Aligning the legislation in the Western Balkans with EU child-safety standards online
In October, Eurochild took part in the conference on the Protection of Children in the Digital Sphere, organised within the TOMAS – Towards UnifOrMed Legislation Against CSAM project.
What is TOMAS?
The TOMAS project is a collaborative initiative that addresses the problem of online sexual exploitation of children in the Western Balkans by supporting alignment of national laws with the EU proposal for a Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse. The main goal of the project is to prevent the Western Balkans from becoming a hub for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and grooming. At Eurochild, we participated in this project in an advisory role, led by our member Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (CNZD) Serbia, together with our members Centre for Child Rights Albania and First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi (North Macedonia).
Eurochild’s advocacy on online safety and the accession process
At Eurochild, we advocate for policymakers to adopt and enforce strong legal frameworks to protect children, and for companies to design their digital services with children's rights in mind, including listening to and respecting their views. While we support the adoption of robust legislation by the EU, it is also essential to prepare enlargement countries to align with the EU Acquis, particularly chapters 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights and 24 on justice, freedom, and security. We reiterate this in our yearly contribution to the EU enlargement report. Key outcomes of the project included a report on how the Balkan countries can align with the EU legislation on digital safety, as well as an advocacy and grassroots lobbying guidebook.
A panel on solutions to ensure child safety in the digital environment
After having introduced the EU legislative framework and developments on children’s rights in the digital environment, Mieke Schuurman, Director for Child Rights and Capacity Building, moderated a panel with CNZD, the Centre for Child Rights Albania and First Children’s Embassy in the World – Megjashi. The discussions were on legislation that is advancing, where implementation gaps persist, and how TOMAS has helped build capacity and cross-border cooperation. A shared conclusion emerged: a child rights approach must guide policy and practice - upholding the best interests of the child, non-discrimination, the right to be heard, and access to remedy - while overcoming a culture of silence that too often surrounds online abuse.
Visit to CNZD office
Following the conference, Eurochild visited CNZD in Novi Sad. The exchange with members from Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia and representatives from Montenegrohighlighted day-to-day realities: digital safety, children’s mental health, children in contact with the justice system, and the importance of a thriving civic space for child rights defenders.
These exchanges and conversations shape our advocacy and engagement at the EU level with stakeholders involved in digital safety, the accession process, and broader children’s rights. Eurochild will continue collaborating with our members, including in the enlargement countries, to promote legislation and practices that create a digital environment suitable for children - one that complements protection with prevention, participation, and accountability.
