The DEFENDERS (Defending VET Students within Cybersecurity Innovation) project is an 18-month Erasmus+ Small-Scale Partnership in Vocational Education and Training (KA210-VET) focused on strengthening cybersecurity education and digital resilience among vocational learners and educators. Coordinated by Fundacja Rozwoju Społecznego CIVITAS (Poland), in partnership with Media Suite Academy (Greece) and DSU-RCSOO Nikola Karev Strumica (North Macedonia), the project responds to the growing need for specialized cybersecurity skills in vocational education as digital threats become more complex and widespread. Its main objective is to equip VET students and trainers with the practical knowledge and competences needed to identify, prevent, and respond to cybersecurity risks in both personal and professional environments.

At the heart of the project is the development of a six-module cybersecurity curriculum covering key areas such as cybersecurity fundamentals, cyber hygiene, network security, digital asset protection, incident response, and legal compliance. To support this learning pathway, DEFENDERS will create an interactive educational platform that provides digital learning materials, simulations, quizzes, and gamified exercises, allowing participants to strengthen both theoretical understanding and practical application. The project also includes transnational training for VET instructors, preparation for organizing cybersecurity hackathons, and student hackathons where learners will apply their skills in real-life challenge-based scenarios.

In addition, the project will organize Cyber Awareness Days in each partner country to raise wider public awareness about digital safety and responsible online behavior. Through its combination of innovative curriculum design, digital tools, and hands-on learning activities, DEFENDERS aims to foster a stronger cybersecurity culture within vocational education, improve learners’ employability in the digital sector, and contribute to building a more secure and cyber-aware European workforce.