CASE FOR INVESTMENT - GCERF
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Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
CASE FOR INVESTMENT
1Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
CASE FOR INVESTMENT
A DIFFERENT
STORY CAN “The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is an
important moment to reaffirm our
global commitment to resist and
BE WRITTEN
confront extremism in all its forms,
and to recalibrate our responses to
ensure societies are resilient against
the divisive, hate-filled ideologies
that impact us all. Security measures
to combat violent extremism will not
on their own produce the conditions
that are vital to rewind the spread
of extremist ideas that we have
In 2019 the world spent USD 3.6 trillion on security witnessed in the last 20 years. It will take
responses to violence. Yet the most pernicious form generations to rebuild societies that
of violence, violent extremism, is still on the rise. have been affected and impacted by the
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequality, cycle of insecurity, civil war, conflicts
making even more young people susceptible to and polarisation that have been and are
extremist narratives. The threat is accelerating while being fanned by extremist actors around
traditional responses are failing. the world. And it will take collective
A different story can be written. pro-action, resources, and ingenuity to
ensure that the next generation is able
TONY BLAIR
FORMER UK
to maintain a world where extremism
has no place in society or politics”
PRIME MINISTER
Over the past three years Over the next three years with a new investment of at least
GCERF has shown how USD 120 million, we will continue to invest in people:
investing in people makes
a real difference.
We have already Providing better alternatives Turning the vicious cycle of Replacing the negative Reinforcing a new approach, Elevating global ambition
provided better for 2 million more people violent extremism in consequences of violent that integrates security and towards conceiving a future
alternatives for one directly at risk of radicalisation communities where despair extremism, including irregular development resources, generation without extremism
million people at risk to violent extremism, breeds the resentment upon migration, the export of mobilises the private sector,
significantly depleting violent which violent extremists prey, extremist narratives, and the builds strategic partnerships,
of radicalisation,
extremist groups of new into a virtuous cycle where drain on public resources, with converts political cooperation
building resilient
recruits around the world communities are resilient positive outcomes, including into practical engagement, and
and resourceful against violent extremism and trust between communities is led by communities at risk
communities other exogenous threats, and and authorities, stronger state
around them. can prosper institutions, and greater
investment including from the
private sector
2Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
AN ENDURING
CHALLENGE
Violent extremism is a direct threat to international security,
economic growth, and development.
It intensifies existing conflicts, Cabo Delgado’s vast gas resources has purpose, but mainly through military
undermines democracy, and drives been stalled indefinitely because of the means. There has been progress.
irregular migration. The violent extremist activities of ISIS affiliates in northern Organised terrorist groups like ISIS and Al
threat is transnational, even when it Mozambique. Qaeda have been pushed back in the
manifests locally, for example through Middle East and North Africa. The number
the online spread of violent ideological According to the UN, “…violent extremism of deaths attributed to terrorism globally
propaganda. Equally, domestic interests threatens to reverse much of the has reduced. Progress towards the SDGs,
are defined beyond national boundaries. development progress made in recent including on education, employment
decades” in countries across the world.
ALLEVIATING THE IMPACT OF
Trade, aid, investment, tourism, and good governance, has addressed
international security, and development The Prime Minister of Bangladesh has some of the inequities that drive people,
all put significant numbers of citizens, identified violent extremism, along with especially youth, towards radicalisation
VIOLENT EXTREMISM ON WOMEN
resources, and reputation at risk. climate change, as the greatest threat to to violent extremism.
development progress in her country.
