We seek to understand violent extremism (VE) as part of a broader conflict in society, that should be analyzed and approached from a conflict transformation perspective. This is a long-term approach, allowing us to understand the root causes and drivers of VE and to address them through developmental interventions. Development can enable communities to build resilience against VE and governments to respond better to the needs of citizens. Ownership by local communities is key, as well as the strengthening of the social contract between the State and its citizens, creating inclusive governance and decision making and building leadership at both community and governance level. We see developing and implementing action plans for the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) itself as a process of conflict transformation, of shifting power relations, of transitional justice and of reconciliation. Building trust among stakeholders and being more inclusive are prerequisites for the breadth of our interventions towards effective PVE.