Yesterday, September 7th, was the International Day of Police Cooperation, observed globally to recognise the essential role of law enforcement collaboration in safeguarding public safety
The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) is spotlighting key initiatives funded under the Digital Europe Programme that contribute to creating a safer online environment for all, especially children and young people.
Digital investments to improve online safety
The Digital Europe Programme is key to the EU’s commitment to building strategic digital capabilities. With a total budget of €7.5 billion, the programme supports high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the development of digital skills. HaDEA, managing €0.8 billion of this investment, plays a vital role in implementing projects that create online safety and resilience.
Some of these are initiatives that support Safer Internet Centres (SICs) across Europe. These national centres are essential to promoting responsible digital behaviour and combating online threats, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and exploitation. Their collaboration with police and other law enforcement bodies ensures illegal and harmful content is addressed swiftly and efficiently.
National cooperation
Across EU member states, Safer Internet Centres are working hand-in-hand with national authorities to combat digital crimes and protect young users.
In Germany, the national SIC hotline partners, eco, FSM, and jugendschutz.net, maintain a formalised collaboration with the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) through a Memorandum of Understanding. These partners regularly meet with law enforcement to share insights, improve procedures, and respond swiftly to reports involving CSAM, hate speech, racism, and xenophobia.
In Ireland, the hotline service Hotline.ie is overseen by the Department of Justice and works closely with An Garda Síochána, the national police force. Hotline.ie is officially recognised as the national body for handling the notice and takedown of illegal content online. In 2024, it launched a pilot initiative to enhance its response to child sexual exploitation material (CSEM), expanding the scope and speed of its takedown procedures.
Austria’s Safer Internet Centre promotes safe and informed internet use among children, parents, and educators. The centre’s hotline, Stopline, was established in 1998 and plays a vital role in reporting and removing illegal content, especially child pornography and materials related to national socialism. It serves as a self-regulatory tool that works in close cooperation with law enforcement agencies and internet service providers.
In Romania, the SIC operates through Save the Children’s Ora de Net project, which integrates awareness and counselling with reporting services. Its hotline, esc_ABUZ, is the country’s only civilian platform for anonymous reporting of CSAM. The centre also actively supports policy-making and legislation aimed at combating online abuse and promoting digital responsibility.
Public safety
The UN resolution that established the International Day of Police Cooperation underscores the need for enhanced international cooperation to combat transnational crime and terrorism. In the digital age, these challenges increasingly cross borders and demand united responses.
Through coordinated efforts supported by the Digital Europe Programme, SICs and national police authorities are working side-by-side to protect citizens, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, from emerging online threats.