Over the past three years, the direct The achievement of SDG 16, which aims But the threat endures. The return of
economic impact of violent extremism to promote peaceful and inclusive foreign terrorist fighters and their
has been at least USD 100 billion globally, societies for sustainable development, is families from Syria and Iraq is a legacy
and in Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria is particularly threatened by violent issue; terrorist groups are emerging in
the annual equivalent of 2 per cent of extremism. Poorer communities, and new geographies; far-right extremism is
GDP, about the same as is currently within them, women and children, bear on the rise. Violent extremism still takes
spent on healthcare or education. UNDP the brunt of the burden of violent an unacceptable toll on lives,
estimates that 16 countries across extremism. undermines prosperity and progress; “I am filled with hope because I can meet my family needs
sub-Saharan Africa lost a further USD and is an affront to universal values. and my earnings have increased from FCFA 200 (USD 0.31)
100 billion in economic activity over the Over the past 20 years, the world has
confronted the threat of violent
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating four months ago to between 1500 (USD 2.34) and 3,000 FCFA
past decade due to insecurity and the threat and undermining resilience to it.
non-state violence. The development of extremism with determination and (USD 4.68), depending on whether there are special events,”
...reported Djidia, a woman, entrepreneur and mother of three in Mali who was
part of a GCERF-funded programme in the region of Kendé, an area that is
often visited by violent extremist groups. Before the programme, Djidia was
“The pandemic is a wake-up call for whole-of-society efforts within vulnerable to recruitment. She could barely cover the basic needs of her house-
hold. Although poverty does not necessarily lead to radicalisation, economic
and between countries to recover better together. This resonates with vulnerability and relative deprivation create fertile ground for violent extremist
recommendations that I made…for a strategic investment in prevention recruitment. GCERF programmes aim to break this cycle by offering material
support to individuals to achieve sustainable livelihoods. Dijdia received train-
and resilience against terrorism, by building strong institutions ing on financial planning with a grant for a business start-up that enabled her
ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
UN SECRETARY GENERAL
and effective governance and integrating efforts to address violent
extremism…with the pursuit of sustainable development, the sustaining
peace agenda and human rights.”
to start cattle fattening, a practice that has dramatically increased her income.
She also benefitted from awareness-raising about the threats and conse-
quences of violent extremism. Around 6,000 women and youth have received
similar support from GCERF programmes in Mali.
3Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
A NEW
RESPONSE
The 20th anniversary of 9/11 GCERF is the only international organisation Global apprehension
provides an opportunity dedicated to preventing violent extremism. is not matched by practical
to learn from both the commitments to action.
successes and failures
GCERF represents a new response.
of preventing violent
BUILDING
We mobilise resources from
extremism over the past 20 Awareness-raising and 1,596 interfaith, inter- security and development
years, and write a different training for 4,000 prisoners, community, and inter- budgets and from the public and
COMMUNITY
300 prison officers and 30 generational dialogues private sector. We directly channel
story, with a different paralegals on the prevention that have brought dedicated funding to local
ending 20 years from now. of violent extremism together more than 40,000 organisations to design and
It has become clear that punitive
and repressive counterterrorism
and military responses are
RESILIENCE people from different faiths
and groups
implement projects that respond
to their own realities.
With our support, they are
expensive and ineffective, often promoting social cohesion, lifting
resulting in unintended negative barriers to equal opportunities,
consequences like civilian More than 49,000 youth More than 100 advocacy Cultural and sports events Establishment of 700
building community agency, and
casualties that may become a and 15,000 community and mentorships supported, have engaged more than peace clubs, fostering
fostering a sense of purpose, to
cause for further radicalisation. religious leaders trained on some of which have resulted 240,000 youth, promoting peace and tolerance and
advance communities that are
leadership, and advocacy, in policy reform their sense of worth and teaching youth to spot
The development sector remains resilient to violent extremism and
empowering them to voice belonging by reconnecting early signs of radicalisation
agnostic to the challenge, that can achieve sustainable
their communities’ concerns them with other youth
concerned at the risk of legitimising development. We foster local
violent extremism by focusing on leadership, peer collaboration
root causes, and about the between local organisations, and
securitisation of development aid. partnership with national
governments.
