The "Wegweiser - Stark ohne islamistischer Extremismus" programme, which was launched in 2014, supports young people and their environment in recognizing radicalization processes in their early stages and thus countering them at an early stage. The program is represented throughout North Rhine-Westphalia with 24 advice centres.
Since November 15, 2023, the "Wegweiser" program has also had an online component. Via the website www.wegweiser.nrw.de, people seeking advice can now also contact the "Wegweiser" advisors in the evenings and at weekends. Counselors can be reached via live chat on weekdays between 10 am and 10 pm and at weekends between 2 pm and 8 pm. In addition, the chat with registration offers the opportunity to make a request or leave a message at any time, which the counselors will then take care of during normal working hours.
The chats in the online component are free, anonymous and confidential. No personal data such as age or gender is requested. Feedback from the advisors generally shows that the requests are of a very different nature. For example, general information about Islam or Islamism was requested or questions were asked about the Middle East conflict, but specific requests for help, for example because of problems in the family, were also directed to "Wegweiser" via the platform.
The service also aims to reach those who have previously shied away from contacting a counseling center, and in the same medium in which they encounter extremist ideas.
"Wegweiser" is represented throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. Professionally competent advisors work at 24 locations.