Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The European Commission is investing €24.4 million to expand Safer Internet Centres across the EU, strengthening online safety for children and young users. The programme supports awareness campaigns, helplines, hotlines, and youth engagement to address risks like cyberbullying, harmful content, and emerging AI threats. It aims to build digital literacy, resilience, and coordinated protection systems across all EU Member States.
The European Commission has launched a major funding call to expand and strengthen Safer Internet Centres (SICs) across Europe.
These centres provide integrated digital safety services for children, parents, educators, and professionals, ensuring safer online environments.
What are Safer Internet Centres (SICs)?
Safer Internet Centres are national hubs that deliver:
- Awareness and education on online safety
- Helpline services for advice and support
- Hotlines to report illegal online content
- Youth participation platforms
They act as a central coordination point for child online protection in each country.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Ensure EU-wide coverage of Safer Internet Centres
- Promote safe and responsible digital behaviour
- Address emerging online risks, including AI-related threats
- Strengthen mental health and well-being support
- Enhance collaboration with authorities and platforms
Key Focus Areas
1. Awareness and Digital Literacy
- Educate children on online opportunities and risks
- Promote safe internet use and critical thinking
2. Helpline Services
- Provide guidance on:
- Cyberbullying
- Online harassment
- Mental health concerns linked to digital use
3. Hotlines for Illegal Content
- Enable reporting of online child sexual abuse material
- Coordinate with law enforcement for action
4. Youth Participation
- Establish youth panels
- Encourage children to share experiences and solutions
5. Addressing Online Risks
- Cyberbullying and harmful content
- Disinformation and manipulation
- Exposure to inappropriate material
6. Tackling Emerging Threats
- Risks from artificial intelligence
- Immersive environments (e.g., virtual worlds)
7. Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups
- Support disadvantaged children
- Ensure equitable access to safety services
8. Institutional Cooperation
- Work with national authorities and EU bodies
- Align with the Digital Services Act
Funding Details
- Total Budget: €24,400,000
- Funding Type: Grants to establish/expand national SICs
- Coverage: EU Member States
Who is Eligible?
Typical applicants include:
- Public authorities
- Non-profit organisations
- Research and education institutions
- Consortia with expertise in digital safety
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Experience in child protection or digital safety
- Capacity to deliver integrated services (helpline, hotline, awareness)
- Strong partnerships with stakeholders
Why This Programme Matters
- Protects children from increasing online risks
- Addresses mental health impacts of digital exposure
- Prepares young users for safe digital participation
- Strengthens EU-wide digital safety infrastructure
- Responds to new challenges like AI and online harms
How to Apply
Step-by-Step Process
- Form a National Consortium
- Include organisations with complementary expertise
- Design Service Model
- Integrate awareness, helpline, hotline, and youth engagement
- Develop Proposal
- Define impact, coverage, and sustainability
- Include monitoring and evaluation systems
- Align with EU Frameworks
- Ensure compliance with Digital Services Act and EU policies
- Submit Application
- Through the EU funding portal
- Evaluation
- Based on quality, impact, and implementation capacity
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of integrated service approach
- Weak coordination with authorities
- Ignoring emerging risks like AI
- Limited focus on vulnerable groups
- Poor monitoring and impact metrics
Tips for a Strong Proposal
- Build strong multi-stakeholder partnerships
- Include youth voices in programme design
- Use data-driven approaches for awareness campaigns
- Ensure scalability and national coverage
- Focus on measurable outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main goal of this programme?
To expand Safer Internet Centres and improve online safety for children across the EU.
2. What services must SICs provide?
Awareness, helplines, hotlines, and youth participation mechanisms.
3. What risks does the programme address?
Cyberbullying, harmful content, disinformation, and AI-related risks.
4. Who can apply?
Public bodies, NGOs, and institutions with expertise in digital safety.
5. Is youth involvement required?
Yes, youth panels are a key component.
6. How does the programme support mental health?
Through helplines offering advice and support on digital-related issues.
7. What role does the Digital Services Act play?
It guides cooperation with platforms and authorities on online safety.
Conclusion
This European Commission initiative is a critical investment in safeguarding children in an increasingly complex digital world. By expanding Safer Internet Centres, the programme ensures that young users have access to education, support, and protection online.
For more information, visit European Commission.