A crucial output of the HOPE project in the short term is creating a network around the phenomenon of radicalisation and violent extremism.
This network is intended at supporting continuous training and knowledge sharing in the Balkans, Southern and Eastern European countries. In this way, the project’s consortium is making concerted efforts towards realising a European learning hub on radicalisation.
Such learning hub (network) will comprise training and research organisations, academies, prison and probation administrations and community organisations from several countries, which can intervene in radicalisation prevention.
Moreover, the organisations that will integrate the network to build under the auspices of the HOPE project will be necessary to disengagement strategies and action. The network also comprises entities that can intervene to improve the transition process – from prison or probation back into the community – for those at risk of radicalisation or who have already been radicalised.
The HOPE project will achieve this result by promoting a holistic radicalisation prevention approach focusing on offenders, prison and probation frontline staff and community organisations.
The project is now working on screening and identifying the relevant national and regional stakeholders to join the network. We will then implement a knowledge base among network members in an electronic platform, on HOPE’s project website, for knowledge sharing on the radicalisation field.
A network engaged in radicalisation prevention: A regional focus but an overarching importance
A core expected result of the HOPE project is creating a learning hub focusing on the Balkan, Southern and Eastern European countries but we aspire to go beyond that as this initiative aims to contribute to solutions that are being discussed and advanced in the broader European spectrum.
Through the project partners, the European learning hub on radicalisation built under the HOPE project will continue to animate a network for the ongoing sharing of information and experiences on radicalisation.
Moreover, the involvement of public services in the network will facilitate the integration of project results into national policies and contribute to the broader European discussion and efforts around the issue.
This network is invested with great importance because it will be excellent support for all stakeholders that will be part of it.
Given the current lack of tools and learning solutions around radicalisation, deradicalisation, and disengagement, a network of this nature is sorely needed. This scarcity will certainly motivate government agencies (namely prison and probation systems) and NGOs to use the HOPE tools and materials, even after the end of the project.
Furthermore, the list of partners implementing the project includes countries from various cardinal points in Europe. This feature enables the consortium to contrast different regional approaches and ensure the transferability of project results to the broader European context.
Regional cooperation and innovation go hand in hand
The innovative character of the HOPE project is linked to the regional-specific approach proposed and to active and collaborative methods. The project uses such methods to collect and discuss needs, learnings and best practices and develop and implement training in the field of radicalisation awareness, prevention and disengagement/deradicalisation.
Thus, we add value to the European thematic discussion while focusing on the regional specificities of the Balkan, Southern and Eastern European jurisdictions.
Additionally, establishing a European learning hub on radicalisation is a project outcome in line with enhancing cooperation and improving mutual knowledge and understanding between the donor and beneficiary states, a broader goal of the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Regional Cooperation.
