Save the Children Europe

One in five* children in Europe face some form of sexual violence, including online. From 2005 to 2020, we’ve seen a 15,000% increase in the amount of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) reported**. This isn’t just a global issue; a significant portion of this material is hosted here, in the EU. Children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment – both online and offline. They need urgent legislative solutions that would prevent and combat child sexual abuse. This includes a strong child sexual abuse regulation, actively discussed and negotiated in EU institutions since 2022. As part of this work within Save the Children, on the 16th of October, MEP F. Javier Zarzalejos Nieto and Save the Children Europe organised an event on child online safety. One message stood out: “In all decisions, consider the best interests of the child.” A young advocate from Save the Children European Child Advisory Board shared this, emphasising the importance of prioritising children’s safety—especially in digital spaces. Thank you to our host, MEP Zarzalejos, to Emilio Puccio for moderating the event and to all speakers and participants for making the discussion so insightful and constructive. Children need a digital environment that is safe, enriching, and free from fear. Policymakers need to listen to the voices and experiences of children and to ensure EU policies reflect children's needs. * Council of Europe data https://lnkd.in/d5kfJ4FE ** https://lnkd.in/d4qDd5y7

London, Tokyo, Stockholm, Rome and many more. The UNIQLO x Magnum Photos global photography exhibition – PEACE FOR ALL – has reached more than ten countries so far🌟 Expressing a wish for global peace, the exhibition captures the lives of children in Ukraine, Vietnam and Ethiopia. Federica Toscano, Senior Advocacy Advisor, Children on the Move, Save the Children Europe, said: “The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has forced countless children to leave behind everything they know. In times of crisis, providing not just shelter but also emotional and educational support is crucial for their well-being and future. Save the Children’s counselling hubs offer a safe space where children can heal, learn, and rediscover a sense of normalcy.” UNIQLO’s PEACE FOR ALL charity T-shirt project, supports Save the Children International, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Plan International. UNIQLO and Save the Children have been working together since 2022. Through the PEACE FOR ALL initiative, we’ve supported and will continue to support children globally affected by conflict and emergencies. Explore the exhibition➡️ https://lnkd.in/gMfwkApb

We’re inspired by our advocate Mirriam, who recently joined EU Special Envoy for Climate, Tony Agotha, in high-level climate discussions as part of a one-day takeover, as part of the European Week of Action for Girls (EWAG). 🌍 She engaged in strategic meetings with EU officials and climate representatives from all 27 member states, calling for climate action that centers on girls’ rights and justice. 🎥 Watch the video to hear her insights and recommendations for a sustainable future shaped by young voices. A big thank you to Tony Agotha and the European External Action Service for this incredible opportunity!

What if your only way to safety was filled with danger, uncertainty and impossible choices? Last Thursday, Save the Children Europe brought the harsh realities faced by children and families at European borders to the steps of the European Parliament. Together with Federate Agency, we launched a powerful activation: “The Border Game: Not Child’s Play”. This life-sized game-like installation is not what it appears to be—and it is certainly not a game. It is designed to shed light on the dangerous and often deadly realities that migrant and refugee children face when seeking asylum in Europe. This immersive experience aims to highlight the consequences of the European Union’s flawed—and at times, cruel—migration system, emphasizing how these dangers should be addressed as the EU prepares to implement new migration law. We are grateful to MEPs Cecilia Strada, Alessandra Moretti, and Damien Careme, who along with colleagues and passersby, joined the launch of our campaign. They stepped into the shoes of children like Aisha, Omar, and the Ilunga family, experiencing firsthand the terrifying realities, but also the resilience and courage these children must find to survive. The game brought to life what statistics alone couldn’t: these children are not just numbers – behind every name is a human being with dreams and hopes for the future. We thank all child rights champions in the European Parliament for taking part in this important launch. A special thank you to MEP Cecilia Strada for hosting our event, "Ensuring a child rights compliant implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum", which followed the launch. Stay tuned and keep an eye out for our next actions as we continue to use the Border Game to raise awareness and advocate for change in how European authorities respect the rights of migrants at borders. Every child, everywhere, deserves to grow up safe and supported. Photo credits: Camille Delbos

What happens when 80+ Save the Children colleagues and child advocates from over 16 countries gather in Brussels for two weeks? You get innovation, collaboration and action — for and with children! As we wrap up these past two intensive yet impactful weeks, here’s a look at some of the inspiring moments: 📌 Save the Children colleagues working on international partnerships met to brainstorm ways to strengthen partnerships and improve our impact for children. 📌 Child advocates from the Philippines and Zambia visited Brussels to meet with EU decision-makers during the European Week of Action for Girls. 📌 Members of the European and International Child Advisory Boards met face-to-face for the first time charting new paths in child advocacy. 📌 Colleagues working on domestic programmes, advocacy and fundraising came together to address child poverty, online safety, and migration during the pan-European meeting, setting ambitious plans in motion for 2025. 📌 We capped the week with public events focusing on child rights online, poverty and migration, including the launch of a powerful “Border Game” campaign. As Europe enters a new political term and a new engagement cycle begins, moments like these are so important for sparking new ideas, identifying opportunities for collaboration and advancing our advocacy efforts — within Save the Children, with EU institutions and beyond. To everyone who participated, supported and contributed — thank you! Although the road ahead for organisations like ours may seem daunting at times, the passion, energy, and motivation of #TeamSave — and the unwavering support of the children and communities we serve — will carry us far!

