Community-based strategies to prevent violent extremism among youth Better insight into what drives young people to radicalisation and violent extremism across Europe, the Middle East and Africa is leading to improved prevention measures. Society © babaroga/stock.adobe.com In trying to make sense of the world, youth can be drawn to radicalisation. There is a growing body of literature on youth radicalisation, but the majority does not take into account young people’s opinions. The EU-funded CONNEKT project gives youth a strong voice in understanding the phenomenon of violent extremism. It recognises young people as agents of prevention and their right to have a say in the issues that affect them and endeavours to better comprehend grievances that may lead them to radicalisation. Making youth the focal point in tackling violent extremism “The idea is to turn youth from being the ‘problem’ into the ‘key’ for a solution,” explains CONNEKT scientific coordinator Lurdes Vidal Bertran. “Their engagement in the design of prevention measures, besides empowering them, is a determining factor in guaranteeing the relevance and legitimacy of prevention strategies and in contributing to better adoption.” By carrying out research on the ground, the project is building a consistent and complete picture of the phenomenon. The ultimate goal is to design informed prevention strategies and put forth policy recommendations that are not based on theories but on empirical data. The scientists analysed seven potential radicalisation factors among youth aged between 12 and 30 at transnational/state, community and individual levels. These are: religion; digitalisation; economic deprivation; territorial inequalities; transnational dynamics; socio-political demands; and educational, cultural and leisure opportunities. The focus is on local community authorities, organisations and leaders as the main actors of prevention. Extensive research, data and fieldwork to boost community resilience The CONNEKT team mapped past and present country strategies and approaches towards radicalisation and violent extremism in Europe, the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, North Macedonia), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia). The mapping helped to identify the main actors and existing frameworks and policies at state and local levels in preventing radicalisation and violent extremism. Eight country reports present an overview of previous and current understandings and policies developed by domestic and foreign governmental actors and NGOs. They compare the eight countries in MENA and the Balkans, with particular attention to impacts on the EU. Eight macro country papers and a cross-regional overview examine the perceptions of state institutions regarding the seven pre-identified drivers and analyse their response. Based on these publications, a policy paper and policy brief on countering and preventing macro-level (transnational/state) drivers of radicalisation and violent extremism in MENA and the Balkans translated results into policy recommendations for national authorities and the EU. Going from research to action at community level The research undertaken at community level concluded that there were significant gaps between state and community actors. These gaps concern which drivers matter in the process of radicalisation and which combinations of drivers create more vulnerable situations. Another key finding concerns the impact of international dynamics and foreign policy on group grievances. Despite a strong presence of narratives referring to international conflicts among violent extremist groups, results show that the importance of the transnational dynamics driver at state level is limited to foreign fighters or diaspora dynamics. However, at community level, the grievances are mainly local. CONNEKT is testing the drivers at individual level to identify further gaps. It is also engaging civil society actors, youth and particularly women in the grassroots creation of prevention strategies and initiatives. Keywords CONNEKT, radicalisation, youth, violent extremism, young people, community resilience
