Just in time for election season, several area nonprofits recently launched a new project aimed at combating divisiveness in Minnesota. The idea? Connect people who may not agree with each other to talk about issues important to them and, with any luck, create some sort of shared action to move forward.

Organizers said the campaign, dubbed Minnesota: Land of Neighbors, formed around one core question: How do we create space to hear each other, live with more humanity and take action to solve challenges on behalf of the common good?

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“I think the moment is ripe where Minnesotans recognize that we do have real, meaningful differences – and we will always have real and meaningful differences – and that doesn’t have to divide us,” said Libby Stegger, executive director of Civic Bridgers, one of the organizations leading the project, alongside Braver Angels and Common Ground USA.

Land of Neighbors: ‘Stronger with more perspectives’

To put the project into action, organizers created a “neighbors team” leading the work with advisors from a variety of backgrounds, industries and locations across the state. They started convening over the winter, when they realized that their work as individual organizations could be stronger with more perspectives.

To kick off the campaign, Minnesota: Land of Neighbors organizers will convene a listening session in Fergus Falls on July 15. The event will include about 20 people taking part in a discussion about community connection and how they envision their future. More listening sessions will be scheduled throughout the state.

At the listening sessions, Stegger said the organizers would “not be assuming … what actions [participants] want to take together, either now or in the future.” Instead, she said, organizers would facilitate the conversations, reflect back what they hear, and help the group create something together.

Rather than working toward a pre-determined outcome, the goal is to help Minnesotans build their ability to connect and “seed something that can live on,” she said.

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Nathan Stock, a Minneapolis-based conflict resolution expert and member of the neighbors team, acknowledged Americans’ lack of trust in the current political climate. To cut through the tension, the most credible messengers of ideas and solutions “might just be regular folks,” he said. 

Stock said the promise of Minnesota: Land of Neighbors is its intent to form connections and spur ideas that grow beyond the project itself. He also thinks that Americans are looking to see people being kind to each other and bridging political divides.

Stegger said, “If you’re feeling that tension, feeling exhausted with the conflict, and also believe that we don’t have to live like this … this is for you and we need your voice.”

To join a listening session, visit the Minnesota: Land of Neighbors website.

Lily Kopp is a student at the University of Iowa and a MinnPost summer reporting intern.

Editor’s note: MinnPost partners with one of the organizations named in this story, Civic Bridgers, to host a Civic Bridgers fellow.

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