Baltic-Nordic Network for Child Participation Advocacy

It has been an ongoing challenge for Baltic states to enable child participation inclusively and therefore children’s involvement is often rather formal and ostensible. Children from Baltic states currently feel that they lack influence and there are not enough child-friendly mechanisms to participate. 

Addressing these challenges was the reason to develop a Baltic-Nordic Network for Child Participation Advocacy that emphasizes the importance of children’s rights and inclusive decision-making processes.  Recognizing the importance of involving children in decision-making, Baltic civil society organizations seek to learn from Nordic countries renowned for their sustainable and dynamic child participation practices. Through the network, civil society organizations from 5 partnering countries aim to enhance children’s influence by improving and fostering inclusive mechanisms and promoting their rights. Ultimately, the project seeks to create a more inclusive, interconnected region where children’s voices are valued and considered in decision-making processes, benefiting both Baltic and Nordic societies. 

Objectives 

• Increase the influence of children and young people in shaping societies. 
• Transnational exchange of expertise and establishment of sustainable network between the Baltic and Nordic civil society and authorities in the aim of improving child participation. 
• Equip relevant actors from Baltic societies with the knowledge, attitudes, skills and confidence to ensure meaningful and inclusive child participation in Baltic states. 
• Improve and develop children’s participatory structures to better implement UN CRC article 12 in a future through international collaboration on strengths-based approach with Nordic countries. 

Project partners: 

• Estonian Union for Child Welfare (Estonia) 
• Latvian Network for Child Welfare (Latvia) 
• Save the Children (Lithuania) 
• The Central Union for Child Welfare (Finland) 

Urban Climate Adaptation in the Nordics – EIT Urban MobilityProject “Baltic-Nordic network for Child Participation Advocacy” (PROF-25-41) is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Prosperous Future Programme for Civil Society Cooperation in the Region.