More resilient, still vulnerable: Taking stock of prevention of violent extremism programming with youth in Tripoli, Lebanon

This report assesses just how successful violent extremism prevention programmes have been for targeting Lebanese youth, and reviews their underlying theories of change.

Projects around prevention of violent extremism (PVE) in Lebanon and globally are common; however, exactly what impacts they are having is not entirely clear. This research critically assesses PVE programming targeting youth and its underlying theories of change.

The aim of this research is to inform more nuanced, effective and sustainable youth-focused programming that addresses the root causes and drivers of violent extremism in Lebanon. It intends to do this by increasing critical understanding of PVE programming involving youth among policy-makers, practitioners and donors, as well as by informing the planning, monitoring, adaptation and evaluation of PVE interventions.

It was found that participants of PVE programmes demonstrated higher resilience, manifested as a higher sense of purpose, belonging and trust in the municipality. Other aspects of resilience, however, such as the ability to set goals and problem solve were comparable for beneficiaries of PVE and non-PVE interventions, highlighting the potential of traditional educational programmes in building essential life skills related to resilience.