The one-day training focused on presenting and discussing the current state strategy for preventing and countering terrorism, as well as on strengthening local capacities to address security challenges related to violent extremism. The session was delivered by Labinot Leposhtica, Legal Officer and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo and a member of the Working Group for the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism, together with Milot Sfishta from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
During the training, Labinot Leposhtica emphasized the crucial role of local communities in preventing and countering extremism and terrorism, particularly through public engagement, early identification of risks, and grassroots initiatives. Milot Sfishta highlighted the important role of local authorities in implementing the objectives of the National Strategy and informed participants about recent developments and institutional efforts at the central level to address different forms of extremism.
Participants also shared their experiences related to previous cases of foreign terrorist fighters from Prizren who travelled to Syria and Iraq. According to participants, online recruitment was identified as one of the main contributing factors. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the growing impact of technological developments, including the use of artificial intelligence and online gaming environments, as emerging risk factors influencing youth vulnerability to radicalization. They also stressed the importance of early prevention measures, particularly within schools, and underlined the need for the involvement of school psychologists in identifying early signs of behavioral change. One proposal raised during the training was the potential development of a centralized reporting software that would enable schools across Kosovo to report concerning behavioral changes and monitor risks related to radicalization in a timely manner.
The training was attended by 11 participants from municipal staff and municipal assembly members of Prizren, including four women.
The training was part of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Programme funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), through Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), and implemented by BIRN Kosovo.