How does the EU fare in being an ally for girls around the world? International Day of the Girl (#IDG2024) is the perfect opportunity for us all to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that girls not only exist but thrive. As we approach a new EU mandate, it is the right moment to assess how EU institutions have supported girls' rights in recent years. This is the question that the analysis from the European Week of Action for Girls coalition seeks to answer. Our report focuses on five key components:   1⃣ Youth participation in EU processes   2⃣ Ending gender-based violence (#GBV)   3⃣ Sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR)   4⃣ Education   5⃣ Funding  We identified several successes, including the adoption of the EU Youth Action Plan and the Gender Action Plan III, the recognition of #SRHR as essential for safe and healthy lives, and commitments to increase funding for girls' education. However, there is more to be done. While the EU aims to allocate 85% of new external actions to gender equality by 2025, support for women's rights organisations is currently less than 0.5% of total #ODA. Moreover, there is no effective tracking mechanism for funding dedicated to girls' rights. The EU must continue to champion girls' rights on the global stage. This is only possible by meaningfully involving young women and girls in decision-making, and mobilising adequate financial resources to turn commitments into actions. Full assessment: https://lnkd.in/eAuAm6Zr] #EU4Girls

Today, on #WorldMentalHealthDay, we are reminded that the invisible wounds of war are often the hardest to heal, especially for children. In #Gaza, every child will likely need psychological support to overcome the trauma of conflict. No child should ever have to live through the violence and terror of war. At Save the Children, we are committed to protecting children's mental well-being. Since October 2023, we’ve reached 60,000 people in #Lebanon, including 25,000 children, providing essential mental health services to help them cope with the psychological toll of this crisis. But the work doesn’t stop there. We need action. We call for an immediate and definitive ceasefire to protect these children’s futures. Ursula von der Leyen, the time for peace is now.

🌍 We are proud to announce Save the Children's partnership with the European Climate Pact! The climate crisis is a child rights crisis. Through this partnership, Save the Children is taking meaningful action to safeguard the future of children around the world. Together, we are amplifying the voices of communities, raising awareness, and driving solutions to ensure that children grow up in a sustainable, safe, and healthy environment. 💪 This partnership empowers local leaders and changemakers across Europe to put children at the heart of climate action. By addressing the climate crisis, we are working to protect the most vulnerable from the devastating impacts of extreme weather, food insecurity, and displacement. Our collaboration with the European Climate Pact is about making a lasting difference—not just for the planet, but for every child’s future. 🌱 At Save the Children, we know that building resilient communities today means creating a better world for our children tomorrow. Together, we’re building a movement that tackles the climate crisis head-on and ensures that children everywhere can thrive.

Children are paying the price for the conflict in the Middle East. The escalation of violence is claiming the lives of innocent children. While governments profit from weapon sales, they are risking complicity in violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. It’s time for the EU and its member states to take urgent action: 🔴 Calls for an immediate ceasefire to stop the conflict from escalating further across the region.  🔴 Stop the transfer of weapons, parts, and ammunition to all parties involved. 🔴 Prioritize the protection of children and respect for international law. The future of too many children is at stake—now is the time to act decisively.

Flowers, shells, leaves, and paper clips. Children from Indonesia, Syria, and Ukraine have created photo montages to show what is most important to them, marking 100 years of global recognition of child rights. For Elin, 15, from West Sumba, it’s the ocean she loves and wants to protect. Her collage, made with sand and shells, reflects her hopes for a world where every child can access clean water and breathe fresh air. 🌊🌿 For Shehab*, 16, from Syria, it’s the right to education and safety. Her creation speaks of resilience, of being stronger than the challenges life throws at her, and her dream for a world without war or bullying. 🎓💪 For Marko*, 8, from Ukraine, it’s the friends he left behind and the hope to one day travel the world with his mother by his side. His artwork symbolizes strength, love, and the desire to rebuild what’s been lost. 🚢💙 At Save the Children Europe, we’re amplifying these voices, advocating for climate action, equality, and access to education across EU institutions. Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and we’re working alongside them to turn their dreams into reality. 👉 Find out more about this creative, child-led project and how we’re making an impact across Europe in our press release: https://lnkd.in/dA7qSKQ6 Photo Credit Line Ulet Ifansasti / Jendry / Save the Children