BECOME Safe

The overall objective of the “Building Efforts for Children on the Move in Europe through Systemic change, Facilitation & Expertise (BECOME Safe)” project is to improve the protection of migrant children and young people victims or at risk of violence, and uphold their rights to assistance and quality victims care in the European Union.

BECOME SAFE

To achieve this, the project deploys three complementary strategies to promote systemic and sustainable improvements in the protection of children and youth on the move in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece. It does so through working hand in hand with children and young people themselves, as well as professionals in contact with them. Amongst the latter, the project specifically targets:

  • Professionals in contact with children and young people on the move in reception centers and other accommodation services (such as social workers, NGO staff, etc.)
  • Professionals in contact with children and young people victims of violence or at risk as part of national child protection services / victims support services.

Recognizing the difficulties that migrant children face to challenge and report their widespread exposure to multiple forms of violence, resulting often in the acceptance, underreporting and failure to perceive themselves as “victims” despite clear violations of their rights, the project aims to equip them with the knowledge and awareness of their right to protection and available support services, through peer-to-peer and youth-led campaigns.

To address systematic knowledge gaps amongst individuals and institutions responsible for their protection, the project will also build the capacity of professionals working with migrant children and youth victims or potential victims of violence, as well as other ‘mainstream professionals’ and child protection systems delivering victims support services’ so they can better serve the special needs of migrant children. The development of child protection protocols and referral mechanisms will be key to promote quality child-friendly services and a “culture of protection” over time.

To tackle institutional violence and fragmented child protection efforts, the project will advocate for migrant children and young people’s access to quality protection and multidisciplinary support services, leveraging key European law to lead concerted strategies that encourage coordination and collaboration between stakeholders.

The project will ensure 1,300 migrant children and youth victims or potential victims of violence are more aware of their right to protection and available support services, and 580 relevant professionals in contact with migrant children and youth victims of violence or at risk of violence have enhanced capacity and knowledge to deliver quality, tailored and specialized victims support services to migrant children and youth. In addition, long-term increased access of children and youth on the move to quality holistic assessment and support services relevant to their needs, will be secured through improving coordination and referrals amongst service providers in line with relevant national advocacy objectives in each country of intervention.

Key project activities include:

  • 4 national consultations and youth-led peer-to-peer information campaigns
  • the design of a European training curriculum and guidance on how to improve prevention and referrals of victims to child protection and support services
  • the training of 580 professionals to enhance their capacity, and that of the organizations or centers they work in
  • the coordination and exchange of learning and best practices between stakeholders as part of national concerted strategies. The tools and results from the project will be disseminated and promoted throughout Europe, through a targeted strategy and with the support of the ChildHub platform, as well as DCI’s Europe Regional Desk represented by the World Service Foundation (DCI-WS).

PARTNERS:

Defence for Children International Belgium – DCI Belgium as project lead
Defence for Children International – DCI Greece
Defence for Children International Italy – DCI Italy
Defence for Children International Spain – DCI Spain
Defence for Children International-World Service (DCI-WS)
Ordine assistenti Sociali Regione Liguria – CROAS Liguria
Terre des hommes Regional Hub for Europe – Tdh Hungary

 

FUNDED BY:

The BECOME Safe project is supported by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020).

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