Safer Internet plus Work Programme 2008
/ EUROPEAN COMMISSIONInformation Society and Media Directorate-General
Digital Content & Cognitive Systems
eContent and Safer Internet
Safer Internet plus
A multi-annual Community Programme on promoting safer use of the Internet and new online technologies
Work Programme 2008
Draft version of
19 December 2007
DRAFT VERSION ONLY FOR USE WITHIN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS AND FOR THE MEMBER STATES REPRESENTATIVES
Table of contents
1INTRODUCTION
2OBJECTIVES AND OVERALL APPROACH
2.1Safer Internet plus Programme, the overall aim
2.2Illegal vs harmful content and conduct online
2.3International scope of the Safer Internet plus Programme
2.4Child participation in the Safer Internet plus Programme
2.5Project types and common requirements for 2008
3ACTION 1: FIGHTING AGAINST ILLEGAL CONTENT
3.1Action 1.1 Integrated network: Hotlines
3.2Action 1.2: Integrated network: Hotline network co-ordinator
3.3Action 1.3 Targeted projects: enhancing law enforcement agencies' analysis of illegal material
4ACTION 2: TACKLING UNWANTED AND HARMFUL CONTENT
4.1Action 2.1 Study on benchmarking filtering software and services
5ACTION 3: PROMOTING A SAFER ENVIRONMENT
5.1Action 3.1 Knowledge enhancement projects: Online victimisation of children
5.2Action 3.2 Knowledge enhancement projects: Strengthening the knowledge base
5.3Action 3.3 Safer Internet Forum
5.4Action 3.4 Encouraging self regulatory measures in promoting a safer online environment for children
5.5Action 3.5 Eurobarometer survey
6ACTION 4: AWARENESS-RAISING
6.1Action 4.1 Integrated network: Awareness nodes
6.2Action 4.2 Integrated network: Awareness network co-ordinator
6.3Action 4.3 Integrated network: Helplines
6.4Action 4.4 Safer Internet Days 2008 and 2009
6.5Europe Direct
7PARTICIPATION IN THE SAFER INTERNET PLUS PROGRAMME AND EVALUATION PROCESS
7.1Appointment of independent experts for evaluation and reviews
7.2Eligibility criteria
7.3Award criteria
7.4Selection criteria
8IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AND BUDGET
8.1Call for proposals
8.2Public procurement actions
8.3Indicative calendar for related activities
9FURTHER INFORMATION
1INTRODUCTION
This Work Programme covers the activities to be carried out under the Safer Internet plus Programme in 2008. It defines the priorities of these activities, in line with the decision of the European Parliament and the Council establishing the Safer Internet plus Programme ("the Programme decision").[1] In particular, the Work Programme defines the content and criteria of the call for proposals, its objectives and expected results as well as the indicative budget, and gives information about the activities which the European Commission will organise in collaboration with stakeholders.
This Work Programme also takes into account and implements policies laid down in the:
-Recommendation on the protection of minors and human dignity and the right of reply[2]
-Communication on the Rights of the Child[3]
-Communication on cybercrime[4]
-Audiovisual Media Services Directive[5]
2OBJECTIVES AND OVERALL APPROACH
2.1Safer Internet plus Programme, the overall aim
The overall aim of the Safer Internet plus Programme ("the Programme") is to fight against illegal content and to promote safer use of the Internet and other online technologies, particularly for children, as part of a coherent approach by the European Union.
The Programme runs for the 4 years 2005-2008. It has a budget of 45 million €, to be spent on activities under 4 actions:
(a)fighting against illegal content
(b)tackling unwanted and harmful content
(c)promoting a safer environment
(d)awareness-raising
In 2008, actions in all these areaswill be implementedthrough a call for proposals, through public procurement actions and through the organisation by the Commission of a number of activities to bring together relevant stakeholders, such as organising awareness-raising and coordination activities both at the European level (Safer Internet Day, Safer Internet Forum etc) and at the international level.Specific attention will be given to funding projects aimed at broadening the knowledge base within the field of safer online technologies.
2.2Illegal vs harmful content and conduct online
Risks for and negative impacts on children online can result from being exposed to illegal content, harmful conduct and harmful content.
Illegal content is defined by national law. Despite many common features, significant differences of details in legislation exist between the national laws of Member States and of third countries where content may be produced or hosted. Illegal content is primarily dealt with by law enforcement agencies, prosecuting offenders and bring them before the courts. Their work might be supported by regulators, NGOs and industry.
The main form of illegal content which falls under the scope of this Work Programme is child abuse material. Another form is racism and xenophobia. Europe-wide standards exist for both.[6]
In the context of this Work Programme, harmful conduct includes conduct preparatory to committing a sexual offence against a child by contacting them online, sometimes referred to as "grooming"[7], and bullying and harassment happening in the online environment, so-called cyberbullying. The preparatory acts for committing sexual offences are not, as such, yet considered as an offence in most Member States, but grooming is a criminal offence in the UK and a recent Council of Europe Convention[8] makes it an offence in signatory countries.
