CONNEKT Project: An overview of previous research and approaches to radicalization in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been published

The new report points to the need for a stronger empirically based approach, in order to adopt violent extremism prevention strategies based on research

The report was written by University of Sarajevo professors and associates, within the international research project CONNEKT (Contexts of Violent Extremism in MENA and Balkan Societies)

The recently published publication of the CONNEKT research project, which is part of the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program, describes the approaches and strategies of various institutions and organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina towards the problem of radicalization and violent extremism.

The report provides an overview of these phenomena in Bosnia and Herzegovina, an overview of previous research by the scientific and academic community on the drivers of radicalization, and identifies actors and initiatives that use strategies to combat violent extremism (C/PVE) in our country.
 

When it comes to research on radicalization, the authors believe that “analysis of different contexts and drivers of radicalization is not fully developed”, and that more empirical research on this issue would contribute to better developed strategies to combat violent extremism. Furthermore, the report points to the need to monitor existing C/PVE programs, which are specific for the significant role of foreign donors and international organizations.

The report authors are Prof. Dr. Damir Kapidžić, Senior Asst. Anida Dudić, Senior Asst. Veldin Kadić and Prof. Dr. Sead Turčalo, Faculty of Political Science, University of Sarajevo.

CONNEKT project report

The report was published along with 7 other reports from other countries participating in the project: Bulgaria, Egypt, Jordan, Kosovo, Morocco, Northern Macedonia and Tunisia.

CONNEKT is a research project that analyzes 7 potential drivers of radicalization among young people aged between 12 and 30, in eight countries of the MENA region and the Balkans. The project is of scientific, professional and empirical nature and covers the fields of political science, security studies, pedagogy, sociology and social work. The aim of the project is to present a multilevel and multidisciplinary map of the initiators of violent extremism.

Led by the European Institute for the Mediterranean (IEMed), based in Barcelona, the project brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of 14 partners from the MENA region and the Balkans. The project partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the University of Sarajevo.

CONNEKT was started in 2020, and is supported through the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program of the European Union, according to the Grant Agreement no. 870772.