Hedayah

23/06/2026

Hedayah brought together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and representatives from leading global technology platforms, including TikTokk, Meta, Robloxox, the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, and the Pan Africa Gaming Group, to strengthen national capacities in understanding, identifying, and responding to harmful online content and emerging digital threats in Tunisia.

Delivered as part of Hedayah's Building Youth Resilience and Preventing Radicalization Online in Tunisia (Skills4Resilience) program, implemented in partnership with Tunisia's National Counter Terrorism Commission (CNLCT), the workshop forms part of a multi-year effort launched in 2024 with support from the United Kingdom and now continued through the support of the Swiss Confederation, building on the program's achievements, partnerships, and impact to date.

The national expert workshop provided a platform for knowledge exchange, practical learning, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Over three days, participants explored the evolving online ecosystem, from social media and gaming environments to AI-driven risks, while examining practical approaches to content moderation, detection, prevention, and response.

Through expert-led sessions, research insights, and simulation exercises, participants strengthened both their understanding of online harms and their ability to develop coordinated and evidence-based responses to protect vulnerable audiences, particularly youth, from harmful online influences.

Reflecting on the experience, one participant, Hamza Saidi, Legal Researcher and Representative of Moughairoun, noted:

"Through their experience, they showed us how to handle digital content the right way, to be an essential element in building a peaceful society, and how to avoid extremism and violent extremism."

The workshop forms part of Skills4Resilience's broader efforts to strengthen digital resilience and media and information literacy, equipping stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to foster safer and more resilient online spaces. The continuation of this work reflects the value of sustained investment, strong partnerships, and locally driven approaches to strengthening resilience in Tunisia.

FCDO travel advice

23/06/2026

22/06/2026

Hedayah recently led an EU-funded three-day expert training workshop in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, bringing together government officials, international experts, and technology platform representatives to strengthen responses to harmful online content, youth radicalization, and emerging digital threats.

Organized in partnership with the Unified Information Centre of the Office of the General Prosecutor of the Republic of Tajikistan, with the support of the , the workshop convened participants from Roblox , the VOX-Pol Institute, The International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) and other national and international stakeholders to explore practical approaches to prevention in increasingly complex online environments.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Ahmed Al Qasimi, Executive Director of Hedayah, emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing evolving online threats:

"Extremists and violent extremists are increasingly exploiting digital spaces, including social media and gaming platforms, to spread propaganda and recruit vulnerable individuals, particularly youth. These developments underscore the urgent need for stronger and more coordinated responses."

Addressing participants, Dr Jasna Lambert, Representative of the European Union in Tajikistan, reflected on the importance of safeguarding digital spaces for future generations:

"As the digital world expands, it must serve as a bridge that helps young people build a brighter future for Tajikistan, rather than a trapdoor through which harmful content, manipulation, and extremism can steal their potential and ruin their lives”.

The workshop forms part of a broader European Union-funded consortium initiative implemented by Hedayah, the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund and The International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), supporting countries in strengthening approaches related to the Prosecution, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (PRR) of returnees from and Northeast , including Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their family members.

Building on more than a decade of engagement in , this initiative reflects Hedayah's continued commitment to strengthening prevention, digital resilience, and locally driven responses to evolving online harms.


European External Action Service - EEAS European Commission European Union in Tajikistan

08/06/2026

Following endorsement by Hedayah’s International Steering Board, Hedayah is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ivo Veenkamp as Deputy Executive Director.

As Hedayah’s founding Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Veenkamp played an instrumental role in the organization’s establishment and early development. With more than 30 years of experience spanning counterterrorism, preventing, and countering violent extremism, social cohesion, public policy, and international cooperation, he brings a wealth of leadership, institutional knowledge, and global expertise to the role.

We also extend our sincere appreciation and gratitude to Mrs. Anna Sherburn, former Deputy Executive Director of Hedayah, for her dedicated service and contributions to the organization. During her tenure, Anna played an important role in Hedayah’s strategic, operational, and programmatic development, helping to strengthen its partnerships, global engagement, and impact across the P/CEVE field. We thank her for her commitment to Hedayah’s mission and wish her every success in her future endeavors.

We look forward to this next chapter under the guidance of H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairman of Hedayah’s International Steering Board, and the leadership of H.E. Ahmed Al Qasimi, Executive Director of Hedayah.

20/05/2026

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, Chairman of Hedayah’s International Steering Board, and H.E. Ahmed Al Qasimi, Executive Director of Hedayah, welcomed H.E. Dr. Martin Longden CMG OBE, Interim Head of Mission of the United Kingdom to the UAE (UK in UAE), during a visit to Hedayah’s headquarters, where congratulations were exchanged on the recent appointments of H.E. Maqsoud Kruse and H.E. Dr. Martin Longden, while reaffirming a shared commitment to advancing Hedayah’s growth and program development through this longstanding strategic partnership.

