Community cohesion projects to prevent violent extremism

This review looks at the use of community cohesion projects to prevent or counter violent extremism (P/CVE). It finds that such initiatives can be helpful in conflict-affected societies, but
there are limited evaluations in the literature, and these generally do not make a direct causal link between interventions to promote social (community) cohesion and P/CVE. The retreat of Daesh from territories under its control, notably in Iraq and Syria, has created a massive challenge of bringing about integration between divided communities, notably populations seen as having collaborated with the group, former combatants, and those who suffered persecution or were displaced because of Daesh. Failure to bring about social cohesion carries the real risk of renewed extremism, violence and conflict. Social cohesion can help prevent/counter violent extremism (P/CVE) by building relationships and reducing the marginalisation that is a potential driver of extremism. There is considerable overlap between social cohesion and the reintegration aspect of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) programmes. Initiatives to promote social cohesion can be divided into those where this is the primary objective, and those where this is seen as a ‘by-product’ of other goals, notably development. This review focuses on the former. Approaches to promoting social cohesion include: joint collaboration on development projects; opportunities for mixing and interaction between different groups; inter-group dialogues; and awareness-raising/sensitisation workshops. The review found some evidence in the literature for the link between community cohesion and P/CVE. A study of peacebuilding programmes in Africa found that local counternarratives created and disseminated by trusted community leaders were a prominent protective factor against VE. It also found that if members of distinct groups had opportunities to discuss their perspectives and were provided strategies for forging relationships with one another, they would be more tolerant of one another and be less likely to support VE. Studies of VE in Kenya echo these findings: association between members of different religious groups was found to be a significant factor in building resilience to VE. The review identified a diverse range of projects being carried out to promote social cohesion in conflict-affected regions, notably those formerly controlled by Daesh. Projects in Iraq include: brokering of reconciliation agreements between different communities to reduce violence; support to local civil society organisations to conduct local dialogues on divisions and how to overcome them; establishment of youth centres open to all communities, and collective community development projects.