KnowCyber grantees are on the ascent to building stronger cyber awareness in their communities.
The six dedicated KnowCyber grantees are making significant strides in enhancing cyber awareness across their communities. The momentum is strong, with projects running on a 12-month timeline, supported by the EU-funded ‘Cyber Balkans’ initiative. In recent months, the CSOs have already conducted extensive preparatory research and training sessions, generating significant interest and engagement from their audiences.
“The collective efforts of these CSOs are essential in equipping communities with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely,” commented the programme’s progress Priit Vinkel, component lead for the Cyber Balkan project and Senior Expert at eGA. “Furthermore, they strengthen the collective defence against cyber threats”, Vinkel added.
Serbian NGO ASTRA has been analysing data from the ASTRA SOS Hotline and the European hotline for missing children. Their research aims to build a comprehensive tracking table that includes critical factors such as age, citizenship, destination country, and previous experiences of violence. They are also investigating how digital technologies are employed in contexts of recruitment, control, exploitation, and threats—both during and after exploitation. So far, ASTRA has examined over 850 calls and 112 cases involving victims of human trafficking and missing children, identifying a data overlap in 20 of these cases. Their focus is particularly on understanding the vulnerabilities and risks faced by children and adolescents in these contexts.
Open Data Kosovo has been busy conducting comprehensive cybersecurity assessments. They have successfully onboarded eight organisations—four media outlets and four NGOs—each representing diverse sectors. Their collaborative efforts aim to establish baseline cybersecurity postures and identify vulnerabilities within these organisations.
The Center for Innovations and Digital Education (Dig-Ed) in North Macedonia have initiated an innovative program to create a workshop-based training methodology for primary and secondary schools, integrating digital storytelling, AI tools, and game-based learning to make cybersecurity education dynamic and engaging. In late 2024, Dig-Ed developed supporting resources and issued an open call for teachers to participate in workshops. The response was overwhelming, with over 200 teachers expressing interest. On February 1, 2025, approximately 40 teachers participated in a workshop, actively engaging with the gamified methodology and collaborating on developing educational game elements. This workshop resulted in the creation of 14 gamified open educational resources tailored for various school levels, which have already begun being implemented in classrooms and receiving positive feedback.
In Albania, the Independent Forum for the Albanian Woman (IFAW) conducted a comprehensive cybersecurity needs assessment by distributing a detailed questionnaire to SMEs achieving an impressive 80% response rate. Following a thorough analysis of the results, IFAW identified several key findings: a prevalent lack of cybersecurity awareness, insufficient resources for implementing advanced cyber defense measures, a significant need for specialized staff training, and the absence of established security policies. To address these challenges, IFAW organized two workshops for SMEs to present the assessment results and facilitate discussions on potential solutions. Additionally, the NGO has begun drafting a set of “Cyber Principles” aimed at SMEs, which will provide essential principles and practical cybersecurity guidelines tailored specifically for organizations with limited resources.
In Montenegro, the NGO Secure is conducting quantitative research to assess the current level of cyber hygiene skills among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The findings will help finalise training sessions scheduled for late spring, tailored to different employee levels: management, IT staff, and a gender-focused group.
The collective efforts of these organizations are essential in equipping communities with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely. Furthermore, by fostering partnerships among national stakeholders, they contribute to strengthening the collective defense against cyber threats. Ultimately, a united approach paves the way for a safer and more secure digital environment for all.