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The research project implemented by Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA) in the framework of Hedayah’s ‘Strive Global Program’ funded by the EU. The research project consisted of three methodological approaches:
These topics were analysed in connection with the vulnerability towards violent extremism and the potential (negative or positive) influence they have on the latter.
The research concentrated on two main issues relevant for the target groups – social and cultural barriers of socialization and limited flexibility of youth on the labor market. The aim of the qualitative study was to identify causes of vulnerability towards violent extremism amongst youth by providing empirical evidence.
Qualitative methods, which were used comprised of 5 expert interviews and 13 focus groups. In-depth expert interviews were used to gather all important information to determine the contexts (political, cultural, historical, etc.) of the main issues from individuals with high level of competence. Duration of the in-depth interviews was approximately 60 minutes. Focus groups were conducted with representatives of youth (15-29 age groups) and teachers of secondary and boarding schools. They were held in different parts of Georgia. In total, 13 focus groups were conducted in four regions of Georgia: Tbilisi (Capital), Kakheti (Region of East Georgia), Ajara (Region of South West Georgia), KvemoKartli (Region of South-East Georgia). The selection of these regions was based on the fact that Ajara is densely populated by ethnically Georgian Muslims, whereas Kakheti and KvemoKartli regions are represented by ethnically non-Georgian Muslims (Kists and Azeri). As for the capital, Tbilisi, ethnic Georgians and non-Muslim students of the Christian boarding school were recruited. Each focus group consisted on average of 6-8 members. The average duration of each focus group was 1.5 hours. For discussions with youth (15-29 age group), representatives of three target groups were recruited:
1. Ethnically non-Georgian Muslim Youth;
2. Ethnically Georgian non-Muslim Youth;
3. Students of the Faith-based Boarding Schools.
The quantitative survey was used for two directions: First, to measure socio-economic parameters and obtain data that are more general on the aspects of youth’s everyday life - primary social groups to whom youth representatives belong and receive social and emotional support, most popular information sources used by the target groups, the place of religious practice in everyday life, peculiarities of daily routine and etc. The second direction of the quantitative approach was the analysis of social inclusion and involvement in different social and political practices, value orientations, stances on different types of discrimination and the experience of it.
The survey was a large-scale, based on a detailed survey questionnaire and it involved standardized face-to-face interviews with a stratified-clustered probability sample of 1056 respondents.
Target groups of the survey were: a) youth in general (18-29 age group, n=430); b) students of the public schools (15-17 age group, n=430) and c) faith-based boarding school students (15-17 age group, n=196).
The basis of sample design was a multi stage cluster sampling with preliminary stratification. Sample sizes for the youth population public school students (15-17 age group) plus youth of 18-29 age group was defined according to the data from National Statistics Office of Georgia. Namely, sample of the 15-17 age group students was based on the distribution of the total number of public school students (IX-XII grades) among regions of Georgia. As to the sample of youth of 18-29 age group, its basis was a distribution of the mentioned category of youth among regions within population of Georgia.
