Mapping the understanding of contemporary antisemitism

Developing recommendations for addressing contemporary antisemitism based on
sample mapping in three cities in Serbia, Croatia, and Romania

The project is implemented 2024 – 2026 in Novi Sad, Rijeka, and Timisoara – three European Capitals of Culture

The project encompasses research, the development of recommendations for decision-makers, international conferences, an exhibition, a series of public talks, a series of podcasts, and a publication.

UP2US aims to develop and test-run target-group-specific methodologies for mapping the understanding of contemporary antisemitism and capacities to identify it, and to design and promote fact-based, practical guidelines and strategic recommendations for national and regional policy and decision-makers on addressing antisemitism in line with the EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.

The sample mapping will be conducted among selected societal groups and professionals essential for shaping public understanding, attitudes, opinions, and awareness of antisemitism and/or groups responsible for various measures, policies, and activities to address antisemitism:
1. Professional media
2. University
3. Secondary schools
4. Police
5. City Authorities
6. Cultural producers
7. Social media content creators and influencers
8. Local Jewish Communities

Project partners will utilize well-established international best practices in opinion research on antisemitism to develop specific mapping models that take into account local social, cultural, and historical particularities. Mapping results will be discussed at the international conference, “UP2US – Preventing and Addressing Contemporary Antisemitism.”

The findings, conclusion synthesis, and mapping analysis will be presented in the publication “UP2US – Novi Sad – Rijeka – Timișoara: Practical Guidelines and Strategic Recommendations for Policy and Decision-makers on Addressing Antisemitism,” promoted and disseminated through outreach events: exhibitions and public debates in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Timișoara, Zagreb, and Rijeka.

The short-term project goal is to get an overview of the situation, assess the needs, and suggest further steps on preventing and countering antisemitism in the specific local, national, and regional context. This unique insight into regional challenges will contribute to a deeper understanding of the connections between local, regional, and contemporary antisemitism at the European level. The long-term project goal is to raise awareness of antisemitism as a threat to democracy that concerns us all. In this way, the project UP2US aims to initiate a dialogue about national strategies for combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life.

The project is supported by the ALF Academic Research Grant.

Partners and Funders

An international effort with a focus on Southeast Europe

The UP2US project brings together academic institutions, civil society initiatives, public officials, practitioners, experts, and activists from non-Jewish and Jewish communities in Serbia, Croatia, and Romania, as well as associated partners from Germany, Norway, and the United States. The project brings focus on Southeast Europe—an often overlooked and under-researched region in efforts to define and address contemporary manifestations of antisemitism.

Partners

Terraforming, Novi Sad, Serbia
Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory – ShoahLab, University of Belgrade, Serbia (project lead)
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Croatia
Intercultural Institute Timisoara, Romania
The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Belgrade, Serbia
The Faculty of Media and Communications, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia
Center for Combating Antisemitism and Intolerance, Novi Sad, Serbia
Center for Memory Culture, Zagreb, Croatia
Foundation Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture, Serbia

Associate Partners

Decoding Antisemitism, Centre for Research on Antisemitism (ZfA), Berlin, Germany
The Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies, Oslo, Norway
The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights (TOLI), New York, USA

Alfred Landecker Foundation Academic Research Grant

Research projects on National Socialism and the Holocaust, on Antisemitism and group hatred, impact, and aftermath

The Alfred Landecker Foundation funded a small number of outstanding academic research projects with the Academic Research Grant. The aim was to gain a deeper understanding of the origins and impact of the Holocaust as well as its aftermath and memory, but also to support projects that explore and address antisemitism, racism, and violence in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Project Team

A Multidisciplinary Team Driving Change Through Research, Advocacy, Education, and Innovation

The UP2US project team comprises a diverse and highly competent group of scholars, educators, activists, and officials, combining deep academic expertise, grassroots experience, and institutional authority, with proven experience in developing groundbreaking educational methodologies, capacity-building seminars, policy guidelines, advocacy outreach programs, and media production.

Miško Stanišić
Project Director
Terraforming, Novi Sad, Serbia

Dr Milovan Pisarri
Project Head Researcher
Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory – ShoahLab, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Dr Lovro Kralj
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Rijeka, Croatia

Timea Serb
Intercultural Institute Timisoara, Romania

Mirna Herman
Center for Memory Culture, Zagreb, Croatia

Dr Dragana Stojanović
The Faculty of Media and Communications, Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia

Nevena Bajalica
Terraforming, Novi Sad, Serbia

Dr Aleksandar Stojanović
Center for Combating Antisemitism and Intolerance, Novi Sad, Serbia

Ljiljana Ćumura
Terraforming, Novi Sad, Serbia

Dr Jan Krasni
Decoding Antisemitism, Centre for Research on Antisemitism (ZfA), Berlin, Germany

Dr Calin Rus
Intercultural Institute Timisoara, Romania

Irena Molnar
Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Irena Žuvela
Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Brankica Janković
Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Belgrade, Serbia

Milica Rašković
Foundation Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture, Serbia

News and Activities

Latest news and project activities

We are developing evidence-based practical guidance for national and regional decision-makers on addressing antisemitism. This effort aligns with the EU Strategy to Combat Antisemitism and Strengthen Jewish Life. Our publication, titled “UP2US – Novi Sad – Rijeka – Timisoara: Practical Guidelines and Strategic Recommendations for Decision-Makers on Countering Antisemitism,” will be accompanied by a series of awareness-raising events and activities in Novi Sad, Belgrade, Timisoara, Zagreb, and Rijeka.
These events, under the banner “UP2US – Confronting Contemporary Antisemitism,” will include three international conferences, public debates, and podcasts featuring live audiences. We will also host an open-air exhibition showcasing research findings and recommendations. Additionally, we are creating a website and launching a social media campaign that will provide evidence-based facts about contemporary antisemitism in the region and outline effective strategies to address it.