This policy analysis relies on information gained through open sources such as media articles about cases of radicalization and violent extremism, public debates on the topic, academic writings, and other literature. The researchers working on this project have also used public information available at institutions such as the Ministry of Interior (MoI), which is obtainable through the Act on the Freedom of Information, in regards to their current work on this question. Additionally Analytica’s researchers have conducted interviews with relevant stakeholders, through whom we have received valuable information. Lastly, focus group meetings were held in the cities of Kumanovo, Skopje and Tetovo targeting young adults.

This paper consists of six chapters, each one dealing with a specific issue that is connected to CVE. The first chapter introduces the threat that violent extremism and the foreign fighters phenomenon pose to Macedonia and the region, while also underlying the local specifics. The second chapter examines the legal and institutional response to the violent extremism and foreign fighters phenomena. It looks into the legal interventions that have taken place as a result of the emergence of the phenomenon. The third chapter looks at the regional dynamics of the issue of foreign fighters and violent extremism. It highlights the importance of regional cooperation by showing how interconnected the Western Balkans is when it comes to this threat. The next chapter highlights the importance of the process of resocialization and reintegration, and explains why it is so complex. It looks at measures undertaken by political and religious authorities to assist in the processes of resocialization and reintegration. Our researchers compare this with what we believe to be good practices, utilized throughout Europe. The following chapter shows findings from focus groups that have been held with young people from three major cities that have had several cases of foreign fighters who went to Iraq and Syria (Kumanovo, Skopje and Tetovo). In the last chapter we summarize our findings and point out the key aspects. We provide practical and policy-relevant recommendations based on the findings of our study.