The project is addressing the process of radicalization, leading to violent extremism in the online sphere. With the spread of global pandemics, many aspects of life have transferred to the online area. So did the attempts to radicalize young people towards violent extremism. Online radicalization is not a novelty, but it gained momentum amid the COVID-19 crisis. 

The phenomenon is undoubtedly not a new one, and several stakeholders are working on this and related issues. Our ambition is to provide a platform for more comprehensive cooperation on the intersection of addressing radicalization in the online sphere and youth, and we try to look for synergies rather than overlaps.

The project, therefore, aims to strengthen the resilience of young people – future leaders from vulnerable communities – against radicalization and extremism by their mobilization and activation directly in their communities. The resilience of young people will be strengthened via developing their critical thinking and online disinformation awareness. The impact of the project will consist of the creation of a network of active young people, who will work as multipliers of the project’s ideas and goals in their respective communities thus supporting the official policies addressing radicalization and violent extremism in particular project countries. 

The main project’s objective will be achieved through activation and strengthening of capacities of identified young leaders who are interested in becoming visible actors against radicalization in their communities. Young leaders will get familiar with how online radicalization functions, its psychology, how to „arm“ themselves with counter-narratives against extremist rhetoric/propaganda, they will be taught where to get further help and how to help themselves, their friends who may be in the immediate danger of radicalization. Trainings’ curricula will also focus on the development of critical thinking, disinformation in online sphere awareness, and strategic communication. 

With the support of:

This project is lead by:

This project is implemented in partnership with:

First Online Workshop

Between 26-27 February, 2021 the Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with partners AIE Serve and Strategic Analysis organized the First Online Workshop for active young leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Slovakia. 

 Topics covered by the interactive workshop were the following:

• Radicalization and Violent Extremism: Discussing Radicalization Based on Practical Experience, Lukás Zorád, PDCS Slovakia
• Bread Crumbs, Rabbit Holes and Where They Can Take Us, Tijana Cvetićanin, Istinomjer and U. G. Zašto Ne, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Multiculturalism and Radicalization, Jean-Paul Chami, AIE Serve, Lebanon
• Be Part of the Solution, Milica Pralica, Oštra Nula, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Narratives and Counter-Narratives of Extremist Propaganda in the Online Sphere, Samet Shabani, Horizon Civitas, North Macedonia

Second Online Workshop

Between March 12-13, 2021 the Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with partners AIE Serve and Strategic Analysis organized the Second Online Workshop for active young leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Slovakia. 

 Topics covered by the interactive workshop were the following:

• Critical Thinking, Critical Perceptions and Deeper Understanding of Communications, Katarina Klingova, GLOBSEC Policy Institute
• The Giraffe in US, Ali Mahmoud, AIE Serve
• Soft Skills, Mariya Georgieva and Gergely Lovasz, LEAF Academy
• Stereotypes and Prejudice: Origins and Functions, Sabina Cehajic-Clansy
• Hate Speech Against Women with a Discussion of Sexist Hate Speech, Zlatiborka Popov-Momcinovic

Advanced Online Workshop

Between May 17-19, 2021 the Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with partners AIE Serve and Strategic Analysis organized the Advanced Online Workshop for active young leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Slovakia. 

 Topics covered by the interactive workshop were the following:

• Social Activism- Fight for the Rights for the Invisible, Anja Jusic, The Forgotten Children of War
• Community Mobilization and Engagement, Afif Tabsh, AIE Serve
• Argumentation and Debating, Ivana Kesic, Education Program Manager
• Preventing Youth Radicalization in the Western Balkans- Research Review, Jan Cingel, Strategic Analysis
• Challenges of De-Radicalization and Engagement in the Community, Svetlana Stanarevic, University of Belgrade

In addition to the lectures, participants presented their project ideas.

Study Visit in Vienna

Between September 12-14, 2021 the Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with Strategic Analysis organized the study visit for the participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovakia in Vienna, Austria.

Participants had a chance to learn from the following organizations:

• Representatives of the KAICIID Dialogue Centre
• Stephanie Fenkart, Director of the International Institute for Peace
• Pete Hammerle, Co-Executive Director of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation Austria
• Prof. Dr. Regina Polak, Associate Professor of the University of Vienna and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions

Survey results: Mitigating Online Radicalization and Hate-Speech

Key for preventing online radicalization that leads to violent extremism is to learn its roots and causes. The goal of the online qualitative survey is to map how young people perceive the problem of online radicalisation and hate speech in their respective project countries and its current extent. The data included in this report is measuring the attitudes and knowledge of the young people in the three project countries- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon and Slovakia.

Within this study, the authors assess the perceptions and attitudes of threats, hate speech, radicalization and extremism by the youth with special attention to high-school students. This study aims to contribute to the research on online radicalization of youth and their perception of online
hate-speech that is present on the internet and social media. At first, we looked at the content they access on the internet and how often they come across questionable or problematic posts. Then, we asked regarding their perception of the society, their values, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs.

The online qualitative survey was conducted between March 2021 and April 2021 via Google Forms, targeting the youth between the ages of 15-35. The survey was distributed in local languages by the project participants, project partners, as well as by high schools and universities. Altogether 292 responses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 695 responses from Lebanon, and 846 responses from Slovakia were collected to the survey, adding up the overall number of N=1.833

The Survey results is divided into seven sections, focusing on the problematic content respondents come across while being online, perceptions of the society, internet access and use, safety and threat perception, democratic processes and participation, beliefs regarding radicals, terrorism and violence, and attitudes of the youth.

The full document of the Survey results is available:

in English HERE: EN Survey Results Mitigating Online Radicalization and Hate Speech

in Bosnian HERE:  BS Survey Results Mitigating Online Radicalization and Hate Speech Study Final Slovak

The authors of the study based on the findings recommend the following:
– Strengthen social media monitoring efforts by the police to filter out bullying online, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lebanon where this phenomenon is the most visible from the project countries.
– Strengthen awareness of trolling.
– Increase critical thinking by training: Train the youth how to interpret the content, avoid disinformation threats, further stress the need for verification of information.
– Train the young people about internet security and what not to share online (once it’s online, it stays online). Educate young people about the threats of grooming with that connected outing or blackmailing.
– Increase economic and financial education among the youth to diminish the appeal of non-state actors offering an alternative to capitalism
– NGOs and CSOs in Slovakia have to more than double their effort working with the young
generation