On 14 October 2025, in the Municipality of Gostivar, the pilot implementation of the referral mechanism officially began under the Guardian Shield project—an approach that brings together the entire community to prevent vulnerabilities to radicalization that can lead to violent extremism.
With expert support from the Hedayah – Center of Excellence for Countering Violent Extremism, the Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM) worked closely with the Municipality of Gostivar, local schools, multidisciplinary teams, and civil society organizations to build cohesion, develop local action plans, and lay the groundwork for operationalizing this innovative prevention model.
A Community-Based Approach to Prevention
At the heart of the referral mechanism lies a simple but crucial goal: to reduce the vulnerability of young people to radicalization before it develops into acceptance of extremist ideologies or violent behavior. To achieve this, the model calls for more than an institutional response—it requires the active engagement of the entire community.
The referral mechanism is built on the principles of joint decision-making and coordinated action, ensuring that no single institution bears the responsibility alone. Instead, multidisciplinary teams—comprising representatives from local government, schools, social services, police, civil society, and other relevant actors—work hand in hand to detect early warning signs, refer individuals at risk, and provide timely and appropriate support.
“Our focus is on supporting personal development, integration, and positive transformation among individuals at risk. The goal is clear—to unite in building social cohesion and community resilience. The Municipality of Gostivar is a strong example of coexistence and partnership. For the third time, it serves as a case study in CRPM’s work on preventing violent extremism. We deeply appreciate their commitment and readiness to find sustainable solutions to this pressing social challenge,” stated Marija Risteska, Executive Directress of CRPM.
Following Kumanovo and Štip, Gostivar is now the third municipality to pilot the referral mechanism, after a series of capacity-building sessions for municipal authorities, civil society organizations, and multidisciplinary teams.
A Step Toward National Implementation
The Guardian Shield project is part of the STRIVE II Global Program, implemented by Hedayah and funded by the European Union. By piloting the referral mechanism in Kumanovo, Štip, and Gostivar, the project directly supports the implementation of the National Strategy for Countering Violent Extremism (2023–2027)—strengthening local resilience and promoting a unified, community-driven response to radicalization.
