Donors pledge USD 66 million to prevent terrorism

Expanded funding will allow the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) to expand global projects

New York, USA, 20 September 2022 – At an international conference in New York City, 18 countries announced commitments of US$66 million for 2022 through 2024, to prevent violent extremism through peaceful means. The funding, which will be channeled through GCERF, an international funding institution based in Switzerland, is a 24 percent increase over the past three-year period. It is the first time that GCERF calls on donors to make multi-year commitments, to expand its activities and ensure greater predictability to its project support.

GCERF finances projects through local organizations in countries affected by terrorism. The work focuses on communities and in particular young people who are most vulnerable to radicalization by terrorist groups. Currently, GCERF finances activities in 15 countries around the world.

“We see GCERF as a major ally to protect our youth and communities from terrorists who seek to indoctrinate them. By giving communities a sense of hope, tolerance and the prospect of peace, the projects that GCERF supports are making a tangible difference,” said President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, a co-host of the Replenishment Conference.

“If we want to prevent people from going down negative paths, we need to open up positive ones, whether by expanding economic opportunity, building more cohesive communities, or fostering social support such as youth groups,“ said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. “The United States has been GCERF’s biggest donor since its inception. I hope that others will join us, because we’ve seen what a difference providing these opportunities can make. “

Pledges were made by 15 traditional donor countries, and for the first time, contributions were also made by 3 States where GCERF-supported projects are underway.

“As a member of the UN Security Council from 2023, Switzerland will also prioritize peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Preventing violent extremism is central to this” said the President of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis. “Switzerland is actively engaged in efforts to prevent violent extremism with many partners in Africa.”

GCERF was founded eight years ago as an international financing institution hosted by Switzerland.  in five years, GCERF-financed projects have reached more than 2.8 million people in some of the most challenging environments in the world by funding 229 local partners. More than 85% of the communities we work in are not reached by any other international funding.

“The projects that GCERF supports have benefitted many people around the world; they occupy a unique place in the fight against violent extremism by directly supporting organisations in local communities, helping local people take control of their own affairs,” said Right Honourable Tony Blair.  “By dealing with the underlying causes of violent extremism they work to resolve the grievances that the terrorists exploit, and therefore create the circumstances in which there is a more peaceful environment for people to solve their grievances in a constructive way, and where economic and social development can happen.”

“The diversity of the countries that stepped up to support GCERF today proves that GCERF has been able to build up trust and confidence in our work, and to promote prevention of violent extremism as a genuine global partnership,” said Stefano Manservisi, the Chair of the GCERF Board. “This solid support we have seen manifested through these pledges today makes me hopeful that GCERF will reach its target of raising US$120 million by 2024.”

For further information about GCERF, its programmes and donor contributions see: www.gcerf.org

Media contact : media@gcerf.org