The “Digital Children II” Project (Grant Agreement No. 101266231) is a key national initiative aimed at ensuring a safer, more supportive, and more inclusive online environment for children and youth in Bulgaria. The project will run for 36 months (April 2026–March 2029) and is co-funded by the European Union under the “Digital Europe” program (Digital Europe Programme). It builds on the National Center for a Safer Internet’s more than 20 years of experience and aims to adapt its services to the latest technological challenges in the digital world.
The main goal of the project is to improve children’s digital literacy and resilience against online risks such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, misinformation, and dangers related to artificial intelligence (AI). As part of the initiative, the Online Safety Helpline (124 123) and the Hotline for Reporting Illegal Content continue to operate. The project calls for the creation of dozens of new educational resources, handbooks, videos, and games, as well as the implementation of large-scale training programs to support over 3,000 teachers, parents, and professionals across the country. Special emphasis is placed on active youth participation and reaching vulnerable groups.
The project is being implemented by a consortium of three leading nongovernmental organizations with proven experience in the field of child welfare and rights. The project coordinator is the “Parents” Association, the founder of the National Center for Child Awareness (NCCA), the lead coordinator of the project, and the organization specifically responsible for the Center for Awareness, educational programs, and support services at the Center. Partners in the initiative include the National Network for Children (NNC), responsible for advocacy, policy monitoring, and strategic media campaigns, and the Bulgarian Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health (BAFP), which leads youth participation activities and campaigns created by young people themselves for their peers.
This project is co-funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors of the content and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Executive Agency for Health and Digitalization (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held liable for them.
