On December 18–19, 2024, ActionAid Nigeria, with funding from the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), hosted the maiden PCVE-KIRH Community of Practice Meeting. The event aimed at providing a platform for stakeholders to reflect on PCVE interventions with a view understand what is working and what is not working in implementing PCVE interventions.

The meeting featured:

• Presentations and panel discussions on lessons learned from Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) interventions implemented in Northern Nigeria.
• Group discussions to reflect on ongoing PCVE interventions and projects.

Presentation Highlights- Rapid Research on Community-Based Reintegration and Rehabilitation

The presentation discussed findings from research on soft approaches to de-radicalization programs such as Operation Safe Corridor (OSC), the Borno Model, and the Presidential Amnesty Program.

Some of the successes recorded include:

• Mass surrender of insurgents.
• Improved security and stability.
• Enhanced community resilience.
• Establishment of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

The key challenges identified:

• Lack of a clear agenda for engaging ex-insurgents.
• Community distrust in OSC’s ability to achieve desired outcomes.
• Payment of stipends to insurgents leading to public hostility.
• Gaps in understanding the value of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR).
• Financial constraints due to austerity and inflation.
• Limited community support and involvement before reintegration efforts.
• Challenges in countering extremist ideologies.

Lessons Learned from Implementation of PCVE Intervention

Over a decade ago, the need for a non-kinetic or soft approach to addressing violent extremism was identified, leading to the introduction of various rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Several lessons have since been learned as mentioned in the presentation above, highlighting the need to strengthen coordination mechanisms, enable layered collaboration, and foster alignment between the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary, among other recommendations.

Knowledge Innovation and Resource Hub (KIHR) Objectives

The presentation by the Chair PCVE KIRH/PAVE Network highlighted the primary objectives of the KIHR to include:

1. Serving as a repository for knowledge, innovation, resources, and expertise.
2. Facilitating the generation, management, and dissemination of knowledge (37 knowledge products are planned for commissioning).
3. Supporting quality assurance of PCVE interventions.
4. Providing technological support to actors, CSOs, and the private sector.
5. Creating space for critical reflection and shared learning through regional hubs supported by the Community of Practice.
6. Offering a platform for innovation, adaptation, and collaboration among stakeholders.

He also noted that the KIHR will feature a digital platform with accessible features and physical hubs (national and regional). The Community of Practice will consist of all actors in the PCVE space, serving as a platform to amplify achievements, share learnings, and reduce duplication of efforts.