During the visit, the delegation toured Hedayah’s offices, met with team members across departments, and received briefings on Hedayah’s global efforts through research and programming supporting prevention, rehabilitation, digital resilience, and counter-extremism efforts across the MENA region and beyond.

The discussions reflected the strong and evolving partnership between Hedayah and the United Kingdom, including collaboration on rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives in Morocco, youth and digital resilience programming in Tunisia through , global knowledge exchange initiatives, and, most recently, support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for Hedayah’s London event examining the intersection of artificial intelligence, online harms, and extremism.

Hedayah values its continued partnership with the United Kingdom and looks forward to further collaboration in advancing evidence-based and locally driven approaches to preventing and countering extremism and violent extremism.

13/05/2026

Hedayah’s May 2026 Newsletter is now available, featuring key updates from across our global programs, partnerships, research, and engagements.

This edition includes the appointment of H.E. Maqsoud Kruse as the Chairman of Hedayah’s International Steering Board, a note from our Executive Director, H.E. Ahmed Al Qasimi, as well as insights from our recent event, “Artificial Intelligence, Terrorism and Extremism: Threats, Risks, Opportunities and the Role of Governments.”

The newsletter also highlights ongoing efforts and programmatic developments across multiple regions:

In the Western Balkans, Hedayah continues advancing prevention frameworks, including support to strengthen Albania’s Referral Mechanism.

In the Middle East and North Africa, the edition features ongoing initiatives in Tunisia, including Space 21 through the Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism (STRIVE) Global Program.

Across Africa, Hedayah continues implementing three STRIVE Global projects in Nigeria in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

In Central Asia, the newsletter shares progress on EU-funded efforts supporting the prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration of returnees from Northeast Syria in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

This edition also captures recent high-level engagements, including delegations from Uzbekistan and continued collaboration with EU partners to advance global prevention and countering extremism and violent extremism efforts.

📖Read the full newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/hedayah/hedayah-newsletter-may2026

🔗To receive future editions directly, subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/iS7XF6

01/05/2026

On day two of the 19th meeting of the Regional Network of National CT-P/CVE Coordinators in Tirana, discussions focused on the role of civil society and the importance of community-led prevention. Together with The CVE Center - Albania, Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund, and the Multifunctional Community Centre of Tirana, we co-organized a community of practice.

As part of these sessions, Hedayah, in partnership with the Institute for Activism and Social Change (IANS Albania), presented its work on strengthening national referral mechanisms in Albania, demonstrating how prevention commitments are translated into practice at the local level.

Through the EU-funded Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism (STRIVE), Hedayah has been working in Albania since 2024 with the National CVE Coordination Center and IANS to support the revitalization of Local Public Safety Councils across municipalities. These platforms bring together education, social services, law enforcement, and civil society to enable coordinated early intervention where it matters most.
This collaboration has also supported the development of Albania's first Case Management and Referral Guide, establishing a more structured, sustainable, and scalable approach to prevention.

As regional partners exchanged progress and priorities, this work stands as a practical example of how national frameworks are strengthened through local ownership, coordination, and long-term investment in community resilience.

🎥Watch the full documentary to see these mechanisms in action:

🔗https://youtu.be/pxFNcgj_4sQ

01/05/2026

Hedayah was recently in for the 19th meeting of the Regional Network of National CT-P/CVE Coordinators of the , bringing together national authorities, EU partners, and practitioners to advance coordinated responses to terrorism and violent extremism. This engagement reflects Hedayah’s continued partnership with governments across the region to strengthen prevention frameworks, from national strategies to community-level interventions.

Since 2015, Hedayah has supported initiatives across and the Western Balkans, working alongside institutions and civil society to translate policy into practice. In 2026, this work continues through EU-funded initiatives, including the Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism (STRIVE) Global Program.

In Albania, Hedayah is implementing targeted initiatives with national institutions and civil society, including messaging campaigns that equip religious and community actors to design and deliver their own counter-narrative efforts. These are delivered in partnership with The Center - Albania and the Interreligious Council of Albania to strengthen strategic communication and digital engagement.

Efforts also focus on youth resilience through the “Resilience and Empowerment of Albanian Youth against Digital Hate and Extremism” initiative, implemented with the CVE Center and WIT Albania, supporting awareness and use of the national “Red Button” reporting platform.

In parallel, Hedayah is strengthening Albania’s referral mechanism with ASSIST and the Institute for Activism and Social Change (IANS Albania), revitalizing Local Public Safety Councils and expanding municipal-level support.

In , Hedayah supports the Guardian Shield project with the National Committee for Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism (NCCVECT) and the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM), strengthening referral mechanisms to identify and support individuals at risk, including returnees from conflict zones.