The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a grant program with a ceiling of $10 million to fight violent extremism.
The Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Grant Program provides an opportunity for local and state governments to apply for funding that will bolster anti-extremism efforts within their communities. State and local governments will work with first responder agencies to stymie radicalization in America. The grant description states that the funding will be used aid communities that are targeted for violent extremist recruitment and provide alternatives to individuals who have “started down a road to violent extremism.” DHS released the grant announcement on July 6.
The CVE Grant Program also aims to help agencies that are countering extremists’ online attempts to recruit Americans. The grant description stated that terrorist organizations often use social media to goad people into violent action. Awardees will collect data on their performance measures so that DHS can evaluate the effectiveness of their programs.
“Community resilience in the CVE context means those communities where violent extremists routinely meet disinterest and opposition, recruitment attempts routinely fail, and communities know what tools and support are available to assist individuals that may be on a path toward violence,” the agency said in its CVE grant description.
City and county governments, as well as private institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations, may apply for this grant. Applications are due Sept. 6.
The CVE Grant Program is an initiative of DHS’s CVE Working Group, which was established in 2010. This program aims to connect first responders with government agencies attempting to combat violent extremism.
“Foreign terrorist organizations continue to encourage travel to conflict zones outside the United States. However, they are also increasingly encouraging individuals to commit violence wherever they happen to be in the name of their cause,” the grant description said. “Additionally, domestic organizations that span the ideological spectrum are recruiting and influencing individuals to engage in violence to advance their causes.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect the agency that is hosting the grant, and the amount.
