The Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration organized the workshop on the completion of the project of the US Department of State “Preventing violent extremism through local voices and local initiative in the Western Balkans”, reviewing the Work Plan of the activities of the CVE Center and planning for the next six months, as well as the work objectives for 2022.

The Director of the CVE Center, Mrs. Lejdi Dervishi, presented the activity carried out by the CVE Center within the three-year project: “Preventing violent extremism through local voices and local initiative in the Western Balkans”, implemented by the IOM organization, as well as the wider activity carried out by the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism.

The project contributed to the efforts of civil society as well as central and local authorities in the Western Balkans to prevent radicalization, recruitment and inspiration of individuals in violent extremist ideologies and groups. In Albania, the project directly contributed to increase the capacity of the CVE Center through subject matter expertise and providing short-term experts in support of the identified priority areas, as well as contributing to increase the visibility of the CVE Center activities. Another important aspect of the project was the contribution to increase the exchange of experiences through meetings focused on repatriation and reintegration between Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo.

Mrs. Dervishi emphasized the role of the CVE Center on interventions at central and local level for front line actors as well as cooperation with NGOs and international organizations.

The meeting was attended by a representative of the American Embassy in Tirana, representative of the EU Delegation, National Security Adviser, as well as the Head of the IOM office in Tirana.