Within the multi-year programme on child protection in the use of Internet and other communication technologies, Safer Internet, the Commission has launched a call for proposals calling to suggest actions that could fund the programme. Interested parties may submit their proposals until November 19th 2009.

On December 2008, the European Union adopted the Community Programme Safer Internet aimed at securing children in the Internet complex environment. This Programme is intender to be the successor of the Safer Internet plus programme (2005-2008).

The European Commission has therefore published a Call for proposals inviting all interested parties to propose actions which could be funded under the Safer Internet Programme. This call is structured into four action lines:

• Action 1 and action 2: With the aim to ensure public awareness and fighting against illegal content and harmful conduct online,  the 2009 work program proposed the creation of Safer Internet centres, to coordinate activities and facilitate knowledge transfer between stakeholders.
• Action 3: In order to promote a safer online environment, a thematic network of European NGOs that defend the rights and welfare of children to ensure consideration of the needs of children in discussions about Internet and new media in Europe, is also proposed.
• Action 4: As for establishing a knowledge base, it also proposes projects to improve the knowledge of which is to better target child sexual abuse in the online environment.

Eligible organizations, budget and deadlines for Safer Internet Call

The indicative total budget available for this call under the 2009 budget is 9.333 M€ of Community contribution. In order to ensure the objective of full coverage of the integrated European network of Safer Internet centres, the budget of the 2009 call for proposals may be reinforced by appropriations from the 2010 budget, subject to the adoption of the 2010 budget by the Budgetary Authority and to the availability of appropriations.

The call for proposals under 2009 Work Programme is open to all legal entities established in the Member States. It is also open to participation of legal entities established in EFTA States which are contracting parties to the EEA Agreement (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).

Interested parties must prepare their proposals using the forms in the Guide for proposers, and sent them to the Commission at the following address:

European Commission
Directorate General Information Society & Media
Safer Internet
Office EUFO 1194
Rue Alcide de Gasperi
2920 Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG

Further information as well as some relevant documents for the presentation of the Safer Internet Call for Proposals are available at the Safer Internet Programme website.