In response to the growing problem of radicalization and recruitment through social media, Search for Common Ground (Search) Kyrgyzstan implemented a project called “TaasirLink: Citizen Narrative Campaign” aimed at increasing resilience among youth at risk of radicalization (aged 14-36) and recruitment through implementing counter-messaging campaigns built on positive deviance approach of behavioral and attitude change involving network influencers identified via social network analysis. The project supported by the Global Engagement Center (GEC) under State Department. The project involved positive role models – celebrities, opinion leaders, content creators, and local influencers in the community to counter the narratives of violent extremism among youth. Search has run online and offline public awareness campaigns that resonated with targeted communities at risk of radicalization and recruitment, and positively affected them.
January 11, 2022
