Hedayah International Centre Implements Strategic Initiatives To Combat Extremism In Turkmenistan And Albania

Hedayah, the International Centre of Excellence For Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, is advancing two key initiatives in Turkmenistan and Albania. These efforts aim to bolster local institutions and stakeholders in fostering community resilience against extremism. This aligns with Hedayah's global mission to prevent and combat extremism.

In Turkmenistan, Hedayah is implementing a training programme focused on multi-agency approaches. The goal is to enhance the knowledge and operational capacities of civil society organisations, government officials, and local entities. The training highlights the importance of cooperation among national stakeholders in tackling extremism threats.

This initiative in Turkmenistan builds on Hedayah’s established presence in Central Asia. It is supported by the STRIVE Global Programme, funded by the European Union, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and financially backed by the Government of Japan.

Ahmed Al Qasimi, Executive Director of Hedayah, stated: "Our work in Turkmenistan reflects the importance of boosting operational capacities and equipping local actors with the tools and knowledge necessary to collaborate effectively in preventing extremism within their local contexts. True resilience is built through cooperation, trust, and long-term investment in partnerships."

Meanwhile, Hedayah is conducting follow-up mentoring sessions for religious and community leaders in Albania. These sessions provide practical tools to create impactful alternative narratives to combat extremism and disinformation.

The current workshop builds on last year’s success in messaging and content creation training. It uses a "learning-by-doing" approach that integrates monitoring, evaluation, and assessment mechanisms to ensure local ownership and sustainability.

Collaborative Efforts

This programme is implemented alongside the Albanian Coordination Centre for Countering Violent Extremism and the Interreligious Council of Albania (IRCA). It receives support from the STRIVE Global Programme funded by the European Union and implemented by Hedayah.

Anna Sherburn, Deputy Executive Director of Hedayah, commented: "In Albania, we see how ongoing training and mentoring—backed by trusted local partnerships—can shift the narrative and support genuine community-led responses to extremism."

These initiatives underscore Hedayah's commitment to empowering communities through strategic partnerships. By enhancing local capacities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, they aim to build resilience against extremism effectively.

With inputs from WAM