AVDC works with local community to prevent violent extremism

Archived press release

Date Published: 30/06/08

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters

AVDC is using a government grant to support projects in the local community which help prevent violent extremism (PVE).

Aylesbury Vale is one of 70 local areas with a sizeable Muslim population which have received the grant. Other areas include Wycombe, Windsor and Maidenhead and Woking. AVDC’s grant for the current year is £105,000 with more funding available in the subsequent two years.

The key aims of the national programme are to:
• Challenge violent Islamist extremist ideology and give support to mainstream voices
• Strengthen vulnerable institutions
• Support individuals who are vulnerable to recruitment by violent extremists

AVDC has formed a Strategy Group to oversee the work with representatives from the police, Aylesbury Vale Race Equality Council and Bucks County Council attending.

A new grant scheme to which community groups can make bids will be the key way of deciding how the majority of the money is spent. The scheme will be launched on 30 June. The closing date for applications is 12 September. Successful bids will be announced in late September/early October.

Projects which support young people and women will be particularly encouraged.

Councillor Pam Pearce, Cabinet Member for Community Matters, explained, “It’s really important that any schemes that we fund are owned by the local community and involve local communities in delivering them – this is what will make them successful. The challenge is to make sure that through community projects we build better relationships between people of different backgrounds. If we can do this, extremist messages will be less likely to find support.

“AVDC has good relationships with local Muslim groups who have been involved in the deciding the objectives for the funding. Whilst we recognise that Britain is at real risk from a terrorist threat, Muslim communities and organisations in Aylesbury and neighbouring Wycombe are just as keen to oppose that threat as the wider community. By communities working closer together and building trust and understanding we can prevent any attempts by violent extremists to find support in the district.”