Our Impact
Our reach in numbers
Since its establishment in 2023, CYFGP has expanded its reach across countries, institutions and communities, helping bring children's and young people's perspectives into policy and decision-making processes.
21,000+
children and young people engaged
90+
countries reached
50+
established partnerships
From meaningful participation in decision-making to lasting change
Our work contributes to four interconnected areas of change:
Stronger systems and institutions
We support organisations and governments in embedding meaningful participation into governance, policies and everyday practice
Palestine | Translating children's priorities into municipal decision-making
In collaboration with UNICEF, the CYFGP supported Ramallah Municipality in strengthening child and youth participation in municipal decision-making through participatory research and the co-creation of its first child and youth participation strategy, handbook and safeguarding policy.
The Right to Childhood UK | Building the foundations for organisation-wide participation
CYFGP supported Right to Childhood UK in translating its commitment to child and youth participation into practice across its governance, programmes and partnerships. This included developing an organisation-wide participation strategy and empowering staff to effectively embed and facilitate meaningful participation by children and young people in decision-making.
DigiPulse | Embedding participation into international research
CYFGP supported the London School of Economics' Digital Futures Commission and its research partners in embedding safe and meaningful child participation into the methodology for DigiPulse, a multi-partner, international research project on smartphones and children's mental health, through participation and safeguarding frameworks, practical tools and capacity-building workshops.
Stronger capacities
We build the knowledge, skills and confidence of professionals to facilitate meaningful participation, and of children and young people to participate actively, through tailored training, practical tools and mentoring.
Switzerland | Strengthening democratic participation and youth leadership
The youth-facilitated Your Voice Counts (Ta voix compte) workshop trained 26 children and young people to lead community workshops on participation rights and democratic engagement. Participants rated the programme 4.7/5, with 85% feeling ready to replicate the approach.
Ireland | Making children's rights practical for public servants nationwide
In partnership with Ireland’s Department of Children, Disability and Equality, CYFGP developed a national online learning course to help public servants apply children’s rights in everyday work. Informed by consultations with public institutions, civil society, children and young people, the course provides practical guidance across sectors and makes learning resources available to public servants nationwide.
European Union | Bringing children's priorities into European policymaking
Ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections, CYFGP collaborated with ChildFund Alliance, Eurochild, Save the Children, SOS Children's Villages and UNICEF to support children's participation in discussions about the future of the European Union. A dedicated Child Advisory Group helped develop children’s perspectives and priorities for these discussions.
Platforms and opportunities to influence decisions
We work with organisations and governments to create platforms and opportunities for safe, inclusive and representative participation, while supporting children and young people to share their lived experiences, shape recommendations and present them directly to decision-makers.
Global | Bringing children's perspectives into international AI governance
As part of a multi-organisation initiative, CYFGP led the global Me&AI consultations, engaging more than 1,100 children aged 10–17 across 49 countries. The resulting ‘AI & Us’ report brought children’s perspectives and recommendations into international AI governance discussions, including the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, AI for Good Global Summit and UN General Assembly side-events.
Europe | Bringing children’s perspectives into EU digital safety policy
As part of the European Commission’s evaluation of its Better Internet for Kids+ strategy, CYFGP facilitated focus groups with more than 50 children aged 6–17 across Europe. Their experiences of online safety, screen time, age verification and digital literacy contributed to the evidence informing the Commission’s evaluation and discussions on future digital polic
Global | Advancing recognition of children's right to play
CYFGP supported a global coalition of UN agencies, civil society and business advocating for greater recognition of children's right to play, facilitating consultations with more than 10,000 children and young people across over 40 countries. A Child and Youth Advisory Group developed The Power of Play report and presented their recommendations to governments, international organisations, and businesses. The campaign led to the UN General Assembly's recognition of 11 June as the International Day of Play in 2024.
Spain and the European Union | Bringing children's priorities to the Spanish EU Presidency
In collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Social Affairs and Agenda 2030, UNICEF Spain and Plataforma de Infancia, CYFGP led EU-wide consultations and facilitated a Child Advisory Group representing ten countries. Drawing on children’s concerns about education, employment, conflict, mental health and climate change, the group developed recommendations for EU decision-makers, helping bring children’s priorities into the Spanish EU Presidency.
Stronger evidence, research and learning
We conduct impact research and evaluations to improve governance, policy and practice, building evidence on what enables meaningful participation and creates sustainable results. We work with children and young people to shape methodologies, analyse findings and develop recommendations.
Global | Strengthening research on children’s evolving capacities
CYFGP’s Child and Youth Advisory Board helped shape the research questions, methods and tools for a participatory study led by Queen’s University Belfast, informing UNICEF Innocenti’s report Growing with Rights. Their contribution helped ground the evidence in children’s experiences of how their capacities are recognised and supported in everyday decisions.
United States | Turning research into strategic direction for local governance
CYFGP worked with UNICEF USA to examine the impact of child rights-based and participatory approaches on policy development, budgeting and service delivery in the US and globally, identifying promising practices and lessons learned. The research informed strategic recommendations for strengthening responsive and accountable local governance through child-friendly approaches in the US.
Palestine | Connecting participatory research with municipal policy and practice
Through the ACoRN initiative, CYFGP worked with University College Cork, UNICEF Palestine and children and young people in Ramallah to explore their experiences, priorities and opportunities for participation in local decision-making. The findings informed practical guidance and tools for involving children in policy development, service design and research, connecting children’s experiences with institutional practice.
Interested in working with us?
Get in touch to explore opportunities for collaboration and shared impact.
info@childfriendlygovernance.org