Model Municipalities for Deradicalisation

type: Article , Topic: Security

Modellkommune Deradikalisierung – "MoDeRad"

Background

  • Under Germany’s federal structure, a variety of stakeholders are involved in CVE/deradicalisation processes.
  • A long-standing cooperation/network has been established between the federal and state levels.
  • Local structures also play an important role in successful long-term deradicalisation processes. A regular dialogue between municipalities and the federal level on issues of deradicalisation does not exist yet.

Project aims & expected outcome

Model Municipalities for Deradicalisation aims to

  • further strengthen and foster local structures in the field of deradicalisation;
  • engage in a dialogue between municipalities engaged in deradicalisation and the federal level.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) will compile, revise and edit the outcomes and findings of local projects:

  • Key findings and conclusions will be published/made available to interested municipalities and enable them to confront radicalisation more confidently and with more assurance.

in English: Final Report "MoDeRad" type: Download , Date: 25 April 2022

PDF, 5MB, accessible file

Final Report "MoDeRad"

Project implementation

BMI offers funding to put into practice six local projects, ideas and strategies regarding all categories of extremism. Each of the three areas "right-wing extremism", "Islamist extremism" and "all categories of extremism" is addressed by projects in two model municipalities (see "Local projects" below).

  • Six municipalities are to receive funding in 2021 for 9-12 months.
  • Grants vary between 36.000 and 90.000 Euros per municipality.
  • Each municipality chooses one key aspect of communal deradicalisation work and holds a presentation on that aspect (e.g. anti-discrimination, multi-agency-approach, psychological and medical professions).
  • Advisory board of external experts: 11 experts supported BMI in assessing the applications and continue to provide professional support to BMI and the municipalities in their respective areas of expertise.

The local projects started in January 2021. Throughout the year there will be meetings for the model municipalities to exchange experiences.

Local projects

Augsburg (right-wing extremism)

... ... (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Ruth Plössel/Stadt Augsburg

The project in Augsburg will create the structures necessary for a multi-agency approach to deradicalisation work in the area of right-wing extremist ideologies.

Essen (right-wing extremism)

Rathaus der Stadt Essen Rathaus der Stadt Essen (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Peter Prengel, Stadt Essen

This project is aimed at those who are on the edges of right-wing extremist movements but not (yet) involved at organisational levels. The project thus responds to the presence of a specifically right-wing scene.

Bamberg (all categories of extremism)

Blick auf das Alte Rathaus der Stadt Bamberg. Blick auf das Alte Rathaus der Stadt Bamberg. (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Stadt Bamberg, Pressestelle

With a view to analysing and working on specific cases, this project will set up a coordinating office in the city administration, and establish an interdisciplinary round table and a network for all stakeholders.

Heidelberg (all categories of extremism)

Die Alte Brücke in Heidelberg mit Besuchern. Die Alte Brücke in Heidelberg mit Besuchern. (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Steffen Diemer, Stadt Heidelberg

This project aims to take the methodological approaches of anti-discrimination work and use them in deradicalisation work – and vice versa.

Berlin (Islamist extremism)

Blick auf den Berliner Dom Blick auf den Berliner Dom (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Laura Ginzel, Stadt Berlin

The project will focus on capacity building in the healthcare professions relevant to deradicalisation. This will involve assessing obstacles to relevant healthcare access and transferring knowledge to the relevant professions.

Wolfsburg (Islamist extremism)

Blick über dier die Stadt Wolfsburg Blick über dier die Stadt Wolfsburg (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Stadt Wolfsburg

The aim of the Wolfsburg project is to develop and provide relevant youth services to those returning from jihadist conflict zones and their families – and to other families influenced by Islamist extremism.


Contact

Do you have any questions?

Send us an email at moderad@bmi.bund.de.