Brussels, (Unib Rashid) __ At the annual European Police Chiefs Convention (EPCC) in The Hague, Europol announced the winners of the 2025 Europol Excellence Awards in Innovation. These awards recognise outstanding projects that demonstrate how innovation can strengthen operational effectiveness, ethical policing, and cross-border cooperation in Europe.

This year, law enforcement agencies from Portugal, Germany and Norway were honoured for their initiatives in three categories: Ethics, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovative Operation and Technical Innovation.
Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle underlined the importance of innovation in security:
“Today’s challenges require tomorrow’s solutions. The projects awarded this year prove that Europe’s law enforcement community can plan ahead, act decisively, think inclusively and innovate responsibly to keep our societies safe.”

Award for Innovation in ethics, diversity and inclusion

Winner: Missão Cibersegura / RAYUELA (Portugal)
A cybercrime prevention project using the RAYUELA videogame to promote safe and ethical internet use among young people. Led by Polícia Judiciária, it reached over 400 schools, trained 1 000 educators, and engaged 10 000 minors, while generating the EU’s largest dataset on youth cyber behaviours to inform future policies.
Runners-up: Inclusive Safety and Strategic Innovation (Greece) and Good Samaritan Act in Drug-Related Emergencies (Estonia)

Award for Innovative Operation

Operation STREAM / CSAM automation (Germany)
A landmark investigation by the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office that dismantled KidFlix, one of the world’s largest child sexual abuse platforms. Using advanced crypto-tracing and automated reporting tools, the operation identified nearly 1 400 suspects across more than 30 countries, setting new benchmarks for digital forensics and international cooperation.
Runners-up: Operation Nautilus (Portugal) and Delisting Project (United Kingdom)

Award for Innovative Technical Solution

Winner: AI4Interviews (Norway)
Developed by the Oslo Police District with partners in Norway and the Netherlands, this solution integrates a head-mounted camera with AI-powered tools to streamline forensic documentation. Reporting times were reduced by 80%, while richer data capture during the “Golden Hour” strengthened early-stage investigations and reduced costs.
Runners-up: Cross-Match Generator (Germany) and ERBIUM – Advanced Robotic Multimodal System for Non-Destructive Forensic Material Analysis (Czech Republic)

Innovation at Europol

The Europol Excellence Awards in Innovation, now in their fifth edition, celebrate projects that push the boundaries of policing. The winners were selected by a high-level jury composed of the EU Presidency Trio Chiefs of Police (Poland, Denmark, Cyprus), the Director-General in DG HOME Beate Gminder, and Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.

The Awards are managed by the Europol Innovation Lab, which develops and promotes forward-looking solutions that strengthen the capabilities of law enforcement across the EU. From advanced data analytics to responsible AI and new operational models, the Lab supports police forces in adapting to evolving threats.

By recognising these achievements, Europol aims not only to honour individual successes, but also to inspire further innovation across the European law enforcement community.