Objective

This call aims to strengthen and implement policies that protect and promote children’s rights in Europe. It ensures children’s voices are heard and that they actively participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. The call supports projects that align with the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, the EU Children’s Participation Platform, and other child-centered policy frameworks.

Eligibility Criteria

• Who can apply?

  • Non-profit public or private entities, including civil society organizations, academic institutions, and local, regional, or national authorities.
  • Organizations must be legally established in an EU Member State or a country associated with the CERV programme.
  • For Priority 3, at least one public authority (e.g., municipality, ministry) must be involved in the consortium.

• Consortium Requirements

  • A project must involve at least two applicants (one lead applicant and at least one co-applicant).
  • Proposals can be national or transnational, but transnational collaborations are encouraged.

Application Deadline

April 29, 2025 – 17:00 CET (Brussels time)

Eligible Countries

This funding is available to organizations based in all EU Member States and CERV-associated countries (check the latest list on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal).

Project Duration

• Minimum duration: 12 months
• Maximum duration: 24 months
• Extensions may be possible if justified

Grant Amount

The total available budget is €17,000,000, distributed as follows:

• €9,000,000 for projects on children’s rights in the digital age
• €5,000,000 for projects on children’s engagement and participation
• €3,000,000 for projects on embedding a child rights perspective in policies

The minimum grant per project is €200,000, with a funding rate of up to 90% of eligible costs.

Priority Areas and Activities Funded

Projects must focus on one of the following three priority areas:

Priority 1: Children’s Rights in the Digital Age

• Goal: Protect and empower children in the digital environment by promoting digital literacy, safe online interactions, and ethical digital services.
• Examples of Funded Activities:
  • Developing educational tools and training programs on online safety and privacy.
  • Raising awareness among children, parents, educators, and ICT professionals about children’s digital rights.
  • Promoting ethical responsibility among tech companies and policymakers to ensure safer digital spaces.
  • Supporting projects addressing cyberbullying, misinformation, and commercial manipulation targeting children.

Priority 2: Children’s Engagement and Participation

• Goal: Strengthen child participation in democratic life and decision-making processes at the local, national, and EU levels.
• Examples of Funded Activities:
  • Establishing child participation mechanisms (youth councils, advisory boards, online platforms).
  • Implementing training programs for children on advocacy, democratic rights, and media literacy.
  • Supporting collaborations between children and policymakers to co-develop policies and initiatives.
  • Facilitating public campaigns that promote children’s right to participate in decision-making.

Priority 3: Embedding a Child Rights Perspective in Policies

• Goal: Strengthen child rights integration across governmental policies and institutional frameworks at national and local levels.
• Examples of Funded Activities:
  • Developing, monitoring, and evaluating national and local strategies on children’s rights.
  • Collecting and analyzing data to improve evidence-based policymaking for child welfare.
  • Creating training programs for policymakers, educators, and social workers on children’s rights.
  • Developing child-friendly budgeting tools to track government spending on child protection.

Expected Impact

Projects funded under this call should achieve:

• Increased awareness and exercise of children’s rights (including online rights).
• Better protection of children in the digital space and public life.
• Increased democratic participation of children in policymaking.
• Improved governance and policy frameworks integrating children’s rights at national and local levels.
• Stronger child protection measures in projects working directly with children.

Child Protection and Ethics Requirements

• Organizations working directly with children must have a Child Protection Policy (CPP) that aligns with the Keeping Children Safe Child Safeguarding Standards.
• Proposals must include gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory approaches.
• Applicants should conduct a gender impact analysis to ensure that activities do not reinforce inequalities.

Application Process

• Proposals must be submitted electronically through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
• The submission package must include:
  • Application Form (Part A and B)
  • Detailed budget table
  • Child Protection Policy (if applicable)
  • Letters of support from public authorities (for Priority 1 and 2 applicants)
  • Declaration of honor

More information and application link: CERV-2025-CHILD