North Macedonia

Where We Work

North Macedonia

Context

Returnees from conflicts abroad also known as Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (RFTFs) are the predominant manifestation of violent extremism in the Western Balkans. Countries in the Western Balkans have had some of the highest number of returnees per capita in the world. Individuals who travelled, and in some cases fought in Syria and Iraq had various motives, usually a mix of personal drivers and justifying ideological objectives. Lack of employment, poverty, and low levels of education further contribute to vulnerability to violent extremism in the Western Balkans.

In North Macedonia four men, five women and 14 children were returned. Following the initial investigation, four men were charged with crimes and detained. The women and children have started their rehabilitation and reintegration process coordinated by the National Committee for Countering Violent Extremism and Countering Terrorism.

Our grant portfolio aims to provide reintegration, rehabilitation, and resocialisation (RRR) support to returnees and their families, while working to strengthen the capacity of frontline workers and nurture an enabling environment for RRR throughout the country.

Pathways to Change

The programmes in North Macedonia aim to:

Build capacity and coordination among state and non-state actors in the reintegration, rehabilitation and resocialisation (RRR) process and P/CVE.
Support returnees and vulnerable families in the receiving community in the reintegration and resocialization process.
Raise awareness on P/CVE and RRR and reduce stigmatisation of RFTFs and their families.

This will be achieved through activities including to:

Provide psychosocial support for returnees, their families, and vulnerable families in the receiving communities.
Develop reintegration plans for RFTFs and their families.
Organise trainings for national and local institutions, community leaders, teachers, NGOs, media actors, social workers, and psychologists.
Review existing research and policy and legal frameworks on P/CVE and RRR.
Develop guidelines and standard operating procedures on P/CVE and RRR.
Organise community events to raise awareness on P/CVE and RRR.
Broadcast and monitor media content on P/CVE and RRR.
Organise workshops and events for parents and students on social cohesion and critical thinking.
Organise multi-ethnic student camps and youth debates on reconciliation.
Organise trust building dialogues between institutions and communities.