Extremism, Radicalisation and Citizenship

ended

The 2012 terrorist attacks in Toulouse (Mohamed Mérah) demonstrated how young people can commit acts of extreme violence following a process of radicalisation, generating a feeling of fear and anxiety that undermines social cohesion and the attractiveness of local areas. These feelings are reinforced by a lack of understanding of the process of radicalisation and the various forms that extremism can take. To address this phenomenon, RAD2CITIZEN is aimed particularly at young people, with a view to deconstructing this pathway to violence and radicalisation as early as possible. The aim of the project is to reduce the violence associated with radicalisation, using four methods: coordinating all stakeholders both locally and across Europe, pooling data and analysis, building a common culture, and developing synergies between actions in order to harmonise responses. Following on from the H2020 PRACTICIES project, fiver partners are providing a response to radicalisation phenomena: Toulouse Métropole (the local authority responsible for administering the Greater Toulouse area), which is involved in preventing radicalisation among young people; the city of Málaga, one of a small number of cities with an integrated local plan for preventing violent radicalisation; the International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders in Malaga (CIFAL Malaga); the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule Salzburg – FHS), an expert in tools involving residents in preventing and countering radicalisation; the Centre for Security Studies (KEMEA) at the Greek Ministry of Citizen Protection (Athens), an expert in security and training. The approach proposed is broken down into the following three technical work packages (WPs): WP3, involving the development of an observation and support unit, by means of analysis by FHS, to guide local stakeholders in defining public policies and a methodology for intervention, and acting to address the phenomena underpinning extremism, irrespective of where they occur; WP4, to support the extended appropriation of effective, validated tools by local stakeholders, in conjunction with the parties involved in dealing with these forms of extremism; and lastly, WP5, involving the development of an action plan, combined with a training plan, on how to manage the identity-based conflicts associated with migratory flows, led by CIFAL MALAGA.