Protecting children, connecting cities
Εxchange of best practices on bullying and violence in the digital space
DESCRIPTION /
STAND UP is a European city network that works together to protect children and young people from violence in the digital space and to strengthen their resilience in a networked world. In an era where children and young people are increasingly threatened by cyberbullying, sexting and deepfake manipulation, the project creates innovative spaces for participation to strengthen their digital resilience. Girls, LGBTQ+ youth, and children with disabilities are particularly affected—STAND UP places their perspectives at the center of its approach. Together with partner cities in Graz (AT), Izola (SI), and Kifissia (GR), participatory and gender-sensitive strategies are developed that make prevention tangible and impactful across Europe.
GOALS /
Three key activities connect education, engagement, and policy relevance:
- Participatory workshops: Children and young people reflect on their experiences with digital violence and develop their own protection strategies and interactive exhibits. As youth ambassadors, they contribute their perspectives throughout the project.
- Interactive SAFE Space installations: In each city, an immersive exhibition is created that makes the emotional and structural impacts of digital violence visible. Exhibits such as “Fake Love” or “Digital Tattoo” encourage reflection and promote empathy and media literacy.
- Transnational Congresses “Protecting Children, Connecting Cities”: Young people, professionals, and policymakers exchange best practices. The goal is to collect and share ideas that help strengthen children’s digital resilience.
OUTCOMES /
All results feed into the European Resilience Hub—an open-access online platform for protection strategies, educational materials, and best practices. The EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child (2021) and the Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 highlight the importance of concrete measures to protect children in the digital space—STAND UP brings this European mandate to life, both locally and transnationally.
ROLE OF FEMEDUBEART /
FEMEDUBEART is, among other things, responsible for coordinating gender-sensitive dialogue and participation formats and plays a key role in STAND UP in promoting gender equality and protecting against gender-based digital violence. It addresses topics such as cyberbullying, sexting and deepfake abuse from a gender-sensitive perspective.
INFORMATION /
PROGRAMME: Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)
TITLE: Protecting children, connecting cities – Εxchange of best practices on bullying and violence in the digital space
AKRONYM: STAND UP
PROJECT No.: 101249719
DURATION: 24 months
COORDINATOR: Stiftung Medien- und Online Sucht, Γερμανία
WEBSITE: we-standup.eu
PARTNERS:
- FEMEDUBEART - Meeting point for feminist education, ethic and art, Greece
- PCO - Poklicni center Obala, Slovenia
- ACPC - Österreichische Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendphilosophie, Austria
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
