The training covered topics including preventing and countering violent extremism (P/VE), radicalization and recruitment (R&R), and other forms of extremism. It also focused on the local implementation of the strategic vision for addressing these issues, with a specific emphasis on the involvement of the Municipal Assembly and Municipal Staff in combating violent extremism and terrorism.
A total of 15 participants, 2 of them women, gathered for this training which started with an introduction of the objectives of the National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Terrorism 2023-2028 and its Action Plan. The training delved into the role of the Municipal Assembly and its Staff in addressing terrorism and forms of violent extremism, presented by Labinot Leposhtica – Legal Office and Monitoring Coordinator at BIRN Kosovo.
Present in this training was also Milot Sfishta – Representative of the Department for Public Safety in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who emphasized the crucial role of local authorities in meeting the objectives of the Strategy. He presented the current situation with this strategy and the work that has been done, especially within schools with teachers, psychologists, and social workers to create a more acceptable environment for returnees.
During the training session, the participants were very active with discussions, sharing many experiences starting from the way they understand extremism to many cases that they faced and are related to different forms of extremism, with an emphasis on etno-nationalism. The presentation and subsequent discussions served to enhance their knowledge and awareness regarding this topic, resulting in a more informed group of individuals by the end of the session.
This training was held as part of the ‘Resilient Community Programme’ funded by GCERF.