ENgaGE Symposium in Athens: Navigating the Nexus of Gaming and Extremism

A landmark event in the European response to online extremism, the ENgaGE Symposium brought together 72 participants from across Europe to tackle one of the most pressing digital challenges of our time: the exploitation of gaming ecosystems by extremist actors.

Organised by the South-East Europe Programme of ELIAMEP, in the context of the Horizon Europe-funded GEMS Project (Gaming Ecosystem as a Multi-layered Security Threat), the two-day Symposium marked the first official meeting of the European Network against Gaming-Related Extremism (ENgaGE). Hosted at the Office of the European Parliament in Athens, the event convened a diverse coalition of policymakers, law enforcement authorities, gaming industry leaders, academics, and civil society actors.

Together, they explored innovative cross-sector strategies for building resilience and safeguarding digital gaming environments—spaces where millions of people engage daily.

Symposium Highlights

Day 1 – Dialogue, Innovation, and Technology in the Spotlight

The first day featured a dynamic programme of expert panels, keynote speeches, and a groundbreaking technology demonstration—and was notably open to the public. This inclusive format brought together a diverse group of professionals working at the forefront of online youth protection and digital safety. Participants included cybersecurity specialists, gaming industry representatives, policy experts, state representatives, educators, social workers, and members of the gaming community, including gamers themselves. Their presence highlighted the symposium’s commitment to a genuinely multi-stakeholder approach—one that values the insights of those directly shaping, safeguarding, and navigating the online spaces where millions of people engage every day.

Opening remarks were delivered by key figures who set the tone for a forward-looking and collaborative event. Maria Gavouneli, Director General of ELIAMEP, welcomed participants with a strong message on the importance of cross-sector dialogue. Maja Halilovic-Pastuovic, Coordinator of the GEMS Project, emphasized the project’s innovative vision and its relevance to current digital challenges. Ioannis Armakolas, Head of ELIAMEP’s GEMS team and Coordinator of the European Network Against Gaming-Related Extremism (ENgaGE), underscored the symposium’s role in building a united European response to emerging digital threats.

The agenda was launched by Antigoni Giannakaki, Vice Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCSA) of Greece, who set the tone with a powerful keynote on Gaming and Cybersecurity. You can access the full speech by Ms. Giannakaki on the official website of the NCSA, by clicking here.

Panel 1 – Dealing with Extremist Exploitation of Gaming Ecosystems

This opening panel explored how extremist groups exploit gaming platforms to disseminate propaganda and recruit youth. Speakers discussed emerging tactics—such as in-game messaging and gamified narratives and called for coordinated, cross-sectoral responses to detect and disrupt such activities.

Panelists:
Marketa Sonkova (European Commission), Jonathan Russell (Violence Prevention Network), Ann Becker (Video Games Europe), Daniela Pisoiu (SCENOR, Austria), and Suraj Lakhani (VOX-Pol / University of Sussex).

Panel 2 – Bridging the Gaps: Vulnerabilities in Gaming Spaces

Focusing on protection and cybercrime prevention, this panel addressed systemic vulnerabilities and the need for tailored training, regulation, and community involvement.
Speakers also highlighted the importance of designing safer gaming environments and improving coordination among child protection, law enforcement, and industry.

Panelists:
Sebastian Flick and Sarah Herrmann (Federal Agency for the Protection of Children and Youth in the Media (BzKJ), Germany), Paulo Vaz (CEPOL), Aimilia Doukeli (Hellenic Police – Cyberkid), and Jari-Peka Kaleva (EGDF, Sweden).

Live Demonstration – Watchtower Tool: AI in Counter-Extremism

A milestone for the GEMS Project, the Watchtower Tool was unveiled by Maja Halilovic-Pastuovic and Meem Arafat Manab. This AI-powered platform is designed to support European law enforcement and gaming companies in real-time detection and prevention of extremist activity within gaming environments.

