Preventing extremism in West and Central Africa

This study of 133 projects shows how policy is being translated into practice and the need for evidence-based interventions.

Efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism have emerged rapidly onto the global stage and attracted substantial financial investment. This study investigated selected projects to understand their objectives, target groups, activities, theories of change, evaluation approaches, challenges, lessons learned, and funding sources. Its broad intention is to add to the growing body of information about this field, how policy is being translated into practice and to support evidence- based approaches to addressing terrorism and violent extremism.

About the authors

Isel van Zyl is a junior researcher in the Transnational Threats and International Crime Programme at the ISS.

Cheryl Frank is the head of the Transnational Threats and International Crime Programme at the ISS.