[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 2, 2025 (single-stage)

€42,000,000 total budget | ~31 grants expected | Single-stage, project-specific budgets

Supports national Safer Internet Centres to raise awareness, provide helplines and hotlines, and engage youth in promoting online safety and digital literacy for children across Europe.

--- ## Description This grant funds the continued operation and enhancement of national Safer Internet Centres (SICs) throughout Europe. SICs are tasked with four main pillars: - Raising awareness among children, parents, educators, and professionals about digital opportunities and risks for minors. - Providing a helpline for advice and support on children's digital technology use, including mental health and exposure to inappropriate content. - Running a hotline to tackle the spread of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM), working closely with law enforcement and private sector stakeholders. - Organizing youth panels to directly engage children from diverse backgrounds in digital safety discussions and activities. SICs also deliver educational resources, public awareness campaigns, and digital literacy training, with a focus on supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children. In addition, they assist the European Commission and Digital Services Coordinators in monitoring the impact of digital transformation on children's well-being and support the enforcement of the Digital Services Act. The centres serve as a one-stop-shop for reliable, age-appropriate information and resources, and are expected to collaborate with public authorities, law enforcement, and digital platforms to identify and address emerging online risks. --- ## Due Dates - Opening date: April 15, 2025 - Deadline: September 2, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time - Single-stage submission --- ## Funding Amount - Total available budget: €42,000,000 (for 2025 call) - Indicative number of grants: 31 - Funding is provided as DIGITAL Simple Grants (DIGITAL-SIMPLE) and is budget-based per project. - Grant size will vary by national SIC and proposed activities. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be located in eligible countries as described in the call document (primarily EU Member States and associated countries). - SICs may be composed of one or more NGOs, government bodies/agencies, and/or private sector organisations. - Proposals must address all four core elements: awareness centre, helpline, hotline, and youth panel. - Consortia are encouraged, especially those bringing together different types of stakeholders (e.g., NGOs, public authorities, private sector). --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-BESTUSE-08-NETWORKSICs?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Applicants must use the standard application form (Part B details page limits and layout). - Evaluation and award criteria are detailed in sections 8 and 9 of the call document. - Proposals must demonstrate financial and operational capacity as described in section 7 of the call document. - For detailed guidance, refer to the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). --- ## Additional Information - SICs must provide services and resources tailored to the needs of vulnerable children (e.g., those with disabilities, from minority backgrounds, refugees, LGBTQI+). - Activities should include digital literacy training, support for teachers and parents, and prompt reporting of emerging risks. - Collaboration with law enforcement and recognition as "trusted flaggers" under the Digital Services Act is encouraged. - Proposals should address both current and emerging online risks, including those related to AI, disinformation, and addictive digital design. --- ## External Links - [Full Call Details and Submission Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-BESTUSE-08-NETWORKSICs?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_digital-2025-bestuse-08_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form (DEP)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/temp-form/af/af_dep_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/agr-contr/mga_dep_en.pdf) - [DEP Work Programmes](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/activities/work-programmes-digital) - [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [General FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General EC Contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Call-specific Help/Support | [Contact Form](https://european-union.europa.eu/contact-eu/write-us_en) | | IT Helpdesk (Portal issues) | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Online Manual & Guidance | [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) |

Network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs)

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