Octopus Project Activities

Back Octopus Conference 2025: Youth and Cybercrime Competition launched

Deadline for submissions: 5 May 2025

Young people play a significant role in the digital ecosystem, both as key actors and as vulnerable individuals facing cyber threats. The Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC) is launching a Youth and Cybercrime Competition to engage youth and youth organisations in discussions on cybercrime, digital rights, and cyber resilience. This competition aims to gather innovative ideas, perspectives, and solutions from young people worldwide to better inform policy discussions at the Octopus Conference 2025.

Competition participants are invited to submit an essay (maximum 1000 words) or video presentation (maximum 2 minutes long) addressing one or both of the following questions:

Youth perspective on cybercrime – How do young people perceive cybercrime, and what challenges do they face in the digital world?
What expectations for law enforcement agencies? – How can law enforcement better engage with youth to prevent and address cybercrime?

Submissions shall be made on behalf of the youth organisations / associations where the competition participants are members, in either English, French or Spanish, by 5 May 2025 at the e-mail address indicated in the Terms of Reference linked below.
Up to 10 winners will be selected. Winning essays / video presentations will be showcased on the Octopus Conference 2025 website and the C-PROC social media. Winners will be invited to participate in the Octopus Conference on 4-6 June 2025, attending the Youth and cybercrime workshop (travel, per diems and accommodation covered).

Consult the Terms of Reference linked below for more details on eligibility and participation, submission guidelines, assessment criteria, rights and usage, awards and recognition.

Take a stand against cybercrime – submit your ideas today!

Octopus Conference 2025 (main conference webpage)