussions among social workers, youth workers, educators, and citizens about the realities of hate speech and its consequences.
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Developing tools: producing educational materials and practical guidelines to help professionals recognize, prevent, and respond to hate incidents.
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Testing methods: involving local stakeholders in focus groups and trainings to evaluate what works in real-life situations.
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Building networks: connecting partners across Europe to share approaches and create long-term cooperation against hate speech.
The KAI framework of resistance as an invitation to dialogue fit perfectly. What at first looked like denial or opposition often reflected deeper fears and needs. By naming these, listening actively, and engaging respectfully, the project was able to shift resistance into constructive collaboration.
In the Living Library setting, participants reflected on how these lessons apply beyond COMBATHATE — for example, in community development, crisis preparedness, or educational change. The experience showed that resistance is not an obstacle but a signal: if addressed through dialogue, it can become the very force that helps communities grow stronger.
