Evidence demonstrates that efforts by governments and multilateral actors, particularly security-focused initiatives, are not
sufficient to prevent violent extremism. Governments and multilateral institutions need to work more closely with other
sectors of society to address the relevant underlying drivers of this phenomenon. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are
especially important as they are citizen-led, locally rooted entities that have the access and long-term commitment needed
to foster social cohesion and respect for equal rights and pluralism in their communities. This call for collaboration and
inclusion is enshrined in the former UN Secretary-General’s Plan of Action on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and in a
growing number of national PVE action plans.