Since 2020, IMPACT and its partners have implemented a multi-stage Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) program in Northeast Syria (NES), initially funded by the European Commission (EU-ICsP/EEAS-FPI). IMPACT’s approach is predicated on the understanding that violent extremism is a temporary response to instability; therefore programming focuses on community resilience and “peace dividends” rather than “ready-made” stabilization packages.
Multi-Purpose Community Centers (MPCC):
The heart of our reintegration effort is the Multi-Purpose Community Center (MPCC) model . Currently operating in critical locations such as Al-Hol, Hajin, Raqqa (Mansoura), and Manbij, these centers act as “safe hubs” where returnees and host communities converge to rebuild the social fabric . The MPCCs are designed as transformative spaces that assist vulnerable groups—specifically women and children—in leading independent lives free from aid dependency
Services provided through the MPCC include:
- Protection and MHPSS: Group and individual psychosocial support to help women and children process traumatic experiences and regain self-esteem
- Economic Empowerment: Vocational training, market assessments, and small grants for women to start businesses and gain financial independence
- Social Empowerment: Feminist reflection circles that allow women to critically analyze social challenges and develop collective action strategies
- Youth and Child Services: Recreational activities, remedial classes, and life-skills sessions designed to prevent dropouts and foster social bonds
The program utilizes a comprehensive three-phase methodology:
This approach is informed by rigorous field research, such as the Aftershocks Report, which analyses the legacy of ISIS, recommending improved living conditions and trust in authorities as primary tools for preventing the re-emergence of extremist ideologies. Methodology from these EU-funded pilots has been successfully utilized to scale the newer WIAAM III interventions.
Partners and Donors
