CVE glossary

You will find the terms on this page throughout the Countering Violent Extremism site. These terms come from the National Evaluation Guide for Countering Violent Extremism Project Planners.  

A

Activities

Using resources to meet CVE objectives.  

C

Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)

Violent extremism refers to the willing use or support of unlawful violence to promote political, ideological or religious goals. Countering violent extremism (CVE) involves a broad range of initiatives that seek to prevent individuals becoming or remaining violent extremists, and addresses the social impacts of violent extremism. CVE is only one aspect of Australia’s approach to addressing the risk of terrorism.  

CVE interventions

CVE interventions include:

• activities and processes that seek to divert individuals at risk of becoming violent extremists
• activities that rehabilitate and/or reintegrate violent extremists.  

E

Evaluation

Any structured analysis, based on evidence, that brings together data to answer questions about CVE programs. The data can be:

• quantitative, or
• qualitative.

This is a broad definition that covers a range of evaluation types.  

At one end of the scale are internal program/project reviews. At the other end of the scale are detailed whole-of-government program outcome evaluations. In between the extremes sit a variety of evaluative activities that may focus on a subset of outcome areas, or focus on implementation processes or outputs rather than outcomes.

I

Indicator

Identifies and measures, either by quantity or quality, the state of an outcome.  

Interventions

See CVE interventions.

M

Monitoring

Reporting at regular intervals of how CVE programs [link to 'programs'] are delivering the required:

• activities
• outputs
• outcomes

of a program.  

O

Objectives

Goals that provide strategic direction to the broad range of programs and activities that constitute the CVE strategy.  

Outcomes

The actual or expected consequences of a program, policy or initiative. This can include changes in participants’:

• knowledge
• behaviour
• skills
• status
• level of functioning

as a result of the program policy and initiative. Outcomes should show who the subject of the activity is and how the program affected them.

Outputs

Outputs can be:

• direct products of CVE activities
• evidence that a program or initiative was actually implemented.  

P

Program

A set of activities, above and beyond usual services, that uses resources to counter violent extremism. 'Program' can refer to any program, policy, project, strategy or initiative.  

Program logic

A diagram that maps out:

• the key elements that constitute the program
• other key factors
• how those factors and elements are expected to contribute to the intended outcomes.  

T

Theory of change

The understanding of the key causal relationships that bring about desired outcomes.  

V

Violent extremism

The willing use or support of unlawful violence to promote:  

• political goals
• ideological goals, or
• religious goals.