Purpose

Over recent years, the process of radicalisation leading to violent extremism has reached critical dimensions. Inspirational ideologies for extremist groups in Europe and throughout the world are continually expanding, now including religiously motivated extremism and various forms of ideological incitement to violence (left-wing, anarchist, far-right, nationalist and separatist ideologies). The result of these processes and developments is that terrorist and extremist actions are becoming more and more difficult to detect and foresee by law enforcement authorities, thus rendering traditional practices of prevention and repression eventually unable to address these emerging threats. These vulnerabilities make it clear that there is a need to address the root causes of the problem through an effective approach, aimed at the timely identification, prevention and intervention of a wide range of agents and society itself. In the age of “asymmetric threats” and risks, our adaptation to a modern policing philosophy based on early recognition and prevention, is an answer to everyday causes of insecurity and to all sources of threats for citizens. To address these challenges, the EU assigns an important role to front-line practitioners and especially Law Enforcement Institutions, by designing and financing actions for education, raising awareness, networking and, in general, empowerment of Law Enforcement Officials.

In this context, the Center for Security Studies (KEMEA), as scientific and research organization, in its effort to study and countering the phenomenon of radicalisation leading to violent extremism and terrorism, undertook the implementation of the Action entitled: “Enhancement of Law Enforcement Agencies to identify and counter radicalisation and extremism”. The project is part of the Internal Security Fund / Police (2014-2020) and is co-funded 75% from EU funds and 25% from national resources, starting on 1-7-2018 and ending on 15-9-2020.