EU Knowledge Hub Update | March 2026 - Migration and Home Affairs

Welcome to the 15th edition of the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation newsletter!

In an era of rapid technological change and shifting societal dynamics, our mission to bridge policy and practice has never been more vital. This month, we open with a powerful reflection on Memory and Responsibility. We look back at the 22nd European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism in Brussels, where survivors and institutions reaffirmed that active remembrance is a civic duty and a cornerstone of long-term recovery. We also delve into the new EU Counter-Terrorism Agenda, a strategic framework designed to anticipate modern threats, from the protection of minors to the complexities of ideological hybridity and generative AI.

In this issue, we explore new analytical tools and field experiences. Our Expert Portrait features Dr Carl Lucian Reinfandt, who introduces the concept of "Islamist Populism" to examine how religious language is manipulated to fuel "us vs them" polarisations. From Slovakia, we share insights on the SOS Model for early identification in schools, while our Young Mentees section highlights the shift toward treating youth as active partners in community resilience. You will also find expert reflections on the "rejuvenation" of extremist profiles in Spain and a critical look at why social media bans for minors may inadvertently displace risks to unmoderated digital spaces.

Finally, we invite you to explore our latest tools and resources. The SHIELDed project advances local resilience efforts to protect schools and places of worship, while the SMIDGE project continues to break new ground in addressing extremism among adults aged 45–65 — a demographic too often overlooked in prevention frameworks. Rounding out this edition, our newly released Conclusion Papers from Thematic Panels 2, 3, and 5 distil the latest practitioner-led evidence into actionable insights for professionals across the field.

Thank you for being an active part of our community dedicated to preventing radicalisation and building safer, more resilient societies across Europe!

Highlights of the Hub's Latest Activities

Memory and responsibility: 22nd European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism

The European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism is held annually on 11 March, the date of the 2004 Madrid train bombings. The EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation co-organises the event as part of its broader mandate to support European efforts in preventing violent extremism.

A Counter-Terrorism Agenda

The new EU Counter-Terrorism Agenda, presented on 1 March, strengthens collective resilience through four pillars: anticipate, prevent, protect, and respond. By bridging policy and practice, it addresses modern threats like online radicalisation and ideological hybridity while prioritising a victim-centred approach and the protection of minors.

Shaping the future: information sharing and cross-sectoral cooperation in Slovakia

A Tailor-Made Support Service in Bratislava brought together national experts to examine emerging risks related to right-wing extremism, hybrid ideologies, and youth vulnerabilities. The newly released Summary of Conclusions highlights key recommendations for layered prevention strategies, early identification, and stronger cross-sector cooperation to prevent youth radicalisation in Slovakia.

March in Review: Key EU Knowledge Hub Discussions

March was a particularly active month for the EU Knowledge Hub, with a series of expert meetings tackling some of the most pressing and evolving challenges in prevention and counter-terrorism. From online nihilistic extremism to crisis communication and youth resilience, the discussions generated valuable insights for future action.

Expert Portrait

Meet Dr. Carl Lucian Reinfandt: populism as a lens for the future of prevention

Dr Carl Lucian Reinfandt (Austrian Fund for the Documentation of Religiously Motivated Political Extremism - Documentation Centre Political Islam) explores the emerging phenomenon of Islamist populism in Europe. He discusses how religious narratives are manipulated to fuel societal polarisation and undermine democratic resilience. Reinfandt advocates for a common European strategy to pool knowledge and protect pluralistic values.

News from the EU: Expert Voices

Non-State Armed Actors and their implications for global and regional security

Non-State Armed Actors (NSAAs) are transforming contemporary security. From militias to ideologically driven groups, they exploit governance gaps to challenge state authority. Discover why military responses alone are insufficient and how policy must evolve to address the root causes of this complex, multi-actor landscape.

Beyond Bans: Educate, Regulate, Connect!

While some governments are moving toward restricting social media for minors, outright bans often displace radicalisation risks to unmoderated digital spaces. Instead, the EU needs a balanced approach focusing on education for critical thinking, stronger tech regulation, and meaningful connection to ensure young people are heard.

