An antidote to hate

This year's appeal is in honour of those keeping hope alive

- Katharine Viner Editor-in-chief

It has been an unsettling year of social division, anger and unrest in the UK and beyond.

Extremist violence and rhetoric are escalating, with the demonisation of migrants reaching a fever pitch. Far-right activists march in the streets. NHS nurses, care workers and charities face abuse amid a resurgence of “1970s-style racism”.

Against this toxic backdrop, the Guardian is launching its 2025 charity appeal. This year’s theme, unapologetically, is hope. We are supporting grassroots charities, which, through their vital work at the heart of local neighbourhoods, nurture community pride and positive change, and provide a powerful antidote to polarisation, distrust and hate.

Our partner charities - and the projects they support - are united in the belief that however loud the forces of hate and division, they will never drown out the values shared by the majority: tolerance, compassion and humanity.

Many communities face huge challenges, as public services, communal spaces and civic infrastructure have been eroded.

Rising inequality, driven by austerity and our broken economic model, has led to resentment. For many, poverty is deep-rooted. For others, dreams of a better future - for themselves and their children - have been dashed.

Trust in politicians and institutions is fragile. The spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, enabled by social media and the rightwing press, has distorted debate. Intimidation, harassment and violence against minorities and those who support them have grown. It can feel frightening, and bleak.