Children are experts in their own lives. They have a right to participate in decisions that affect them, but too often are excluded by those in power - especially those from marginalised backgrounds. This project empowers child rights defenders in the Eurochild Children's Council (ECC) to elevate children's rights in the European Union. Over the past seven years, we have empowered 46 child rights defenders, and supporting organisations. Donations will help us organise more child-led advocacy.
There are 104 million children growing up in Europe today. That's 1 in 7 of the total population. Yet despite this reality, children are not consulted in the big decisions that affect their lives. Be it education, social, health, economic or legal matters, children's voices are excluded - especially those from marginalised communities. Children's participation cannot be a nice 'to-have' - it is a fundamental right, set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Eurochild, together with our inspiring Children's Council made up of 12 child rights defenders from 12 different European countries, aims to change that. The project works with children to co-lead on advocacy actions, train decision-makers and civil society on how to involve children in a meaningful way, and leads efforts at EU level to systematise child participation on issues that affect children's lives - including addressing poverty, reducing violence, and protecting children online.
Together, we can show that progressive and democratic-led processes can be inclusive, involve children and young people as a key demographic, not an afterthought. This is so important as we navigate as a society amidst a wider crisis of faith in democracy. People, including younger demograhpics, are turning more and more to populist and regressive politics, often fuelled by rhetorics spread irresponsibly by traditional and social media.
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