CYBERSECURITY: AN EU TOP PRIORITY Cybercrime in SMEs is a growing concern. SME’s dependency on IT and Internet has opened the door to vulnerabilities to cybercrime. These vulnerabilities are making information security a critical issue for all SMEs. Tackling cybersecurity threats and attacks is becoming more and more important in the European Union and worldwide. Closely related to the need to make cybersecurity a top priority in Europe, a growing challenge is the shortage of cyber security professionals. According to the latest reports, Europe will face a shortage of 350.000 cyber security professionals by 2022.Increasing cybersecurity talent is an atypical discipline of activity. The domain is characterized by a strong autodidactic and rebellious (hackers) community. This community is often not reached or does not want to be reached by formal education providers.OUR VISION: MAKING THE CYBER WORLD A PLACE OF SAFETY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTHObjectives of the WHAT THE HACK?! project are: • To improve the level of key competences and skills of youth related to ICT and thus their relevance for the labour market (by developing new educational content on Cybersecurity, Ethical Hacking and Cybersafety).• To develop inclusive ICT learning environments for youngsters inside and outside of VET education (by setting up/further develop ‘Hack labs’, i.e. sheltered ICT learning places).• Include NEETS in non-formal learning, and as a result guide them to education or employment.• To empower SMEs and individuals to secure their online life through cybersafety education and awareness raising. • To promote synergies, cooperation and cross-fertilisation between the different stakeholders active in the ICT sector within education, industry and (semi-) government. • To ensure that VET (including VET teachers) is at the forefront of technological developments in the ICT sector allowing the rapid update of these developments in training curricula and qualifications in VET (by letting VET education providers actively participate in the triple helix partnerships).• To promote lifelong learning for ICT professionals by developing their pedagogical competences and skills and prepare them to become ‘Hack-lab coaches’. • To increase the opportunities for international peer-learning and learning mobility for VET youngsters by facilitating international students’ cooperation’s and training weeks;• To foster quality improvements, innovation excellence and internationalisation of VET institutions through enhanced transnational cooperation between EU VET institutions and ICT (public and private) stakeholders.TARGET GROUPThe WHAT THE HACK?! project is primarily aimed at youngsters within VET education and outside (NEETs). The project is open to digital youngsters, gamers, school leavers, autism spectrum and youngsters who miss a challenge in their current education. NEETS, VET students from different sectors with affinity with ICT will be targeted by the project allowing students from different backgrounds to learn from each other. In addition, the project targets VET teachers, staff and ICT professionals as it actively involves ICT professionals in education. During the lifespan of the project, 180 youngsters, 24 teachers and 80 ICT stakeholders (80) will actively participate in the project activities. RESULTSUpon completion of the WHAT THE HACK?! project the following Open Educational Resources will be available:• IO1 - WHAT THE HACK?! – Blended training programme for VET youngsters.• IO2 - WHAT THE HACK?! – Hack Lab set-up guide.• IO3 - WHAT THE HACK?! – Blended training programme for Hack-Lab coaches.• IO4 - WHAT THE HACK?! – Online Community.In addition, WHAT THE HACK?! will organise several Multiplier events and 3 learning activities for youth: in Pärnu EE in April 2020, in Leeuwarden NL in December 2020 and in San Sebastian ES in September 2021.IMPACT & LONG TERM BENEFITSThe fundamental change the project desires to make is to strengthen young peoples’ relevance for the labour market. This effect the local and regional economy as ICT companies will have access to competent vocational cyber security professionals contributing to the growth of companies (thus employment opportunities and economic welfare Europe). Future professionals will be well-equipped and appropriately educated to meet the demand of the market (thus increasing their employability and competitive advantage in the global market and increasing their socio-economic prospects). Youth that is not in employment or education find their way back to education and/or employment and increase their long-term job and socio-economic prospects (equal opportunities for all). The project impacts Europe as it contributes to making SMEs and individuals in Europe less vulnerable to cybercrime and tackling cybersecurity threats and attacks by educating competent vocational cyber security professionals.