About the Project

The Communities and Schools Leading in the Fight against Terrorism (CS-LIFT) Project focuses on Preventing Violent Extremism through Education (PVE-E), by using an integrated social and behavioral change-informed approach that taps into the basic education system and local governance structures. 

CS-LIFT puts an emphasis on reaching youth populations in the southern Philippines specifically focused on the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Region 12 (SOCCSKSARGEN). This multi-pronged and scalable P/CVE messaging process builds resilience to terrorists and VE influence and narratives and draws on best practices tested and adapted by EAI in Mindanao, Nigeria, Kenya, and Afghanistan. 

More specifically, the CS-LIFT Project’s overarching goal within its counter-terrorism mission is to build the capacity of youth networks, schools, religious leaders, and the media to reduce the appeal of terrorist recruitment and radicalization efforts. CS-LIFT will achieve this goal by facilitating and amplifying credible and influential voices across trusted online and offline platforms, countering the spread of terrorist ideology and activities. EAI-Philippines started the CS-LIFT project implementation in the third quarter of 2020.

Project Components

Preventing Violent Extremism through Education (PVE-E) Toolkit Development and Rollout 

Using an education-based behavior change approach to enhance the capacity of school-aged youth to become VE-resilient, EAI developed and designed a 12-session self-learning toolkit on Preventing Violent Extremism integrated into the Values Education subject. Lessons and activities in the toolkit encourage critical thinking among Grade 10 students in Mindanao, Philippines. At present, there are 21 schools in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Region 12 engaged in the toolkit pilot roll-out. 

In partnership with the Philippines’ Department of Education (Region 12 Office) and the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE), the development of the toolkit underwent five stages: (1) Content Mapping through the Collaborative Design Workshop; (2) Review and Content Validation with the participation of the Content Advisory Group composed of local experts; (3) Proofreading and Packaging; (4) Quality Assurance; and (5) Teachers Training.