Harmful content is content which parents, carers, teachers and other adults responsible for children consider to be harmful for them. The conception of what is harmful also varies across countries and cultures. A variety of means exist to deal with harmful content, all of which need to be used in combination to increase their effectiveness: self-regulation and technical tools, awareness-raising and education and enforcement of legal provisions, where they exist. Some harmful content may also be illegal whatever the age of the user who has access to it (such as racism and xenophobia). Some harmful content may also be subject to regulation: for instance, in some countries certain forms of pornography may be legal for adults but it is illegal to give access to children to that content.
Europe-wide standards exist for the protection of minors and human dignity, and for electronic commerce, privacy and electronic communications.[9]
Dealing with illegal content, on the one hand, and harmful content, on the other hand, may require using different methods, strategies and tools. However, some tools can be used for all categories. For instance, awareness-raising can be used in respect to illegal content and harmful conduct (crime prevention) as well as for harmful content.
2.3International scope of the Safer Internet plus Programme
The issues covered by the Safer Internet plus Programme are global and need national, European and international solutions. This is particularly true for illegal content. Material depicting child sexual abuse may be produced in one country, hosted in a second, and accessed and downloaded all over the world. Commercial payment systems operating worldwide may be used to fund sale and purchase of the images. In 2008, the Programme will continue to support international actions targeted at combating the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Digital technologies offer an unprecedented means of facilitating freedom of expression and communication around the globe; in the present context, as Internet access and mobile phone use become more widespread both throughout Europe and the rest of the world, children themselves increasingly become active users of this technology. Interaction with non-European countries may provide useful indications about the way in which children are using the technology and new ideas on how to equip them and their parents, carers and teachers with the necessary knowledge.
2.4Children's empowerment and participation in the Safer Internet plus Programme
Children are expert users of Internet and other online technologies like mobile phones. The work of the Safer Internet plus Programme is based on knowledge about how children use these technologies. The Programme has been recommended[10] to involve children to a greater degree in its actions. In line with this, the Programme in 2007 carried out a survey across all MemberStatesplusNorway and Iceland, where focus groups of children in each country were interviewed in depth about their use of the technologies and how they perceive and deal with risks.[11] The results of this will feed into the work of the Programme.
The Programme strongly encourages the awareness nodes to involve children and young people in their work, by establishing youth forums where young people can express their views and exchange knowledge and experiences concerning their use of online technologies. Children will also be asked to contribute to the policy development and design of awareness raising actions, tools and material. The involvement of children will also be sought in designing events for Safer Internet Day 2008 and 2009.
2.5Project types and common requirements for 2008
Integrated networks: The Safer Internet plus Programme has set up two European networks:
-a network of hotlines where the public can report illegal content, and
-a network of national nodes performing awareness-raising activities and running helplines.
The purpose of the networks is to coordinate activities and bring together a variety of stakeholders to ensure action and facilitate transfer of knowledge locally, regionally and throughout Europe. The hotlines and awareness nodes are part of these networks. Each node has a national reach and the European-wide networking between nodes is enhanced by network coordinators. Awareness nodes may, as part of the integrated networks, apply to cooperate with or establish helplines where children can raise concerns about illegal and harmful content, harmful conduct (grooming and cyberbullying) and uncomfortable or scary experiences related to their use of online technologies. Hotlines and awareness nodes apply for Commission support under the project type "integrated networks".
The Commission will expect cooperation of awareness nodes, hotlines and helplines at local level and therefore encourages the establishment of combined nodes composed of an awareness node, a hotline and a helpline, where theywill be expected to co-operate by:
-setting up a single advisory board with national stakeholders
-exchanging information about their respective activities
-agreeing common positions on Safer Internet issues for submission to policy-makers and the media
-joint awareness raising activities/campaigns
-contributing to the visibility of Safer Internet Day
One single grant agreement will be given for a combined node. However, the awareness node, hotline and helpline will each retain their operational independence.
In order to achieve maximum efficiency and impact, each hotline, each awareness node and each helpline should preferably consist of a single organisation.
In the case of a consortium, the distribution of work between partners should be clear and logical. The recommended maximum size of the consortium for a combined node composed of an awareness node and hotline is 3 partners, or 4 partners for a combined node which includes a helpline.
If the consortium is larger than the recommended maximum size, the Commission may require it to be reduced in size or offer a reduced rate of funding. Exceptionally, a larger consortium may be accepted without a reduction in the rate of funding if both the total project budget and each participant's part in that budget are substantial, or as a transitional measure to facilitate the move from "stand-alone" awareness nodes and hotlines to a combined node.[12]
Not more than one awareness node, one helpline and one hotline will be selected for funding within a given geographical area.[13]
It is essential that an awareness node exists in a country where a hotline is set up, so as to assist in ensuring the visibility of the hotline. Hotlines will therefore only receive funding if either a) the proposal recommended for funding is a joint proposal for an awareness node and hotline or b) an awareness node for that country is already operating under the Safer Internet plus programme or has been selected for funding.