The private sector has yet to More than 400 conflict Capacity building for more Training for more than Vocational and
mobilise its resources towards the resolution platforms than 7,000 governmental 18,000 youth on interpersonal entrepreneurship training, GCERF is transmitting back to the
challenge. created and revitalised, and other stakeholders, skills, life-skills and digital and support for income- international community what
allowing more than 15,000 including for law enforcement literacy generating activities works and what doesn’t, from an
The emerging multilateral response
people to solve their that have improved the expanding global evidence base.
is neither comprehensive,
coordinated, nor coherent. disputes through non- employment status of more
violent means than 19,000 people
Our multi-stakeholder Governing Board combines perspectives credible organisations preventing extremism and violence, and
from donors, partner countries, civil society, and the private sector. strengthening civil society and government institutions, to ensure
We replicate this whole-of-society approach in the countries we that we are an integral part of an ecosystem with a sum impact
support. We partner globally and locally with the UN and other greater than its constituent parts.
4Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
THE GCERF PARTNERSHIP
International INDEPENDENT
UN PVE Experts, Donor Donor
Security EVALUATION OF GCERF
Agencies Practitioners, Development
Agencies BY THE UK FOREIGN
Academia Agencies
AND COMMONWEALTH
OFFICE, 2018
GLOBAL GLOBAL
“GCERF has established
robust governance,
processes, and procedures
International Private which are in keeping
CSOs Sector with those of other well-
established trust funds.
As a legally independent
international entity, it
Local PVE operates at the ‘gold
CSM Experts, Bilateral and standard’ of international
(Country Support Practitioners, Multilateral organisation governance
Mechanism) Academia PARTNER COUNTRY Donors - a fact that gives it
GOVERNMENTS significant freedoms
and access.”
COUNTRY COUNTRY
Local CSOs, Local Private
Community / Sector
Religious Leaders
CONVERTING POLITICAL Globally, GCERF and the community-led interventions we
support, contribute to the implementation of the UN Global
Counterterrorism Strategy and the UN Plan of Action to
GCERF investment strategies and
programmes are aligned with national
COOPERATION INTO Prevent Violent Extremism, and ensure that the policy
frameworks developed by the Global Counterterrorism
strategies and action plans to prevent
violent extremism, and help implement them
at the local level, tailoring them to local
PRACTICAL ENGAGEMENT
Forum are implemented at the local level.
circumstances, facilitating coordination, and
galvanising buy-in from communities.
5Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
HOW WE WORK
THE RIGHT IN THE RIGHT
THING PLACES
We work to prevent extremism and violence GCERF channels global funds to
by investing in people. We do this by individuals and communities at direct
addressing root causes, and seeking to risk of radicalisation and recruitment to
create better alternatives for youth, in violent extremist agendas, in support of
particular, against the enticement of national efforts.
violent extremists.
1.IDENTIFY 4.CONNECT WITH
COMMUNITIES PARTNERS
Working with local partners Connecting local partners
GCERF’S
to identify the communities to national governments,
most vulnerable to violent foundations, and
extremism. businesses to further
scale initiatives.
EDGE
3.BUILD
CAPACITY
Unlocking local potential by
building organisational
capacity to ensure crucial
skills and knowledge evolve
in the early stages of
development.
AT THE IN THE 2.FIND AND FUND 5.MONITOR
RIGHT TIME RIGHT WAY ORGANISATIONS PROGRESS
GCERF focuses on prevention, working in GCERF funded-projects are community- Finding community-based Striving for long-term
countries and regions where there are led, and build the capacities of individuals organisations at the sustainability with regular
warning signs that radicalisation and and communities, ensuring that the grassroots level that are follow-ups and check-ins.
recruitment are increasing, and, where projects’ impact is sustainable, lasts capable of delivering local GCERF uses this knowledge
intervening now, can change future beyond GCERF’s support and is owned by initiatives, and then utilising to enrich a global
trajectories forever. the community. global resources to fund understanding of how to
those with potential to grow strengthen community
and scale. resilience.
6Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
ENGAGING CHANGING
LEADERS AND At the height of the Rohingya crisis, resentment against
Buddhist minorities escalated in Cox’s Bazar.
