About the course

Radicalisation, which may lead to extremism, violent extremism or terrorism, has overwhelmed the political agenda in Europe during the last couple of years. It has also been brought to the agenda of the Western Balkan countries and their authorities, who invest in capacity-building and police reform as part of fulfilling EU pre-accession conditions and other international commitments.

This e-learning course was prepared in order to support policymakers and practitioners with as much information as possible on the contemporary phenomena of radicalisation that may lead to violent extremism or terrorism, with a specific orientation on the Western Balkan region. It does not prescribe a certain solution. It attempts to offer a useful overview of good practices and elements that may prove useful in the further efforts of the Western Balkan authorities.

The course is part of the Western Balkan Counter-Terrorism Initiative, a regional endeavour in the Western Balkans, financially supported by the EU IPAII2016 Multi-Country Action “Support to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in the Western Balkans”.

Target group

This course is intended for anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge on the issues related to the process of radicalisation, violent extremism or terrorism and on the tools on proper engaging and responding to the P-CVE challenges.

While the course is open to everyone interested in the topic, the following groups of professionals will benefit most from it and will be able to practically apply the knowledge in their daily work and lives:

• The “first-line” practitioners – those who are first to encounter the radicalisation process:
  Teachers, Police officers, Media journalists, Physicians, Prison officers, Religious officials, etc.
• Policy professionals dealing with the political, security or social spheres of life.

Structure of the course

The course offers 4 modules and is based on operational experience. Each module offers specific information about an aspect related to the P-CVE:

• Module 1 provides understanding of the basic concepts and definitions related to the P-CVE;
• Module 2 provides an overview of the strategic framework;
• Module 3 introduces the concept of the ‘whole-of-society’ approach to the P-CVE and specifies the tools that are available for tackling the phenomenon of radicalisation on the state and local level;
• Module 4 offers specific information for each of the first-line practitioners and stakeholders on recognising and properly engaging in the process of radicalisation.

In addition to the 4 modules, you can review some of the practical examples, which will provide you with additional, practical, examples of P-CVE.

You can also decide to pursue a certification on completion of the e-learning course by taking and successfully passing a test.

The course was designed through close collaboration with the Western Balkan countries as well as the international community with the aim to raise the awareness and improve the understanding of the Western Balkan society actors, practitioners and citizens on P-CVE issues.