In the integrated networks, the funding for hotlines, awareness nodes and helplines will be 50% (which may be increased to 75 % for public bodies, SMEs and non-profit organisations).
Proposals must
- clearly describe the current situation in the country regarding issues related to safer use of Internet and other online technologies and demonstrate the value the proposed national node expects to add in this context.
- explain which kind of support the project would receive from national authorities, industry, NGOs or childcare organisations by providing supporting letters from such organisations stating what kind of support they will give the project. Hotlines also need to provide such supporting letters from national law enforcement agencies, and awareness nodes need to include supporting documents showing that they have a clear mandate to educate the public in safer use of the Internet and other online technologies or in media and information literacy.
- show how the proposed hotlines, awareness nodes and helplines will co-operate with other organisations active in the field in the same geographic area, both those funded by the Safer Internet plus Programme and others.
The hotlines, awareness nodes and helplines will contribute to the consolidation and further development of the European networks. They should illustrate the European dimension of the issue(s) addressed in the proposals, and the extent to which the proposed action would contribute to tackling them at European level.
Targeted projects are pilot projects or best practice actions in areas relevant to the Programme, including projects involving innovative uses of existing technology. The standard funding model for targeted projects is 50% of the eligible costs (which may be increased to 75 % for public bodies, SMEs and non-profit organisations).
The European added value of the proposal will have to be clearly demonstrated, including coverage of several different Member States. A targeted project consortium should be of a manageable size - an indicative size would be 3-8 applicants. Potential end users should be involved, either as members of the consortium or indirectly, for instance through a project advisory board or a pilot user group, to be consulted by the consortium in order to provide advice and feedback on the results. At least 3 Member States should be covered (including through the project advisory board).Further links with relevant external organizations and/or other relevant projects should be established.
The issues addressed should have a European dimension, and the ways proposed to tackle them at European level should impact a large number of users in the largest possible number of EU countries. As far as the expected impact is concerned, the target users and their needs, also beyond the consortium participants, must be clearly identified. Proposers must present an analysis of demand based as much as possible on quantified evidence. The results of the project must be accessible by the target users beyond the end of the project. Exploitation and/or dissemination plans are expected to adequately support these objectives. Appropriate measures and indicators are required for monitoring the progress of the project and for assessing the results and the impact of the activities.
Knowledge enhancement projects are projects within the general field of safer Internet and online technologies. The aim of these projects is to strengthen the knowledge base relevant to the Programme. Knowledge enhancement projects will be funded at 100% of direct eligiblecosts (as defined in the model grant agreement), but without indirect costs (overheads).
The knowledge enhancement projects may be studies, surveys, assessments and investigations of a sociological, psychological, statistical, technical or otherwise relevant nature. Proposers should provide a clear description of the relevance and expected impact of the subject chosen, and of current underlying knowledge and research on which it builds and make use of methodologyappropriate (qualitative and/or quantitative) to the proposed objectives of the project. The results of the project must be made accessible by the public and relevant stakeholders beyond the end of the project. Exploitation and/or dissemination plans are expected to adequately support these objectives. Appropriate measures and indicators are required for monitoring the progress of the project and for assessing the results and the impact of the activities.
The European added value of the proposal will have to be clearly demonstrated, demonstrating how the expected results will be of use to and might reflect a wider European situation, and/or provide cross-border cooperation within the project. The issues addressed should have a European dimension, and the ways proposed to tackle them at European level should benefit a large number of people in the largest possible number of EU countries.
Proposals will be expected to clearly describe the adequacy of the methodology and work plan for achieving the objectives stated in the proposal, including their applicability in practical terms, such as the relevant expertise of the staff to carry out the project (eg. their expertise in handling sensitive situations and issues), how focusgroups will be selected and approached and give their consent to the study at hand,taking into account the possible sensitivity of the subject to be investigated.
Proposals for knowledge enhancement projects may be submitted by a consortium of legal entities. In case of a consortium, it should be of a manageable size, 3-8 applicants, covering at least 3 Member States. The consortium should include representatives of relevant stakeholders, who either contribute directly or indirectly, for instance through a project advisory board, to be consulted by the consortium in order to provide advice and feedback on the methodology and the results. Further links with relevant external organizations and/or other relevant projects should be established.
Public procurementactions will be implemented through dedicated calls for tenders or use of existing framework contracts. Further details on the procurement actions foreseen in 2008 are given under the relevant actions and in the chapter "Implementation plan and budget".
3ACTION 1: FIGHTING AGAINST ILLEGAL CONTENT
The production and distribution of material that depicts sexual abuse of children (child pornography) is a global problem. Internet and other online technologies have facilitated the distribution of such material to the whole world, and although legislation exists, the amount that circulates online does not seem to decrease.