Call for Concept Notes: Policy Responses to Address Conflict Economies in Borderlands

The Cross-border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme works to deepen understanding of conflict-affected regions, especially borderlands where political, social, and economic dynamics are highly complex. XCEPT seeks to generate evidence-based insights to inform better policymaking, programme design, and conflict-sensitive interventions. The programme recognises that borderland communities often experience overlapping challenges of weak governance, conflict-driven economies, illicit trade, and instability. To address these, XCEPT commissions high-quality research that explores the intersection of conflict, economic activity, and governance. By supporting innovative and empirically grounded research, XCEPT aims to contribute to conflict prevention, stability, and sustainable development. Its work is designed to bridge gaps between academic scholarship, policy frameworks, and practical interventions. XCEPT also places strong emphasis on inclusivity by encouraging the participation of Global South researchers, local institutions, and collaborative consortia. The programme is committed to producing not only scholarly research but also policy-oriented outputs and accessible public content such as blogs, podcasts, and videos. Ultimately, XCEPT serves as a platform for developing actionable knowledge and practical solutions to address pressing challenges in fragile and conflict-affected regions, while promoting international cooperation and locally grounded approaches.

The Bridging Narratives Grant is an intersectional initiative funded by the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. It aims to foster collaborative projects between independent journalists and social scientists, blending academic research and journalism to produce critical, people-centered narratives. The selected projects will address key global themes such as migration, political economy, ecology, and culture, highlighting their local implications through in-depth reporting. The goal is to create high-quality, participatory content that is disseminated through The Contrapuntal’s digital magazine. In addition to financial support, successful applicants will attend a workshop focused on journalism-research collaborations, culminating in an edited volume reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of merging the two fields.