Countering violent extremism and de-radicalization measures in Europe and the MENA region

With the rise of radical groups like the Islamic State, efforts to counter the appeal of violent extremism have gained a high priority on political-agendas across the world. Many Mediterranean countries have developed de-radicalization and radicalization prevention strategies and tactics that fall under the umbrella of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). CVE approaches vary significantly from country to country in terms of aims, budget, and underlying philosophy. Each experience is deeply shaped by political, cultural, and legal elements unique to that country. Many of them start with diverse interpretations of the origin and nature of jihadist militancy and the spectrum of radicalizing factors that lead to the emergence of jihadists hotbeds, which include unemployment, juvenile delinquency, social, political and geographical marginalization, the role of Salafism, familial ties, and the search for identity.

Consequently, the term CVE encapsulates many different strategies and tactics, with structures that vary depending on the level of the threat, the targeted populations and primary objectives. 

The workshop analyzes CVE efforts in various Mediterranean countries, identifying best practices and common challenges and seeking to provide actionable recommendations for policymakers.