Fresh off the end of a long-term political crisis, the Republic of Macedonia currently stands at a
precipice where real change has the chance to take effect in the efforts of countering violent extremism (CVE). To date, the CVE approach in Macedonia has been articulated through a lens of securitisation, leaving little room to address some of the drivers and factors contributing to violent extremism (VE), and instead focusing on the act of violence.

In view of these realities, this policy brief proposes four recommendations, based on a broader, more
holistic grassroots approach, which would assist the Republic of Macedonia in moving away from a
“whole-of-government” strategy to a “whole-of-society” strategy which includes all stakeholders in the
CVE. Such an approach would help to facilitate a broader understanding across all levels of society of
the dangers posed by extremism, and in turn would create an environment in which citizens become
active stakeholders in the fight against extremism. Most importantly, this strategy would be a
homegrown effort, not predominantly relying upon international donors, but rather one which is local,
self-sustaining, and specific to the needs of the Macedonian context.