Extremism in the Age of Youth and the Internet: Spain Reveals the Emerging Profile of a New Generation of Terrorist Threats

Security data reveals a significant transformation in violent extremism, with threats increasingly linked to young individuals influenced by digital propaganda. In 2025, Spain recorded a record 100 arrests, with nearly 50% under the age of 25. This "rejuvenation" of the extremist landscape is largely driven by recruitment within social media and online gaming spaces.

Young Mentees Perspective

A New Approach to PCVE: Empowering Youth to Prevent Radicalisation

Young people are no longer just recipients of prevention programmes; they are at the heart of building community resilience. Explore how a multidimensional approach, combining digital literacy, inclusive education, and transparent governance, is transforming PCVE strategies to tackle the root causes of marginalisation and build inclusive societies.

Projects in the Field

Building local resilience to religious and cultural hate: A new and local approach – The SHIELDed project

Facing rising polarisation and disinformation, the SHIELDed project strengthens community resilience to protect soft targets like schools and places of worship. By mobilising youth, law enforcement, and faith groups, this multi-stakeholder initiative fosters sustainable safety through dialogue, cooperation, and collective remembrance across European communities.

Resources

The December 2025 edition of Hub Insights is now available in German and French

The December 2025 edition of Hub Insights, dedicated to the first year of progress of the Thematic Panels, is now available in German and French. This issue brings together expert insights on radicalisation prevention, addressing key areas such as the role of new technologies and approaches to prison rehabilitation.

Read the magazine

Have you been following the progress of the SMIDGE project?

First introduced in our sixth newsletter, SMIDGE continues to shine a light on a critical yet often-overlooked demographic: adults aged 45–65. By analysing how middle-aged users engage with extremist narratives online, the project provides the research, data, and educational tools necessary to build a more resilient and informed digital space.

You can now explore their latest resources below:

1) The SMIDGE MOOC Platform
Designed for journalists, educators, analysts, and other professionals, the platform offers interactive modules exploring how media systems shape public opinion, how online environments can foster manipulation and radicalisation, and how responsible communication can strengthen democratic resilience. It equips participants with practical,analytical,and fact-checking skills to navigate online.

2) Counter-Narratives and Documentary Storytelling
SMIDGE has produced a series ofcounter-narrative videosandmicro-contentaimed at challenging misinformation and extremist messaging through authentic and emotionally resonant storytelling. We will also share the link to our documentary very soon.

3) Policy Guidelines for Key Stakeholders
The project has developed a set of policy guidelines tailored to policymakers, platforms, media professionals, law enforcement,and thegeneral public, offering evidence-based recommendations to address misinformation and online extremism.

4) The SMIDGE Database for Researchers & Policymakers
This platform provides structured and accessible data on extremist and conspiratorial narratives circulating across major social media channels including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok,and X, supporting ongoing analysis and insight into evolving trends.

Conclusions Paper: Thematic Panel 2: "Addressing vulnerabilities to radicalisation from the macro to the micro level: Exploration of secondary and tertiary prevention”

This paper explores radicalisation vulnerabilities across macro and micro levels, focusing on secondary and tertiary prevention. It highlights multi-agency strategies for prison rehabilitation and reintegration, offering evidence-based practices to enhance security and support individuals' successful transition back into society.

Conclusions Paper: Thematic Panel 3: "From Insight to Impact: Building and Evaluating Online Prevention Strategies Against Radicalisation”

This paper provides practical guidance for designing and evaluating online radicalisation prevention initiatives. It explores the technical landscape of digital threats and offers actionable insights for practitioners to monitor impact effectively, ensuring that online interventions are both context-sensitive and strategically aligned with EU prevention goals.

Conclusion Paper: Thematic Panel 5 - 3rd Thematic Panel Meeting

This paper details insights from the third Thematic Panel 5 meeting on identifying lone actors and preventing their radicalisation. It explores the complex intersection of mental health and violent extremism, offering practical strategies to enhance EU-level cooperation and improve early identification through multi-agency and practitioner-led approaches.

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