Commission programme for the prevention of and response to violent radicalisation

More funding for the prevention of violent radicalisation is possible under the new Call for Proposals under the Prevention of and fight against Crime

Background to the European Commission's policy for prevention of and response to violent radicalisation

Identifying and addressing the factors contributing to violent radicalisation is a very important priority of the Commission's counter-terrorism policy. The most important documents adopted by EU Institutions¹ have all referred to the need to identify and address the factors and causes that contribute to people taking the path of violence and terror. In its Communication on Terrorist recruitment: addressing the factors contributing to violent Radicalisation², the Commission identified various existing EU policies that could play an important role in addressing the problem. That policy document was merely an initial contribution to the development of an EU Strategy³ and Action Plan on combating radicalisation and recruitment which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in December 2005 whose implementation is now underway. Both the Commission's Communication and the EU Strategy recognise that terrorism underlined by an abusive interpretation of Islam presents the biggest threat at the present moment. It therefore constitutes the main object of the present Call for Proposals.

The EU Strategy states that, to ensure its delivery, "Member States will work, individually and together, with the support of the European Commission and other European Union bodies". It also recognises the Commission's potential for support to the Member States through the "channelling [of] its policies effectively".

Aim of the Call for Proposals

The Commission aims to support projects involving municipalities, local authorities, non-governmental organisations and research institutes aimed at the prevention of and response to violent radicalisation. It also responds to the EU Strategy on combating radicalisation and recruitment, which establishes that "addressing the challenge is beyond the power of governments alone". The Strategy emphasises the need for disrupting activities of terrorist networks and individuals who draw people into terrorism, empowering mainstream voices and promoting more vigorously security, justice, democracy and opportunity for all. It also emphasises the need for the EU to develop its collective understanding of the issues surrounding violent radicalisation, while mindful of the specificities in the different Member States.

2007 Call for Proposals

General objective

In order to continue building upon work in the field, a Commission Financing Decision was adopted on 26 th October 2006 for a second Pilot Project whose general objective is to support the prevention, preparedness, pursuit and response of the European Union to terrorism, in implementation of the European Union's Strategy on combating terrorism, the EU Strategy on combating radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism, as well as related Action Plans as regularly updated by the Commission and the Council.

Specific themes for projects

The 2007 Call for Proposals foresaw seven themes under which specific projects coul be financed:

1. competence building for professionals, spokespersons, spiritual/political leaders and youth organisations
2. enhancing knowledge, particularly among youth on variations and interpretations regarding Islam and identity, and at raising awareness on the nature of violent radicalisation;
3. devising/promoting effective channels for addressing (perceived or real) grievances as well as alternative routes for people who show sympathy or demonstrate support for terrorism;
4. improving engagement with spiritual/political leaders;
5. facilitating cross-cultural dialogue between media professionals;
6. empowering voices that counter terrorist rhetoric;
7. monitoring recruitment and grooming of terrorists over the internet.

EU contribution to the costs

The EU contribution to the cost of the activities concerned was be limited to 85% of all eligible costs. The total budget planned for grants in the 2007 Call for Proposals of the European Programme for Prevention and Response to Violent Radicalisation was € 750.000.

The Call for proposals on Violent Radicalisation was published in January 2007 (O.J. C 021 of 30.01.2007) with deadline for submission of proposals on 16 April 2007.

Who can benefit from funding under the Call for Proposals

Proposals for projects could be submitted by, and grants could be awarded to, all legal persons established in one of the Member States:

• national, regional and local authorities of the EU Member States
• non-governmental organisations
• public or private bodies (including university departments, research institutes, think-thanks, media bodies and international organisations).

Natural persons were not eligible. Participants from applicant countries and non-EU countries could be involved if the project justified it. However, they were not permitted to submit projects.

 

1 For instance, the European Council Declaration on Combating Terrorism of 25th March 2005 and the Council Declaration on the EU Response to the London Bombings of the 13th July 2005 following, respectively the Madrid and London attacks; the Plan of Action on Combating Terrorism adopted in June 2004 and revised every six months, the Commission’s Communication on prevention, preparedness and response to terrorist attacks COM (2004) 698 adopted on 20th October 2004 and The Hague Programme adopted by the European Council in November 2004.
2 COM (2005) 313 final adopted on 21st September 2005
3 The European Union Strategy for combating radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism