In recent years, a great deal of attention has been directed at understanding why and how individuals can be mobilized to support or commit acts of violent extremism and  terrorism, and whether there are intervention points along the process of radicalization  or mobilization which offer opportunities for prevention. Less attention has however  been paid to the environment in which the individuals are either radicalized or deradicalized, and the role that families and communities might play in efforts to counter violent extremism (CVE). To that end, Hedayah and the Global Center on Cooperative Security convened a workshop on 4-5 December 2013 in Abu Dhabi to explore the “Roles of Families and Communities in Strengthening Community Resilience against Violent Extremism.” Meeting participants were drawn from a range of countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Operating under Chatham House Rule, participants with expertise in a broad range of fields – including those working with victims of terrorism, youth, rehabilitation and reintegration of detainees and combatants, women’s groups and civil society organizations - considered the roles families and communities can play in both the radicalization process as well as in efforts to prevent and respond to violent extremism, and how these can inform CVE policies and practices.