YOU-DARE (YOUth Debunking the Gendered Arguments of far-Right Extremism) is an EU-funded project, running from 2025 to 2028, exploring gender dynamics within far-right discourses across eight European countries. Using an intersectional approach, it investigates the ways in which far-right youth groups leaders and influencers construct and mobilise gender identities, and how these narratives impact democratic values as they become normalised. The project aims to uncover the complexities of far-right ideologies and to develop strategies and tools to strengthen democratic values.  

YOU-DARE is an interdisciplinary program, involving 11 partners across 8 countries (DK, ES, UK, FR, HU, IT, RO, SE). Is is funded by EU’s Horizon Europe Program (Feb 2025 – Jan 2028) under the grant agreement ID: 101178147 

The main objectives of YOU-DARE are to:  

• Develop a critical understanding of the construction and performance of gender roles in far-right movements and their impact on democracy, EU values and fundamental rights  

• Provide evidence-based insights into the role of online communities in the promotion of reactionary, identitarian and extremist ideals, focusing on different forms of masculinity from an intersectional perspective and drawing on engagement with these communities and platforms.  

• Examine gender roles in political leadership styles and narratives, especially in nationalist and extremist parties, and their impact on democratic participation, decision-making and trust in governance, and propose alternative models for more democratic leadership.  

• Develop innovative methods, policy approaches and tools to tackle antidemocratic narratives and tendencies, characterised by identitarian, nationalist, and extremist ideals.  

We use a carefully laid out methodology before we qualify any speech, ideas, actions as extremism of the far-right variety. We do not engage in blanket statements, nor do we take our assertions lightly. 

The YOU-DARE project is a research project. It does not endorse or oppose any political party but aims to provide evidence-based insights to counter radicalisation and promote democratic values in Europe.  

We aren’t, at all – in fact, many right-wing people go to great lengths to oppose and distance themselves from the far right, which YOU-DARE studies. We are not engaged in a political campaign, which means that we will not endorse or promote any kind of ideology, whatever it may be called: woke, far right, far left.  YOU-DARE specifically addresses far-right radicalisation, which is distinct from mainstream conservative politics. The project focuses on extremist movements that use gender narratives to promote exclusionary and authoritarian ideologies.   

The project examines how certain gendered narratives, particularly those reinforcing hyper-masculinity, can contribute to radicalisation. It does not suggest that all men are affected by or contribute to extremism.   

No. While the project places a strong focus on hyper-masculinity, it also examines how gender roles, including feminity, are used in far-right discourses. The project looks at how these narratives impact both men and women.   

The project uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including:   

- Literature reviews and discourse analysis of far-right narratives.   

- Interviews with key stakeholders.   

- Analysis of online and offline media.   

- Co-creation workshops with policymakers and stakeholders.   

- Pilot projects 

The project will produce research papers, as well as tools to better understand far-right ideologies and good practices to counter radicalisation and promote democratic values. Project outputs will consist of, but not limited to: 

• Scientific publications fully accessible online via the open repository Zenodo  

• Policy briefs 

• A toolkit aimed at policymakers and practitioners to counter gendered radicalization through innovative policies 

• Capacity-building workshops 

• An Open Policy Lab to co-develop policy recommendations.   

The project collaborates directly with policymakers, civil society organisations, NGOs to translate research into actionable policies and interventions.   

YOU-DARE shares updates on its official website (www.YOU-DARE.eu) and social media channels.  You can also register to the newsletter to receive regular updates.  

If you come across misleading or false information about YOU-DARE, please contact the project team through the website or email us at contact@YOU-DARE.eu