On 17 June 2026, under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Horizon Europe GEMS Project was presented at the Working Party on Terrorism (International Aspects) / COTER in Brussels. Representing the project, Vasiliki Kotsikopoulou, Policy Advisor at GEMS, delivered a dedicated presentation highlighting how gaming ecosystems can serve as an innovative analytical lens for understanding evolving radicalisation dynamics across Europe.
Her presentation emphasised the growing convergence of harms across digital environments, illustrating how identity formation, peer influence, cross-platform migration and harmful narratives interact within interconnected online ecosystems. Drawing on the empirical findings of the GEMS research, she explained why gaming spaces, while overwhelmingly positive for most users, require proportionate awareness and informed governance to prevent misuse by extremist actors.
A central part of the intervention focused on raising awareness among Member States. Vasiliki presented the GEMS Guide for parents, gamers and educators, designed to strengthen digital literacy and resilience, as well as the GEMS Policy Brief Series, a comprehensive set of sector-specific recommendations for law enforcement authorities, policymakers, educators and gaming stakeholders. These briefs translate emerging evidence into practical guidance, offering both in-depth analyses and concise executive versions for time-constrained decision-makers.
The participation of GEMS in COTER marks an important milestone in the project’s broader policy outreach strategy. GEMS remains committed to sustained engagement with EU institutions, Member States and key stakeholders, ensuring that research findings meaningfully inform policy development and prevention efforts.
Participation in COTER directly supports this mission by:
- Strengthening engagement with one of the European Union’s principal counter-terrorism policy fora.
- Sharing empirical evidence with Member State representatives responsible for counter-terrorism and preventing radicalisation.
- Promoting awareness-raising as a key preventive tool across digital ecosystems.
- Providing tailored policy recommendations to help authorities address risks emerging from online gaming environments.
- Advancing GEMS’ commitment to continuous dialogue with policymakers in Brussels and beyond.
By contributing to COTER’s agenda, GEMS reinforces its role as one of the first European initiatives to bridge cutting-edge research with practical policy guidance on extremist risks associated with gaming ecosystems. This engagement not only increases the project’s visibility among Member States but also contributes to the European Union’s broader efforts to strengthen digital resilience, foster cross-sector cooperation and promote proportionate, evidence-based responses to emerging security challenges.
Learn more about the GEMS Project: https://www.projectgems.eu
Learn more about the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union: https://cyprus-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/en/
