Evidence-to-Action Framework for Strengthening Intergroup Cohesion in Divided Societies

Overview & Synopsis

Deep divisions between social groups, rooted in long-standing social, economic, and institutional foundations, slow development, weaken institutions, and can unravel years of progress. This paper sets out a framework for strengthening intergroup cohesion in divided societies and offers practical guidance for development teams. It synthesizes findings on five intervention modalities with proven impacts (collaborative contact, intergroup dialogue, perspective taking, mediation training, and edutainment) and guides practitioners on matching each to context. Effects across rigorous evaluations are consistent but modest, pointing to incremental rather than transformative change. Drawing on case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, the framework offers diagnostic tools, illustrative indicators, and operational guidance for embedding cohesion activities into projects and tracking results over time.