The What If takes a unique approach to transforming conflict narratives, one that begins with deeply understanding the needs of each community before co-designing any activity with them.

We believe that communities already hold the solutions to the challenges they face. Our role is to provide the space, support, and trust needed for people to come together in good faith, engage in constructive conversations, and unlock those solutions from within.

Conflict zones are often portrayed in traditional media as war-torn areas dominated by extremist narratives vying for prominence.

However, anyone who has lived in a conflict zone knows the reality is far more nuanced and complex. Local civil societies are often incredibly active in creating alternative narratives, yet these stories rarely make it to the global stage.

At The What If, we aim to amplify these nuanced, locally informed narratives to highlight possible solutions and foster better coexistence.

The What If is an offshoot of a research and development initiative called Media for Peace, led by the University of the Bundeswehr Munich.

From 2022 to 2025, our work was fully funded through the university’s research budget.

We love to hear from fellow peacebuilders!

You can reach out to us by filling out the contact form on this website.
Or you can send us an email at contact@thewhatif.org.

We start by listening. Before launching any activity, we take the time to understand the specific needs, narratives, and dynamics of each community. Over time, we’ve built a trusted network of local partners who guide and shape our work on the ground.

Together, we co-design safe and inclusive dialogue spaces where people from across divides can come together in good faith. Through futures-thinking methods and conflict-sensitive facilitation, we support communities in identifying shared challenges and unlocking their own locally led solutions. Our role is not to impose answers, but to create the conditions for constructive conversation, trust-building, and long-term impact.

The What If is a platform dedicated to transforming conflict zones into hubs of understanding and inspiration.

We empower communities affected by conflict to engage in constructive conversations that unlock locally led solutions.

The What If is a registered non-profit organization based in Munich, Germany.

Our team operates between Germany and Lebanon.

Our local partners are based in Lebanon, Afghanistan, and across the Balkans.

We use both qualitative and quantitative tools, like narrative tracking dashboards, and participant feedback, to assess the effects of our dialogues and  workshops on polarization, trust, and social cohesion.