ABSTRACT
The chapter provides a comparative analysis of the political, social, economic, and cultural factors and drivers that fuel radicalisation in two municipalities of North Macedonia, based on qualitative data collected in Tetovo and Kumanovo. It does so by uncovering the different pull and push factors that make parts of the communities in both Tetovo and Kumanovo vulnerable to extremist narratives, enabling the different extremist groups (ethnonationalists, religiously motivated extremists, and violent right-wing extremists) to recruit sympathisers and followers. The chapter elaborates on the role that civil society plays in the prevention of violent extremism as well as in the de-radicalisation process in the researched communities. The aim is to provide a clear image of the role, contribution, and the context in which civil society actors should operate as these can act as bridges between the local communities and the government. The chapter argues that coordination and cooperation among all actors involved in the P/CVE mechanism are key to making North Macedonia’s national plan for the prevention of violent extremism more responsive to the needs of society.
