On 10 September 2026, the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE Center), in cooperation with the Interreligious Council of Albania (IRCA) and Hedayah, held the closing conference of the “Peace and Harmony” awareness campaign and the project “Message Dissemination by Religious and Community Leaders in Albania”. The conference brought together representatives of Albanian institutions, the European Union, religious communities, civil society, the media and partner organisations.
The campaign was implemented with the support of the European Union programme Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism (STRIVE II). Launched in 2024, the project supported religious and community actors in creating and disseminating positive and alternative messages, counter-messages and counter-narratives, with the aim of strengthening the resilience of vulnerable groups to extremist propaganda and ideologies.
Through practical training and ongoing technical assistance, 17 religious and community actors representing five religious communities were equipped with communication tools and techniques to develop key messages and compelling content for social media and their communities. The process followed Hedayah’s four-phase model: planning, production, promotion and evaluation.
As a result of this process, four audiovisual products were created. They address online and offline bullying; promote mutual understanding and peaceful interfaith coexistence; highlight the role of religious leaders in preventing violent extremism; and encourage discussion on coexistence, resilience and faith-based narratives through a podcast format.
The “Peace and Harmony” campaign ran for six weeks and incorporated monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Its messages were disseminated through social media, television, six online media outlets, advertising in public spaces and awareness-raising activities in schools.
The campaign reached approximately 560,000 people across Albania. Awareness-raising activities were held in 16 schools, where approximately 3,000 leaflets and 100 posters were distributed, reaching more than 5,200 students. Coverage by six online media outlets generated an additional audience of approximately 20,000 readers.
The closing conference was attended by Ms. Lejdi Dervishi, Director of the CVE Center; Mr. Davide Casale, representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania; H.E. Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, Chair of IRCA and World Leader of the Bektashi Order; H. Bujar Spahiu, Head of the Muslim Community of Albania; Father Grigor Pelushi, representative of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania; Mons. Gjergj Meta, President of the Albanian Bishops’ Conference; Pastor Erjon Sylari, President of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania; Associate Professor Dr. Genti Kruja, Secretary General of IRCA; as well as representatives of Hedayah, public institutions, civil society and the media.
In her remarks, Ms. Lejdi Dervishi, Director of the CVE Center, emphasised that preventing violent extremism is not solely a matter of security; it is also a matter of social cohesion, education, faith and communities’ ability to resist hatred, exclusion and violence. Success is measured not only in views or shares, but also in the reflection prompted by a message, the conversation it starts or the attitude it changes.
“Albania has a precious asset: its tradition of interfaith coexistence and harmony. But this asset must be protected and passed on to the younger generation,” said Ms. Dervishi.
In their remarks, religious representatives commended the work undertaken and called for continued cooperation among all stakeholders, emphasising messages of peace, harmony and interfaith coexistence.
The conference also included a discussion and evaluation session on the campaign’s impact, the results of the two-year programme and the lessons learned. Participants emphasised the need for sustainability and continued engagement, particularly in communication with young people in schools and religious communities, and through cooperation among civil society, public institutions and international partners. By placing trusted local voices at the heart of prevention efforts, the initiative contributes to strengthening social cohesion and building communities that are safer and more resilient to violent extremism.
In his closing remarks, the European Union Regional Counter-Terrorism and P/CVE Adviser, Mr. Eddy Greif, commended the project’s achievements, noting that initiatives of this kind bring colour to the black-and-white world that extremism seeks to impose. He stressed the importance of focusing on prevention, responding swiftly to content that fuels radicalisation—particularly on social media—and strengthening strategic communication. In this context, Mr. Greif highlighted the need for sustained awareness-raising campaigns and for the creation, publication and dissemination of positive messages and counter-narratives.
With the support of the European Commission (#EUDAlbania), under the #STRIVEII programme, we continue working together to amplify positive voices and build communities that are safer, more inclusive and more resilient to violent extremism.

Read more:
Ministry of Internal Affairs
https://mb.gov.al/newsroom/komunikimi-dhe-bashkepunimi-me-komunitetet-kyc-per-parandalimin-e-ekstremizmit-te-dhunshem/

Albanian Telegraphic Agency
https://ata.gov.al/2026/09/10/lideret-fetare-bashkojne-zerat-per-tolerancen-dhe-parandalimin-e-ekstremizmit-te-dhunshem/?amp=1