LocationsThe power of diverse voices
UNDP is committed to building more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies where violent extremism has no foothold.
Photo: UNDP Somalia
Conflict is rising worldwide. 2024 saw a 25 percent increase in violence from the previous year, affecting at least two billion people. Some regions face even greater instability, as violent extremism worsens humanitarian crises and threatens global peace, security and development.
Preventing violent extremism (PVE) starts by addressing its root causes—poverty, exclusion, and lack of opportunity. The International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, serves as a reminder to highlight the power of inclusion and collaboration in building a safer world.
Extremism thrives where people feel excluded, unheard or hopeless. UNDP partners with women, youth, local authorities, and religious leaders to expand economic opportunities, strengthen communities, promote peaceful dialogue, create safe digital spaces, and counter hate speech.
Here’s how diverse voices are shaping real change.
Women as catalysts for peace
Inclusion of women is the first step in any effort in prevention. As leaders, teachers, and peacebuilders, women play a key role in uniting communities and building resilience against extremism.
An innovative experiment by UNDP Uzbekistan on the “Use of Behavioural Science in Addressing Harmful Gender Stereotypes” showed that female role models, religious leaders, and community leaders can play a crucial role in shifting attitudes towards women, including their right to work and participate in politics.
An innovative experiment by UNDP Uzbekistan showed that female role models, religious leaders, and community leaders can play a crucial role in shifting attitudes towards women, including their right to work and participate in politics.
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan
In Morocco, UNDP and the Mohammed VI Foundation support women returnees or families of returnees and detainees convicted under anti-terrorism laws. Social workers worked with women and their families as they reintegrated in the society. The programme helped women like Bahija to learn sewing or other skills so they can be economically independent and rebuild their lives.
Young people as the engine of change
Youth are key drivers of change. UNDP empowers them by promoting participation in policymaking and equipping them with skills and training to access job opportunities. It also fosters a safe environment for businesses to thrive.
UNDP promotes participation in policymaking and equips young people with skills and training to find work. It also fosters a safe environment for businesses to thrive.
Under the “Promoting Resilient Communities to PVE in Central Asia” project, UNDP Turkmenistan is running an online course to enhance resilience against violent extremism and create job opportunities.
UNDP Kazakhstan has launched a paid internship programme for socially vulnerable youth in Kyzylorda and Mangystau regions, helping 240 young people to find work.
UNDP Kazakhstan has launched a paid internship programme for socially vulnerable youth in Kyzylorda and Mangystau regions, helping 240 young people to find work.
Photo: UNDP Kazakhstan
Local authorities build resilient communities
Preventing violent extremism needs strong collaboration between local governments and communities. UNDP helps local authorities develop plans based on risk assessments and community needs. It also supports dialogue between communities to build trust and resilience. This ensures efforts are locally driven, effective, and sustainable.
In Iraq, in partnership with the Office of the National Security Advisor (ONSA), UNDP helped develop and implement ‘Plans of Action’ in 15 governorates. UNDP helped ONSA set up sub-committees and trained 42 local NGOs to ensure initiatives follow a human rights-based approach. Over 650 initiatives have been implemented.
Through the regional project "Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor", UNDP strengthened community-level resilience in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo through activities aimed at enhancing the socio-economic resilience of more than 1,500 youth and women. UNDP has also supported 38 early warning and early response mechanisms to address the root causes of violent extremism.
The "Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism in the Atlantic Corridor" project strengthens community resilience in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo.
Photo: UNDP Ghana
Women in Burkina Faso participate in the Atlantic Corridor project.
Photo: UNDP Burkina Faso
Religious leaders promote interfaith dialogue
Religious leaders play a vital role in fostering interfaith understanding and promoting peaceful coexistence. UNDP supports initiatives that empower religious leaders to become agents of peace.
In Iraq, UNDP supported a first gathering of women faith-based peacebuilders to discuss the challenges and opportunities for enhancing their role in promoting inter-faith understanding and social cohesion. Twenty-four women from over seven faith backgrounds gathered to develop recommendations for action to enhance dialogue and social cohesion that will be further developed through UNDP programming in 2025.
In Somalia, UNDP has supported the network of religious scholars in 16 districts because of their important role in peacebuilding efforts and mediating local conflicts. The religious scholars promote the peaceful message of Islam, leveraging their trust and credibility within their communities. They utilize trust and consensus building and inclusive dialogue across political divides and conflicting parties.
Through its "Pact for the Future," UNDP is committed to building more peaceful, just, and inclusive societies where violent extremism has no foothold.
Join UNDP in the fight against violent extremism. Visit our website to learn more about our PVE initiatives and explore ways to get involved or write to us at pve.communications@undp.org
UNDP partners with women, youth, local authorities, and religious leaders to expand economic opportunities, strengthen communities, promote peaceful dialogue, create safe digital spaces, and counter hate speech.
Photo: UNDP Iraq