“Today, we made history,” said the Youth Commission
Bill’s sponsor, Hon. Ahmed Mohammed as the law POLICY FROM
GROUPS FROM THE BOTTOM-UP
In response, a GCERF grantee started to host interfaith was signed by the Governor of Kogi State, the first
dialogues for faith leaders and courtyard meetings of its kind in Nigeria. The Bill was the result of a long
for women, bringing together people from different advocacy process led by a coalition of young people
DIFFERENT faiths, and turning around the conversation from
resentment to oaths to stand together against violence
and promote harmony. Today,
and youth organisations.
The process started when a GCERF partner provided youth with advocacy
tools, training them how to identify key stakeholders and gatekeepers.
FAITHS AND Over the past four years, GCERF has hosted more than Once trained, the youth organised themselves and identified a strategy
we made
1,600 interfaith, intercommunity, and intergenerational to push for their goals: a multi-stakeholder Youth Development
BACKGROUNDS dialogues that bridge religious, ethnic, and generational Commission - whose mandate would be to increase socio-economic
divisions within societies. GCERF programmes have opportunities for youth, reduce anti-social behaviour, and empower
history.
also engaged more than 25,000 religious and young men and women.
traditional leaders. In Nigeria, GCERF grantees reported that 94 per cent The youth organised themselves and engaged actors whose public
of religious and traditional leaders understood the risks of radicalisation support or direct relationship with law-making were important for the
to violent extremism following these activities. In Mali, following a GCERF- passage of the Bill, coupled with public manifestations in the
funded programme, 2,099 religious or traditional leaders launched PVE communities, and a social media campaign. The Bill passed 10 months
initiatives on their own. after its conception.
GCERF believes that working with religious and traditional leaders, and The long-term effect of the Bill cannot be underestimated. Its mandate
bridging religious divides, is essential. Religious and traditional actors directly addresses several drivers of violent extremism in the region, on
are often the most credible and trustworthy voices for the community. a much larger scale and longer-term than GCERF’s initial intervention.
Engage them, you engage a community. More importantly, the Bill helps to repair the trust between youth and
YOUTH COMMISSION
the authorities, demonstrating the benefits of non-violent political
BILL’S SPONSOR
action. Its success inspired similar initiatives in other states such as
Nasarawa State, where a version of the law has passed the first
reading, and in Benue State, where the initiative has just started.
7Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
18 government donors 13 partner countries 187 local NGOs have GCERF and its partners 50 percent of GCERF GCERF has formed 2 GCERF has formed 8 In Somalia and the
plus the EU, have have requested received resources have directly engaged grant recipients are regional inter- national-level multi- Philippines, GCERF
contributed over USD GCERF’s support from GCERF to build 2 million people – women and girls governmental panels stakeholder platforms programmes have
100 million to GCERF open, inclusive, and mostly young men and in the Sahel and in that serve as one of the enhanced
from security, resilient communities in women; and are Western Balkans prime loci of collaboration between
development, and 179 localities around the supporting a further 11 strengthening regional discussions regarding national and
humanitarian budgets world million people, who now cooperation and prevention of violent sub-national
live in safer responses addressing extremism in GCERF authorities by
communities VE threat partner countries including
representatives of
autonomous regions on
GCERF
the national platform
IN FIGURES
WHERE
WE WORK
KOSOVO
NORTH
MACEDONIA
ALBANIA
KOSOVO TUNISIA KENYA SOMALIA
2017-2021 2019-2021 TUNISIA 2018-2021 2021-2023
6 grants 5 grants 9 grants (3 active) 2 grants
