From 16-18 September 2026, youth, municipal representatives and local partners from Albania and North Macedonia gathered in Struga, North Macedonia to develop practical initiatives for preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT) in the digital space.
The workshop, "Partnering with Youth Leaders to Prevent Online Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Albania and North Macedonia", created a space for participants to exchange experiences, discuss the risks posed by harmful online content and develop ideas for strengthening resilience to violence in their communities.
Organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) under Project CLEAR, the event was held in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Municipality of Struga. The municipalities of Ohrid, North Macedonia, and Pogradec, Albania, also supported the initiative.
Participants examined how young people can identify and respond to harmful narratives online, promote critical thinking and media and information literacy, and encourage positive engagement in digital spaces. The discussions also highlighted the value of sustained co-operation between youth, local authorities, educators and civil society organizations. It also emphasized the importance of ensuring that youth are active contributors to P/CVERLT efforts, rather than only recipients of prevention programmes.
"A safer online environment cannot be achieved through technology alone. It depends on critical thinking, media and information literacy, digital citizenship and the ability to recognize manipulation and harmful narratives," said Violanda Botet, Head of Action against Terrorism Unit."
It also depends on upholding fundamental freedoms and ensuring that measures to prevent violent extremism remain proportionate, inclusive and consistent with human rights obligations."
The workshop supported cross-border dialogue and encouraged participants to translate their ideas into locally tailored initiatives. The event concluded with participants presenting their initiatives to municipal representatives.
The event forms part of TNTD/ATU's wider work to support participating States in preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. The workshop was delivered under Project CLEAR , which promotes critical thinking, media and information literacy, ethical AI awareness and community resilience. Project CLEAR is funded by Germany, Finland, Norway and the United States.
