Security operations alone cannot defeat violent extremism. In the borderlands, prevention starts with trust, opportunity and the voices of young people.
Over the past decade, communities along the Kenya–Somalia border have lived with the threat of terror attacks and recruitment by armed groups. Security forces play an important role, but experience across the Horn of Africa shows that countering violent extremism (CVE) only succeeds when communities themselves lead prevention.
Understanding why young people are drawn in
There is no single profile of a person who joins an extremist group. However, research and our own field experience point to common risk factors:
- Lack of opportunity — unemployment and idleness make the promise of income or status attractive.
- Grievances — real or perceived injustice, including harsh treatment by authorities, can be exploited by recruiters.
- Identity and belonging — young people seek purpose and community.
- Exposure to propaganda — increasingly through mobile phones and social media.
Prevention therefore has to address these drivers directly, not just the symptoms.
Our community-led approach
1. Building trust between communities and authorities
When communities fear the authorities, they stay silent about warning signs. VOPA convenes joint forums where elders, religious leaders, women, youth and security officers meet as partners. Over time, these relationships make early warning possible.
2. Giving young people real alternatives
Skills and income are among the strongest protective factors. Our interlocking brick technology training, for example, equipped 50 cross-border youth with machines and skills to earn a living, and linked them to polytechnics for further training.
3. Amplifying credible voices
Religious scholars, respected elders and former victims are far more persuasive than outside messages. We support them to speak out and to counter extremist narratives in mosques, schools and on local radio.
4. Healing trauma
Communities that have suffered attacks carry deep wounds. Unaddressed trauma can feed cycles of revenge. Community-based trauma healing creates space for grief and reconciliation.
The role of women
Mothers and sisters are often the first to notice changes in a young person's behaviour. Women's groups can be powerful networks for prevention — but only if they are trained, trusted and safe to speak. We integrate women into every peace and CVE forum we support.
Measuring what matters
Prevention is hard to measure: success means something did not happen. We look at indicators such as improved trust between communities and authorities, increased reporting of early warning signs, youth participation in community life, and young people moving into employment or training.
A shared responsibility
Countering violent extremism is not the job of one organisation. It requires governments, civil society, religious institutions, the private sector and families working together. VOPA's role is to connect these actors at the community level, where prevention begins. To learn more about our wider work, visit our Peace Building programme or get in touch.
VOPA builds peace, resilience and dignity with communities in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. About us
