Prevention of radicalisation leading to violent extremism and terrorism is a key priority for the EU Member States and the Western Balkan partners. As common challenges require a common approach, the Commission will support the region in preventing and countering all forms of radicalisation in the framework of the accession process and implementing the Joint Action Plan on Counter-Terrorism for the Western Balkans.

The Commission will mobilise practitioners’ expertise within the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) to support prevention work in the Western Balkans, and facilitate exchanges among professionals within the region as well as with their colleagues from the EU Member States.

Challenges like the management of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their family members will be addressed through training, workshops and study visits conducted both in the region and in the EU Member States. These activities will improve the Western Balkans’ capacity to prevent radicalisation, in line with EU policy. The foreseen activities will be funded under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II) with the signature of a €1.55 million project that will be implemented over 30 months.