$3.2m committed $1m committed $5.4m committed $2m committed
17 local partners 5 local partners 22 local partners 5 local partners
Focus Focus Focus Focus
youth, students, youth, religious students, youth, youth, women,
media, community leaders, university BANGLADESH women, religious religious leaders,
leaders, municipal students, rural leaders, media teachers
authorities, women
MALI NIGER
returnees and
their families PHILIPPINES
BANGLADESH ALBANIA
2016-2022 2020-2021
8 grants (3 active) 1 grant
MALI NIGERIA $9.3m committed $0.2m committed
2016-2022 2016-2021 BURKINA 41 local partners 1 local partner
10 grants 8 grants FASO
Focus Focus
$7.1m committed $9.1m committed SOMALIA
NIGERIA students, returning foreign
42 local partners 22 local partners KENYA SRI
LANKA youth, women, terrorist fighters
Focus Focus community
religious leaders, youth, community members
youth, women leaders, women
THE PHILIPPINES NIGER
SRI LANKA BURKINA FASO
2019-2022 To start in 2021
2021-2022 To start in 2021
1 grant 8 grants
$1m committed $3.8m committed
1 local partner NORTH MACEDONIA 32 local partners
Focus To start in 2021 Focus
youth, women, students,
students, interfaith youth, religious
initiatives leaders, media
8Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
PROVIDING BETTER
ALTERNATIVES
With a new investment
of USD 120m GCERF will Expand its presence to 10 more countries Train and equip 25,000 community and Establish 1,250 youth peace clubs to Support governments to implement 20
including in the Middle East, West and religious leaders and peace ambassadors promote youth engagement and national action plans on violent
continue to invest in
Central Asia, and South East Asia, while to lead the fight against violent extremism advocacy extremism, elevating the role of civil
people, providing better ensuring a lasting impact in countries in their communities society in national policy
alternatives for 2 million where GCERF is currently present
people directly at risk
of radicalisation and
recruitment, and building Support the rehabilitation and integration Promote government commitment to Establish a network of local knowledge Enable a global movement of community
a safety net among 10 of 1,000 returning foreign terrorist fighters preventing violent extremism, by working partners that provide GCERF and the action against violent extremism
and their families with sub-national level authorities and international community with the lessons
million other people in their linking them with local organisations and evidence-based assessment of what
communities, tracking works and what doesn’t
their trajectories.
RETURN ON
DIRECT
ACTUALS 1.000.000 BENEFICIARIES
USD 80 MILLION 9%
INVESTMENT
2017-2020 INDIRECT
5.000.000
OP EX / OV ERAL L PORTFOL IO (% )
CONT RIBUT ION BENEFICIARIES
This represents a 100 percent
return on a 50 percent increase
DIRECT
in investment. Doubling the
SCENARIO 1
2.000.000 BENEFICIARIES
investment in GCERF to USD 160
million over three years will
2021-2024
USD 120 MILLION 8%
INDIRECT
generate a fourfold return on
CONT RIBUT ION 10.000.000 BENEFICIARIES
investment. Operating
expenses as a ratio of the
portfolio under management
will continue to be driven down
the more is invested. DIRECT
SCENARIO 2 4.000.000 BENEFICIARIES
2021-2024
USD 160 MILLION 7%
INDIRECT
CONT RIBUT ION 20.000.000 BENEFICIARIES
9Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
ESTABLISHING A
VIRTUOUS
Violent extremism generates a vicious cycle in
communities where it becomes embedded.
Extremist narratives identify existing cleavages within
society and deliberately deepen them, generating a
other forms of violence and criminality, including
kidnapping and human trafficking. GCERF’s
interventions have turned this vicious cycle into a
virtuous cycle, building trust between different ethnic,
CYCLE
self-fulfilling cycle of resentment and blame. tribal and religious groups that has inspired
Additionally, violent extremism can shape-shift into cooperation and collective action.
We will accelerate this virtuous cycle in
communities where we currently invest,
and kick-start it in new communities.
