Understanding and Prevention of Radicalization Among Youth – Фондация "Солидарност в действие"

International Training Course

„Understanding and Prevention of Radicalization among Youth“

Context

Taking into account the presence of extremist movements in the EU, as well as the terrorists events from 2018 and 2019 in the UK, France and other, Foundation „Solidarity Works“ considers it highly important to gather active young people, youth workers and activists from European and MENA countries to discuss the extremism phenomena in EU which nowadays threaten democracies. The feeling of insecurity which terrorists aim to create has the potential to undermine the cohesion of our societies, and is particularly harmful for youth who can fall victims to radicalization or become closed-minded and distrusting towards others as a response to extremism. Our training course aims to promote active participation of youth in prevention of extremism phenomena, and developing knowledge and practical approaches to combat radicalization through youth work and non-formal education.

How do extremist movements emerge in Europe? Financial crisis, unemployment, violated rights of marginalized social groups create a good environment for extremism to emerge. Extremism results in a variety of negative phenomena such as xenophobia, discrimination, violence, social conflict, nationalism. Overcoming this current condition requires active participation of a varied group of key actors.

Idea

Our consortium of 8 non-governmental organizations from Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, UK, France, Italy and Jordan agreed on several issues of concern to be addressed through this project in order to prevent youth radicalization. Issues were identified through a SWOT analysis:

1. Absence of a mutual agenda and lack of quality working methods for youth workers regarding anti-radicalization among youth in local communities/countries;

2. Lack of recognition and wide visibility of the best strategies/methods used on this topic;

3. Deficiency of day-to-day cooperative peer-to-peer exchange instrument among youth organizations, especially for those working with youth at risk of radicalization.

This project has the main aim to address youth radicalization by offering training to understand the phenomenon of radicalization, develop prevention strategies and methods to be used by youth workers, and foster cooperation between key actors. Importantly, we will also share best practices related to radicalization prevention from our respective countries and develop a Guide for Youth Workers to be shared with and used by other youth workers and institutions concerned.

Objectives

The main objectives of the training course are:

▲ Understanding the causes of extremism/radicalization and where it develops

▲ Mapping the extremism/radicalization phenomena in Europe and finding connections between them

▲ Finding and analyzing the main actors in relation to development of extremism/radicalization and those who act to prevent it

▲ Analyzing European values and how they can be used as tools against extremism and radicalization

▲Equipping youth workers with organizational abilities, resources/methods and required competencies on youth inclusion, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, integration and conflict management, as tools of prevention of youth radicalization–competences gathered through thematic workshops, study visits and local actions with marginalized Youth.

What will the training course participants learn and experience?

The training program is organized under 4 themes:

Understanding Extremism and Radicalization among Youth

▲understanding the causes of extremism/radicalization and where it develops

▲ identifying and analyzing the main actors of generational extremism/radicalization and the ones to prevent it

Cultural Awareness

▲developing a tolerant and understanding approach to other young people’s cultures

▲mapping the extremism/radicalization phenomena in Europe and finding connections between them

▲ analyzing European values and how they can be used as tools against extremism and radicalization

Developing Advocacy Tools and Skills

▲developing tools and instruments for youth workers to recognize signs of radicalization at an early stage

▲providing common, consistent, and effective instruments to help youth workers report their observations to the appropriate institutions

▲developing specific skills for organizing, implementing, and actively facilitating sessions with young people in risk of radicalization (especially marginalized ones)

Professional Development

▲establishing a series of prevention strategies and tools to respond appropriately to youth at-risk of radicalization

▲ equipping youth workers with organizational abilities, resources/methods and required competencies on youth inclusion, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, integration and conflict management

▲developing competences through thematic workshops, study visits, and local actions with marginalized youth

Dates in 2021 – TBD

SolidarityWorks Center for Learning, Sharing, and Cultural Exchange

International Partners:

If you are interested in joining the project and are a resident of one of the following countries, don’t hesitate to e-mail us or our partners for more information.