I527-290 ESRIF Final Report (WEB).indd - European Commission

4. Best Practices in Community-Based Approaches to Radicalisation
Both research and practice have shown that the most eff ective level of intervention against radicalisation occurs on the communitybased
level. Despite the existence of diff erent community-based approaches there has been little eff ort to benchmark and
evaluate the eff ectiveness of various measures according to national context. What works, why and is it possible to measure each
measure and its eff ects in the community? More research needs to be conducted comparatively as to the merits and eff ectiveness
of various community-based approaches according to context. Where should the balance lie between government interference
and support and for more grassroots initiatives, civil society engagement and community-based approaches? In particular, studies
on the way in which major cities have approached and managed radicalisation ought to be encouraged.
5. Developing eff ective counter-narratives
Strategically it is necessary to create mechanisms for a counter-narrative (against extremist elements with an exclusionary
ideology and global agenda. The so-called Single Narrative is composed of an expanding collage of intertwined foreign
policy and domestic issues that are diffi cult to separate and deconstruct and one that feeds into the grievance and view that
the West is at war with Islam. Some have argued that it is the foreign policies and the regional confl icts that take precedence
over domestic causes leading to radicalisation; others argue that foreign issues are only legitimating issues and it is the
domestic grievances that are the primary causes for radicalisation. More research needs to focus on this interrelationship
between the foreign and domestic parts of the Single Narrative.
Research needs to focus on: what is the media strategy of extremist groups? Who are receptive to the extremist message?
How can the attractiveness of the extremist message be undermined? What weaknesses of the extremist messages can be
utilised and is it possible to build resilience among the target audience?
Are there hierarchies of contested issues and which ones can be aff ected strategically and during times of crisis? What are
the best strategies to deliver eff ective counter-narratives and who are best placed to deliver what part of this strategy?
Is there a role for public-private partnerships? What are eff ective and credible delivery mechanisms?
6. The Role of the Media and Internet
Terrorism is invariably the ‘propaganda of the deed’ and the media has often been charged as being the ‘oxygen’ of
terrorism. Competing narratives in a global, fragmented media environment may feed into the radicalisation discourse
and the projection of grievances. Research needs to be conducted on the role media play in fuelling radicalisation and as a
countervailing force against it. The role of symbolic discourse and the way it feeds into cultural identity needs to be further
understood and studied. Similarly the Internet communities is an important gateway into extremist circles and research
needs to focus on understanding the extent to which online discourse and media connects radicalised individuals with
each other and how it aff ects the radicalisation phenomenon. On another level, research should be encouraged to study
how existing self-regulation in relation to child pornography and racism could be similarly applied to radicalisation.
7. The Role of Gateway Organisations
Extremist groups that espouse an antidemocratic agenda and advocate separation from mainstream society is increasingly
diffi cult to deal with for governments within democratic societies. On the one hand, these extremist groups may be viewed
as a potential conveyer belt into further extremism leading to violence. On the other hand, these groups may be considered
to absorb violent tendencies rather than promote them. Research needs to be conducted on what avenues are available
for engagement for governments? Should governments engage radical elements? If so, what are the best methods and
where are the pitfalls? Should these extremist groups be banned? How do European democracies engage and empower
moderate elements as a countervailing force against extremism?
8. Limits of Political Activism
Freedom of speech and freedom of assembly and public protest constitute some essential elements of democratic practice and
principles. Activism and public protest are part of a vibrant democracy. However, knowledge about where the limits lie is not
always widely known among youths and activists. Where are the so-called red lines of social protest? More research needs to focus
on how far political activism can and should proceed. Similarly research should focus on the limits of extremist activist groups;
their strategies and behaviour to understand the dilemmas posed for democracies, social cohesion and integration agendas.
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