The Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism participated in the international conference “Standards for Employing Former Extremists in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE)”, held on 4 June 2026 in Prishtina organized by the Institute for Security, Integration and Deradicalization (INSID).
The conference brought together a wide range of international and regional actors, including representatives from state institutions, international organizations, civil society, and academia. Key participants included representatives from the United Kingdom, such as Dr. Gordon Clubb from the University of Leeds, experts in strategic communications and counter-narratives, as well as representatives from the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation. Participants also included representatives from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), along with experts from Germany, Norway, Austria, and North Macedonia.
The discussions focused on the development and implementation of standards for engaging former extremists in P/CVE programs, as well as on the exchange of international practices and challenges. It was emphasized that lived experience can serve as a valuable resource for community interventions when accompanied by structured vetting processes, institutional oversight, clear professional roles, and continuous evaluation mechanisms. The importance of balancing the authenticity of personal experience with institutional accountability was also highlighted, alongside the role of international organizations and platforms such as the EU Knowledge Hub and GCERF in harmonizing practices and strengthening capacities in the Western Balkans.
Overall, the conference provided an important platform for the exchange of experiences and perspectives, reinforcing the need for a structured, ethical, and coordinated framework in the use of former extremists as credible messengers, in line with emerging international standards.