As Program Head of the Nonstate Actors program I led a small team on two projects (Local Realities and Civil Society) to do with non-state actors and issues of violent extremism and terrorism. The Nonstate Actors program mission and vision is to contribute intentionally to the information space to further the goal of sustainable approaches to violent extremism and terrorism, this is pursued with engagments and analysis that cross sectors and levels. Team focused on West Africa, East Africa, DRC in Central Africa, Central Asia, Iraq and Syria.Currently leading the 'Priority Sustainable Counterterrorism' initiative with focus on West Africa, following field research in Ghana, with upcoming regional focus on East Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.'Priority Sustainable Counterterrorism' hinges on a cross-sector, solution-forward approach to preventing or mitigating terrorist threats. Better engaging and partnering with local actors will help mitigate these issues. In 2023 we are actively working with local, state, and international partners to support civil society organizations to mitigate the spread of terrorist violence in the Sahel, West Africa.These efforts are multiregional and multidisciplinary in approach – partner in bridging the gap between policy, practitioners, and academia. We look forward to expanding our network of partners as these and future projects move forward.