Lurdes Vidal i Bertran, CONNEKT scientific coordinator and director of the Arab Mediterranean World Department at the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed · Barcelona), offers a comprehensive presentation of the theorical basis and innovative approach of the CONNEKT project in the just released IEMed Mediterranean Yearbook 2020.

The goals of the project are underlined in the article: ” This project, therefore, takes a step forward, identifying measures, strategies and actions related to collective dynamics and from a social and policy-making perspective that can promote the transformation of contexts, making them resilient rather than conducive to radicalization and violent extremism (Wimelius et al., 2018). The cross-regional approach comparing the MENA region and the Balkans will provide valuable information for all stakeholders – in the EU, the targeted regions and beyond – in order to better understand and prevent the threat of radicalization and violent extremism in the long term. During these three and a half years, CONNEKT will undertake different stages of empirical research to complement, enrich and advance our knowledge on drivers and engage in bottom-up approaches to prevention that place youth narratives at the forefront”.

Read Mapping the Drivers of Radicalization and Violent Extremism in MENA and the Balkans