BROKERING RESILIENCE
PEACE BETWEEN sustaining them by resolving
AGAINST support.The networks GCERF helped
HERDERS NEW
A GCERF local partner brought
together traditional and religious subsequent disputes: “One of establish to push back against
leaders, women, and youth group them stabbed one of our brothers violent extremism, were also
AND FARMERS THREATS
leaders and formed four in the farm and that could have mobilised to safeguard
Community Action Response led to a serious fight, it is the CART communities against the
Teams (CARTs) in four that mobilised and settled the pandemic. In the Philippines, a
communities in Kogi State issue,” according to another GCERF partner used its new media
between 2016 and 2019. They were community member. platform to spread public health
“The peace pact has made it
trained on conflict analysis and Of 70 per cent of the community messaging to more than 20,000
possible for us to live like brothers COVID-19 has exacerbated many of
resolution, hazard mapping, members who know about the people. Youth change agents,
in this community” says a the drivers of violent extremism and
gender equality, and advocacy, CARTs, 93 per cent consider them nurtured by GCERF in Bangladesh
community member living in Kogi disproportionally affected the
and their mandate was to legitimate, 98 per cent effective, and Nigeria, mobilised to sensitise
State in the Northern Middle Belt in youth. Violent extremist groups
prevent and resolve conflict and 70 per cent highly effective in their communities.
Nigeria - an area that has have taken advantage of the
experienced a surge of violence arising in their communities and conflict resolution. GCERF is pandemic to ramp up their
between herders and farmers, in to make the link between the currently expanding the CART propaganda, especially online.
part as a result of limited community and local authorities. model to other communities, Aware of the risks, GCERF
availability of land for grazing and An external evaluation found that including in neighboring repurposed a proportion of its
farming impacted by climate these CARTs not only helped to Nasarawa State. grants, alleviating some of the By building resilience against violent extremism,
change. Violent extremist groups mediate peace pacts between Communities outside the immediate effects of the pandemic,
have mobilised this environmental herders and farmers but also programme are now forming and reinforcing confidence and
GCERF is also building resilience against other
conflict to boost recruitment. became a key component in CARTs independently. trust within communities we exogenous threats, including COVID-19.
10Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
PROMOTING
POSITIVE Violent extremism has an impact far beyond
the communities GCERF supports. It intensifies
conflict, widens inequalities, and is a driver for
OUTCOMES
irregular migration. Extremist narratives circulate
widely on social media.
In contrast, GCERF leverages against them. Building trust
positive outcomes. Training, between communities and
skills, loans, and local authorities and
employment not only elevating the perspective of
provide better alternatives to civil society on national
“I believe this is the right recruitment, but also to agendas, helps build more
time to reset and articulate irregular migration. Critical legitimate state institutions.
thinking and digital literacy GCERF will continue to
a coherent vision for change don’t just enable grantees to demonstrate this positive
that not only continues to filter extremist narratives, ripple effect from
but also to push back communities GCERF supports.
discourage radicalisation,
but also comes together to
strengthen the institutions of
government to ensure society
is productive, modern, and
evolving with the times.
REBUILDING THE TRUST BETWEEN
In part this means empowering
communities and civil society
YOUTH AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
to lead the way at the local
level and ensure services and “The youth are becoming friendlier to police officers and they are willing to give information on what is happening
in the community,” says Defence, 31, a constable, from Kamukunji sub-country in Kenya.
opportunities reach the most In July 2020, against the backdrop of the COVID-19
vulnerable.” pandemic, youth were feeling harassed by the police,
Repairing the relationship between the creating an atmosphere of mistrust that in some
TONY BLAIR
FORMER UK
youth and law enforcement is a priority cases, pushed youth to join criminal and violent
for the GCERF portfolio in Kenya,
which has supported 252 initiatives to
extremist organisations as a form of retaliation.
A GCERF local partner hosted ‘Kikao’ - open-air
build trust and confidence between dialogues in which youth, government officials, and
PRIME MINISTER police were represented and could talk openly.
them, including dialogues and sports
activities, and trained more than 250 Following the recommendations of the Kikao, the
local police force appointed two Station Youth Liaison
security actors on conflict resolution,
Officers, one man and one woman, both under 35,
human rights, and humanitarian law. and known for being friendly to the youth.
