Initiatives to prevent radicalisation in Spanish and French educational establishments

The radicalisation of young people leading to extremism is considered a serious security challenge in Europe. As the case of the foiled attack at the Taylor Swift concert in Vienna shows, this phenomenon can occur anywhere. In response to this challenge, Western European countries have developed a number of prevention projects targeting young people. This article presents and analyses the main educational initiatives implemented in France and Spain designed to reduce the risk of children and young people being radicalised and influenced by extremist ideologies. The data necessary for the preparation of this text were collected during study visits to France (Paris) and Spain (Madrid, Salamanca, Barcelona, and Malaga), which took place between 2020 and 2023. During the visits, we carried out numerous queries and in-depth interviews with French and Spanish experts dealing with the issues analysed. The article points out the importance of cooperation among state security institutions, the educational sector, and families at risk of radicalisation as well as the need for the coordination of various preventive measures. Due to the differences in the political systems of France and Spain, the former adopted a strategy of developing and implementing deradicalisation and prevention activities at the central level, while in Spain, preference was given to the regional and local levels for the execution of such projects.