28 October 2024, Islamabad – As part of the EU (European Union)-funded Countering and Preventing Terrorism in Pakistan (CPTP) project, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched a series of orientation workshops, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders including community organisations, academia and government bodies. With more than 30 grants awarded to organizations including civil society and academic institutions, the initiative aims to work closely with Pakistan’s National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) to carry out a range of community-led activities aimed at promoting peace, tolerance and social cohesion. throughout the country.

As Pakistan faces the challenges of violent extremism, it is important to proactively prevent them by promoting broad-based community resilience and inclusive engagement as core strategies in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). The government has embarked on a transformative journey based on a comprehensive strategy that combines national resilience and global partnerships. Central to this approach is collaboration with international bodies such as UNODC and the European Union, ensuring that collective expertise and resources are mobilized to safeguard the future. At the heart of this strategy is a deep belief in community involvement. The strength of any society comes from its unity, and these efforts are geared towards empowering communities to stand together against extremism.

Through integrated networks and strategic alliances, this project inspires hope, creates platforms for dialogue and fosters understanding and harmony across the country. Civil society organizations (CSOs) play a critical role in this effort, bringing their grassroots knowledge and agility to the fore. Recognizing their importance, CPTP strengthens these partnerships, encouraging CSOs to take the lead in designing innovative, localized solutions that address the complex drivers of violent extremism.

During a three-day capacity-building workshop, partners were introduced to the operational aspects of grants, including financial management, monitoring and evaluation processes, and communication strategies. These grants support micro-projects, each lasting 6-10 months, awarded following a rigorous selection process. The main objectives of these grants are threefold: a) To promote innovative community-based approaches to preventing violent extremism and promoting peace; b) Improving the capacity of civil society organizations to address the root causes of radicalization; c) To promote social cohesion, inclusion and resilience within communities exposed to the risk of extremism.