On 18th of June 2024, Algebra signed a partnership agreement in Osijek on the project "SIC – CRO: Safer Internet Centre Croatia". This project is a new step towards better protection of children on the Internet because it will enable workshops and campaigns aimed at promoting the digital literacy of children and young people, but also the improvement of the Hotline service for reporting harmful content on the Internet as well as a free Helpline for children, parents and professionals who face the challenges of the online world such as cyberbullying, online fraud and any other form of abuse. The project holder is the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the project partners are Algebra University and A1 Croatia.
The project is co-financed by the European Union under the DIGITAL-2023- DEPLOY-04, DIGITAL-2023-DEPLOY-04-NETWORK-OF-SICs programs. The contracting authority of the project is the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). The duration of the project is 18 months (01.07.2024 – 31.12.2025). The focus of the project is to protect children's rights in the digital age and improve online safety, aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), promote digital literacy and empower children and young people to become responsible digital citizens. The project will last 18 months, and its total value is slightly more than one million euros.
"Our goal is clear – to help every child who faces online abuse or is at risk of becoming a victim of it. The statistics are alarming. This project, of which we are the unique bearers in Croatia for the third time, represents a step forward in our mission. We will unite experts, expand knowledge and capacities and, together with partners, work on raising awareness among children, parents and all those who are in contact with children in their work. Education is key – we will show them how and from whom to seek help. Together we will make the Internet a safer place for every user," said Tomislav Ramljak, head and one of the founders of the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
"Algebra University is a proud partner of this project. As part of it, our experts will work on organizing educational activities for schools, parents, children and young people on the topic of responsible behavior on the Internet, and in cooperation with partners, we will develop an interactive and stimulating online platform, where children will be able to learn how to make the online world safe for themselves and their loved ones through elements of play. Through joint campaigns aimed at raising awareness of how widespread online violence, social exclusion and other forms of violation of the rights of children and young people are, we will educate the general public with partners about this important challenge of the modern age. Our experts at the Department of Cyber Security will help with their expertise in project activities aimed at preventing risky behavior of young people and children on the Internet, while our cybersecurity students will participate in panels for young people, where positive and negative online experiences will be discussed, based on which recommendations will be formulated by young people on how experts can help them with cyber challenges", said Associate Professor Mislav Balković, Rector of Algebra University.