Understanding and Prevention of Radicalization among Youth

Learning objectives:

• Understanding the causes of extremism/radicalization
• Mapping the extremism/radicalization phenomena in Europe and finding connections between them 
• Finding and analyzing the main factors leading to extremism/radicalization, as well as those leading to their prevention 
• 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
• Contributing to the recognition and visibility of good practices and new methods/strategies used to fight youth radicalization, reached through the development of a “Youth Workers engaged to prevent radicalization of young people” Guide which will be developed with the contributions of project participants. 

Learning outcomes

• During this training course, we will work on developing the following skills and competences with our participants:
• Development of tools for youth workers to recognize signs of radicalization at an early stage within their specific area of work
• Provision with consistent and effective instruments to help report their observations to the appropriate institutions
• Establishment of prevention strategies that will enable all youth workers to respond appropriately to vulnerable youngster at risk of radicalization
• Development of specific skills for organizing and actively facilitating sessions with young people in risk of radicalization (especially marginalized ones)
• Identification of non-formal methods that can be adapted in the active framework of anti- radicalization processes

Abilities to be fostered during the project: 

• Identifying the signs of young people trapped in the radicalization process of terrorist groups (session “Spot the Sign”, duscussing susceptibility to indoctrination; the need for identity, meaning and belonging; being influenced or controlled by a group; feelings of grievance and injustice; etc.
• Choosing appropriate learning methods and adapting existing ones to the needs of young people in risk of radicalization (sessions “Intercultural dialogue” and “Conflict management”, giving participants methods to use in their youth work)
• Developing an appropriate program for different profiles of young people and asking questions to support the learning process
• Supporting young people in overcoming learning barriers through including different categories of young people in the follow-up phase with partner organizations
• Facilitating learning about prejudice and discrimination (session “Intercultural dialogue” – presenting different cultures in their local communities)
• Anticipating potential extremism or radicalization-identifying specific signs (through various examples/questions asked)
• Encouraging the expression of different points of view – intercultural tools developed through the mobility

Skills to be developed:

• Recognizing and working with group dynamics - facilitating sessions during the mobility
• Collecting, analyzing and organizing information in order to prepare specific activities for the follow-up stage
• Motivating others to take an active role – by disseminating results among members, youth workers, leaders and relevant stakeholders

Other transversal skills:

• Necessity to organize work with young people in risk of radicalization
• Intercultural and civic competencies through participating in all sessions of the mobility
• Detailed information about the phenomenon of radicalization among young people in the 8 participating countries, as well as the solutions to be applied at the level of youth work to prevent this phenomenon

Profile of participants:

• Participants in the training should be:
• Youth workers directly working with young people in risk of radicalization such as marginalized young people: minorities, institutionalized, juvenile delinquents, Roma, homeless, young people over 18 years who are not enrolled in the child welfare system without family, long term NEETs. 
• Not part of the staff/management teams of the partner organizations
• Residents in a partner country
• Older than 18
• Working-level English proficiency to be able to follow the training course and contribute to it
• Holding formal training or wanting to deepen their specific knowledge/skills in psychology and social work 
• Aiming to develop/ acquire practical skills enabling them to work with potential victims of radicalization phenomenon
• At least basic knowledge and understanding of non-formal education and communication
• Knowledge about the specific context in their NGOs and local communities
• Willingness to further disseminate the project results and participate in the follow-up phase
• Comfortable with shared accommodation conditions (participants will be accommodated in shared rooms with 2 or 3 beds per room)