The Commission funds a number of projects through regular calls for proposals under both the Internal Security Fund and Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation. These aim to protect the fundamental rights of children when they are under attack by child sexual abuse, as well as other fundamental rights that might be at stake, such as those of online users, including privacy.
Projects
The Commission has funded amongst others:
Under ISF
- ALUNA seeks to support criminal investigations, victim assistance, and prevention measures
- ARICA focuses on developing technologies that will enhance the capabilities of law enforcement authorities in investigations of online child sexual abuse.
- CESAGRAM targets the prevention of child grooming.
- CPORT aims to improve intelligence exchanges among INHOPE member hotlines, INTERPOL and law enforcement to expedite content removal.
- CSAPE 2022-2024 focuses on empowering children with information and helping young at-risk individuals.
- PROMISE Elpis focuses at improving responses to child victims.
- Project BRIDGE, PROTECH , STOP – CSAM and PRIORITY strive to reduce CSAM demand and distribution and facilitate access to therapeutic interventions for at risk individuals through preventive online interventions and technology tools.
- AviaTor focuses on prioritizing online CSA cases.
Under Horizon Europe
- RAYUELA seeks to deepen understanding of cybercriminal behaviour and engage youth in cybersecurity.
- HEROES and CYCLOPES emphasize a coordinated approach to combat human trafficking and promote law enforcement capabilities against cybercrime through innovation networks.
- 2PS (Prevent & Protect Through Support) project targets a preventive Strategy by supporting at-risk individuals.
- GRACE aimed at equipping European law enforcement agencies with advanced analytical and investigative capabilities to respond to the spread of online child sexual exploitation material.
The Commission has also funded other initiatives, amongst others:
- the INHOPE network, where Internet users can report child sexual abuse materials they encounter online
- the International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database at Interpol, which enables the identification of victims globally, as well as training for practitioners, research and development of new forensic approaches and systems for operational priority setting