A consortium of researchers dedicated to improving the understanding of the human causes and consequences of terrorism

Providing a framework for creating public-private partnerships to counter violent extremism

Countering violent extremism (CVE)-based public-private partnerships (PPPs) are the most optimal sourcing option to address major security challenges, according to a new report by START CVE researchers Alejandro Beutel and Peter Weinberger. The report, titled “Public-Private Partnerships to Counter Violent Extremism: Field Principles for Action” provides guidelines toward creating successful PPPs for the purposes of eliciting positive outcomes for CVE.

PPPs are defined as a partnership between the public sector (federal, tribal, state or local officials and agencies) and the private sector (families, employers, citizens, philanthropies, the media, civic groups, services provides and community-based organizations) to pursue a common goal.

Largely drawing upon insights from youth development and public health PPPs, Beutel and Weinberger formulated the following field principles, organized into two broad categories, to inform the practice of developing, implementing, and sustaining CVE-focused PPPs:

Principles for Government Actors to Facilitate PPPs

1. Identify the division of labor
2. Reduce barriers to entry for non-governmental partners
3. Foster an organizational culture that makes partnering a top priority
4. Act as an “innovation catalyst”

Principles for Developing, Implementing, and Sustaining Successful PPPs

1. Have clear goals
2. Focus on results and measure progress
3. Involve consumers in developing programs
4. Involve diverse stakeholders from the start
5. Identify and utilize on champions for support
6. Establish clear governance structures
7. Adapt to changing conditions
8. Enable all partners to benefit
9. Work to maintain momentum and sustain efforts
10. Balance transparency and confidentiality

This research is supported by the United States Department of State and is part of the project, “Opportunities for Public-Private Partnership in Countering Online Extremism and Recruitment,” led by Brandon Behlendorf.

To read the full report, click here.

Keywords