They helped rebuild trust between the police and
youth, which has contributed to a decrease in violent extremism, with fewer youths crossing the border to
Somalia for training. The success of the programme has also snowballed. Nearby Buruburu police station
has also assigned Station Youth Liaison Officers and a roll-out of newly created programme is now underway
nationally, starting with 11 pilot counties, including in the capital city of Nairobi.
11Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
WRITING A
TONY BLAIR
FORMER UK PRIME MINISTER
“GCERF, since its inception
DIFFERENT
in 2014, has played
an important role in
coordinating multilateral
efforts so that global funds
reach communities that
are acutely affected by the
STORY
insecurity of extremism.
That GCERF has become
an important part of the
international community’s
toolkit against terrorism is
recognition that a range
of policies is needed to
undermine the resonance
of extremist narratives, and
20 years after 9/11, we have the opportunity to reaffirm our global
that there is a collective
commitment to confront violent extremism and to further promote human
dignity, state integrity, and international order through peaceful means. responsibility to pool
together to achieve the
maximum positive impact.”
This is also the right time to reset our approaches.
The global community now acknowledges that
CHAIR OF THE MALI
the threat has not receded; and that traditional
COUNTRY SUPPORT MECHANISM
approaches are failing. We now have sufficient
evidence to assess the successes and failures of
the past. There is a renewed, cautious confidence in “GCERF’s approach is
globalisation; and after the COVID-19 pandemic a unique in providing space
renewed commitment to a more predictable future. for national governments
GCERF is at the forefront of a new, more credible to take responsibility
brand of multilateralism, linking global political for preventing violent
dialogue with local social realities; working across extremism in their
development, security and humanitarian siloes to
own countries. GCERF
focus on the priorities of people at risk themselves;
does not dictate but
resetting the traditional donor-beneficiary
relationship into a genuine partnership; mobilising convenes and facilitates
private sector resources and resourcefulness; and dialogue between national
empowering communities to take control of their governments, the private
own destinies. sector and civil society.”
12Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
There are few areas of public policy that have attracted less ambition than
violent extremism. The global community talks about countering and preventing
violent extremism, but never about ending extremism. In another 20 years, we
need to be confident that the next generation is able to maintain a world where
extremism has no place in society or politics. GCERF will empower the people
and communities most affected to lead the way.
Now is the right time to invest in people, to write a different story with a
different ending. A story that starts at the beginning, with root causes, not
at a violent end. A story where the conclusion is not pre-ordained from the
outset that young people join violent extremist groups.
A STORY ABOUT
WORKING TOGETHER
TO SECURE A
BETTER FUTURE.
EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEAD THE
WORLD TO A FUTURE WITHOUT EXTREMISM MIRA
In Lanao del Sur, GCERF supported a series Mira is aware of the challenges ahead, This project inspires us youth to participate
of initiatives promoting active citizenry but she is confident that, with the right
and personal leadership, enhancing knowledge and skills, she can play a part in building peace and the development of
understanding of Bangsamoro identity in bringing peace to her community. our communities.
and addressing historical grievances and “Violent extremism, if not addressed today,
discrimination which have been drivers will only grow and corrupt the peaceful
WITH A
of radicalisation. freedom of everyone. This project serves
Mira* is one of the beneficiaries of this as a platform for me to find my value and
programme. The 16-year-old girl lives in identity as a Moro youth and my sense of
Madalum, a municipality deeply affected purpose to my family and community,”
by violence, especially during the 2017 she said.
military operations against ISIS-affiliated
groups. Like many of her peers, Mira’s
DIFFERENT
dreams for her future became overshad-
owed by visions of poverty, malnutrition,
abandoned houses, and unfinished roads.
Participating gave her new optimism. She
connected with other young people facing
similar issues but also determined to help
their communities.
ENDING
“This project inspires us youth to partici-
pate in building peace and the develop-
ment of our communities. It helps us
understand the value of a peaceful envi-
ronment, its impact and benefits, thus the
need to reduce the presence of violent
extremism,” she said.
* not her real name
13Case for Investment A Different Story Can be Written
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