Preventing and Addressing Violent Extremism through Community Resilience in the Balkans and MENA

ended

Based on an interdisciplinary, participatory and inter-regional approach, the main objectives of PAVE are (1) to advance evidence-based knowledge on violent extremism in the MENA and the Western Balkans beyond the state-of-the-art, and (2) to strengthen the capacity of policy-makers and community leaders and support multi-stakeholder exchange for an effective prevention of violent extremism between the European Union and its neighbourhood. To achieve these objectives PAVE will conduct comprehensive analysis on the drivers and contexts of violent extremism at the interface between religion, politics and identity, with a specific focus on factors of community vulnerability to ideological and behavioural patterns of radicalisation. PAVE will also assess the relevance and effectiveness of preventive initiatives against violent extremism, with a specific focus on measures to enhance community resilience. The four thematic areas of investigation are: 1) interface between religious, political and ethnic/sectarian extremisms, (2) interaction between religious and state institutions, (3) on- and offline narratives and (de-)radicalisation, and (4) transnational interactions, including impact on and from Europe. The empirical enquiry will encompass in-depth case study research in selected municipalities in four Balkan countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia) and three MENA countries (Tunisia, Lebanon, Iraq); intra-regional comparative analysis; and cross-regional comparative especially talking into consideration effects on European Security. PAVE will also develop innovative training tools and guidelines to support agents of community resilience (including religious leaders, mayors, educators, civil society organisations, women and youth), and will support mutual learning on best practices and increase awareness on drivers and contexts by engaging stakeholders, community leaders, policy-makers and wider public in the EU, MENA and Balkans.