ABSTRACT
The growing understanding of the complex process of leaving violent extremism and reintegrating into (mainstream) society has led to an acknowledgement that multifaceted measurements and involvement of various actors are required to promote these processes (Dalgaard-Nielsen, 2016). In many countries, local governments are made accountable for countering violent extremism (CVE), including disengagement, deradicalisation and, in particular, reintegration of former extremists (Andersson Malmros & Mattsson, 2017; Gielen, 2018; Heide & Schuurman, 2018; Hemmingsen, 2015; Lid et al., 2016; Marsden, 2017).1 Local governments can, in some cases due to their functions, be in a position to influence the individual’s motivation to leave extremism, to assist the person’s reintegration into mainstream society, in addition to society’s willingness and support to reintegrate the person (Marsden, 2017, p. 44). In this chapter, I discuss how local governments can promote disengagement, deradicalisation and reintegration, and local governments’ challenges and opportunities to stimulate these processes.