Panel 3 – From Pixels to Protection: Law Enforcement Agencies & Gaming Stakeholders

This panel brought together voices from law enforcement and the gaming industry to share practical, on-the-ground approaches to identifying and responding to extremist content within gaming platforms. Discussions emphasized the growing relevance of public–private partnerships, the need for shared intelligence frameworks, and the development of tools tailored to the unique dynamics of gaming environments. Panelists shared national experiences, best practices, and challenges in countering radicalisation within digital games, including how investigative units cooperate with platform providers to detect and respond to threats while respecting users’ rights.

Panelists:
Rob Out (AgSKK, Germany), Ken Behets (Local Police Rupel, Belgium), Mikkel Bøgeskov Eriksen (Danish Police), Anders Nestius (Swedish Police), Konstantinos Kavrakis (Hellenic Police), and Paris Laras (Game Developers Association Greece).
Moderator: Darren Martin (An Garda Síochána, Ireland)

Panel 4 – Sister Projects Spotlight: GEMS & SMIDGE Join Forces

This joint panel brought together experts from Horizon Europe-funded projects addressing radicalisation in gaming environments. The session showcased cutting-edge research and methodologies from GEMS, SMIDGE, and related initiatives, highlighting the added value of cross-project collaboration within the Horizon Europe framework. Speakers shared insights on early detection tools, prevention strategies, and policy engagement, emphasizing the importance of data sharing, interdisciplinary cooperation, and shared learning across initiatives working at the intersection of gaming and extremism.

Panelists:
Bjørn Ihler (Revontulet / Khalifa Ihler Institute), Petra Regeni (RUSI Europe), Sara Wilford (SMIDGE – De Montfort University), Matthias Heider (RadiGaMe – IDZ), Lily Vicente (UN Counter-Terrorism Centre – UNCCT), and Charlotte Kathe (Moonshot – GEMS).
Moderator: Ritsa Panagiotou, Senior Research Fellow, ELIAMEP

Day 2 – Shaping the Activities and the Future of ENgaGE: Strategy, Needs, Sustainability & Stakeholder Synergy

The second day of the ENgaGE Symposium, held on Friday, 27 June 2025, was a closed-door session dedicated exclusively to ENgaGE network members and invited speakers. Designed as a strategic planning forum, this intimate gathering played a pivotal role in shaping the network’s future activities, setting priorities, and deepening collaboration among key stakeholders.

The day began with introductory remarks by Ioannis Armakolas (Senior Research Fellow & GEMS Project Team Leader, ELIAMEP) and Bledar Feta (Research Fellow, GEMS Project Team, ELIAMEP), who outlined the session’s objectives and agenda.

The programme was structured around two interactive sessions, both informed by the results of an online needs assessment survey conducted among ENgaGE members and Symposium participants in the weeks leading up to the event:

• Session 1: Understanding Stakeholder Needs Through the Gaming and Extremism Lens

Participants engaged in a structured roundtable discussion, sharing perspectives from their respective sectors. This session enabled a rich, multi-perspective dialogue on the needs and challenges faced by law enforcement, policymakers, civil society, and the gaming community in addressing gaming-related extremism.

• Session 2: Building the Future of ENgaGE – Strategies and Sustainability

This session focused on co-developing a roadmap for ENgaGE’s future—both within the GEMS project and beyond. Members exchanged ideas on how to secure the long-term impact and sustainability of the network, highlighting the importance of continued cross-sector collaboration, institutional support, and knowledge exchange.

The day’s closed setting fostered deeper reflection, strategic thinking, and a shared commitment to collective action in countering extremist exploitation of digital gaming spaces.

A Milestone for Europe’s Digital Safety

The ENgaGE Symposium was more than a stakeholder gathering—it was a catalyst for action. By convening 72 participants from across Europe and multiple sectors, the event laid the groundwork for a pan-European response to the threat of extremism in gaming environments.

From the unveiling of cutting-edge AI tools to the exchange of best practices among law enforcement, academia, and industry, the Symposium demonstrated the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility in creating safer digital spaces for all.

The organisers acknowledge with gratitude the active participation and insights shared by all attendees.