Thematic Panel 1 - Annual work programme 2026

Thematic Panel 1 addresses the increasingly complex and diverse extremist landscape in Europe, where radicalisation processes are evolving beyond traditional ideological boundaries. The panel focuses on understanding how individuals and groups adopt radical ideologies that justify or call for violence to achieve political or ideological goals.

Key Areas of Focus:
The panel examines multiple threats including jihadism (which remains the dominant threat in the EU), right-wing extremism, left-wing and anarchist movements, and the spread of conspiracy theories and narratives. A particular concern is the emergence of fragmented, hybrid, or mixed ideologies and their role in fuelling radicalisation, especially among vulnerable young people. The panel pays special attention to how extremist ideas are disseminated through digital platforms and social networks, which can exacerbate societal tensions and undermine democratic structures.