- Country
- United Kingdom
- Target Audience
- Online communityVictims of terrorismFormers
- key themes association
- Alternative and counter narrativesFormers
- Year
- 2017
Organisation
Against Violent Extremism (AVE)
Is a global network of former extremists and survivors of violent extremism dedicated to steering young people away from violence.
AVE is a partnership between Google Ideas, the Gen Next Foundation and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and aims to build the capacity of its memberships to more effectively engage in violence prevention work of all kinds.
AVE holds charity status in both the United Kingdom and United States. AVE’s primary source of funding at inception was Google Ideas and the Gen Next Foundation. To date AVE still receives funding from Google Ideas
Type of Organisation: Other
Project description
Against Violent Extremism (AVE) is a network that aims to provide a platform for former violent extremists and survivors of violence to connect with each other to share ideas, collaborate, and identify partners and resources to find ways of amplifying their initiatives and message to a wider audience.
AVE uses technology to connect, exchange, disseminate and influence all forms of violent extremism (from far right and far left to AQ-linked and inspired, and gangs). On the central AVE website formers and survivors can join the network, (also on Facebook, Twitter and Google +), find and assist related projects and connect to and support members of the network.
The network has three primary functions:
- To connect credible messengers to one another so they can learn best practices and share ideas.
- To match credible messengers to private sector resources, skills and support. In the aftermath of an extremist attack AVE can act as a positive outlet for members of the public wishing to 'do something' as they can register their skills and interests in order to get involved with AVE projects working to counter extremism. The AVE network and associated website will allow individuals and organisations to share practical expertise, pool resources and find donors or volunteers.
- AVE advocates for the role which former extremists and survivors of violent extremism have to play in pushing back against extremist narratives to governments and international bodies. In addition to the above, AVE also actively seeks to facilitate longer term project partnerships, from education programmes using members narratives to prison intervention programmes.
Deliverables
Given the nature of AVE as a network, its deliverables to date have been: connecting credible messengers to each other to share best practices and ideas concerning countering violent extremism; connecting members to private sector funding; and facilitating the establishment of ongoing sub-projects between members and external entities.
An example of the latter is the establishment of the Counter-Narrative Project that uses members' stories for the purpose of educational resources to prevent violent extremism. This initiative started in Canada and is now being rolled out in the UK, Germany, and Hungary.