This project aims to establish a sustainable and integrated national Safer Internet service in North Macedonia, providing protection, education, and support for children and young people through a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach. In response to increasing digital risks and the lack of integrated national mechanisms, the project contributes to systemic change by strengthening existing services and developing new, EU-aligned solutions for online safety.
A central component of the project is the upgrade of the AloBushavko platform, which integrates a helpline (116 111), counselling services, and functionalities for reporting harmful content, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). This creates a centralized, accessible, and trusted entry point for support, reporting, and information. In parallel, the project lays the groundwork for establishing the first national hotline, through the development of a comprehensive feasibility study and alignment with European standards and frameworks, including INHOPE and the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The project is structured around three interlinked components:
- Protection and Services: strengthening helpline operations, expanding counselling services, and preparing the establishment of a national hotline
- Prevention and Awareness: delivering educational workshops, national awareness campaigns, and practical tools to enhance digital literacy and promote children’s rights in the digital environment
- Policy and Cooperation: mapping key stakeholders, facilitating multi-sector dialogue, and contributing to national and EU policy processes to ensure coordinated responses and evidence-based decision-making
Within the project, IMPETUS plays a key expert role, contributing to:
- ecosystem mapping and multi-stakeholder consultations
- development of the feasibility study and sustainability plan for the hotline
- creation of operational manuals and risk frameworks for digital safety services
- delivery of capacity-building activities on data protection and digital safety
- data analysis and formulation of policy recommendations
The project contributes to strengthening civil society engagement, enhancing institutional cooperation, and supporting the development of a sustainable, EU-aligned system for the protection of children and young people in the digital environment in North Macedonia.
This activity is part of the project “Safe Internet Space for Children and Youth”, supported by Civica Mobilitas under the Partnership Action Grants (CM-PG-2). Civica Mobilitas is a programme of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), implemented by MCMS, NIRAS, and FCG. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Civica Mobilitas, SDC, or the implementing organisations.
