news
slide

Eurochild continues to drive reforms to protect children in alternative care

Eurochild continues its work to protect children in alternative care

The European Union is seen as a champion in promoting deinstitutionalisation through its introduction of policies and the allocation of substantial funding. Many improvements have been made in reforming child protection systems and encouraging family and community–based care. Yet, in Europe there are still an estimated 345,000 children in institutional care which is harmful to children and society. 

Following the Opening Doors for Europe’s Childrenpan-European deinstitutionalisation campaign, Eurochild will continue its work to protect children in alternative care.   


We will work with members active in the field of children in alternative care and take forward the advocacy previously carried out in Opening Doors. We have 2 key objectives under this strategic goal:

  • The next EU budget (2021-2027) prioritises investment in deinstitutionalisation reforms & all EU member states, accession & neighbourhood countries can tap into EU funds for this purpose; and
  • Eurochild members are able to leverage EU policy & funds to influence public policy and spending at a national level. 

Eurochild will focus on 3 main work-streams in 2020: 

  1. Mapping data collection on child protection systems in 27 EU countries and the UK and thematic papers on necessity and suitability principles;
  2. Facilitating knowledge exchange, peer learning & capacity building; and
  3. Maintaining & strengthening our ‘top-down’, ‘bottom-up’ advocacy with EU institutions & members.

Our work has been made possible thanks to generous support of Martin James Foundation and UNICEF.




Related News/Events

slide
8 March 2023

Advancing the use of administrative data on children in alternative care: Lessons from France

DataCare National Correspondent, Dr Isabelle Frechon, shares her work with national partners in France to report and compare data on children in alternative care. [French version below] Introduction Over the…
read more
slide
22 February 2023

Responding to vulnerable children's needs after the Earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

Eurochild member in Türkiye Hayat Sende’s concerns and call to action to support children in alternative care affected by the earthquake in Türkiye & Syria on 6 February 2023. The…
read more
slide
21 December 2022

Looking back to look forward: Changing minds, policies, and lives of children in alternative care

An overview of the partnership between Eurochild and the Martin James Foundation between 2020 and 2022 More than 850,000 children are deprived of parental care in Europe. The reasons for separation…
read more