The Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) is launched by the European Commission in order to support Member States' efforts to prevent violent radicalisation and the recruitment of individuals to terrorist activities. The main aim of this network is to identify good practices and promote the exchange of information to connect key actors involved in countering radicalisation across the EU.

The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, launched the Radicalisation Awareness Network which aims to counter violent extremism. This network is born with the goal to connect key actors involved in countering radicalisation across the EU such as social workers, religious leaders, youth leaders, policemen, researchers and others who work on the ground in vulnerable communities. With this initiative, the Commission is working to avoid the recruitment of individuals to terrorist activities.

In order to achieve such purpose and in the European Security Strategy framework, the network will be supported by an online forum and EU-wide conferences to pool experiences and knowledge in order to enhance awareness about radicalisation and communication techniques. It will encourage opinion leaders to voice positive messages offering alternatives to violent, extremist propaganda. The network will also contribute to policy processes at national and European level and support the European Commission and the Member States in their work and provide them with adequate instruments for preventing terrorism.

The RAN will include groups, associations and platforms with concrete and practical involvement in preventing radicalisation issues. Their work will be organised in clusters of, inter alia, policy makers, law enforcement and security officials, prosecutors, local authorities, academics, field experts and civil society organisations, including victims groups.

In addition, last August the Commission has issued a contract notice to sign a framework contract for technical assistance and support to the management of the radicalisation awareness network. This tender announcement has as deadline the 30 of September 2011.