EU Rights of the Child Newsletter No 2bis of 2018- update (2 March 2018)
date: 23/02/2018
Contents
EU FUNDING NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
9. Public consultation on EU funds in the areas of security and migration -deadline: 08.03.2018
10.Compilation of previously-funded REC projects updated 3 February 2018
OTHER EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEWS
12. Migration and home affairs - EMN country fact sheets - SWD(2017) 286 final
14. Data on children in migration – new Eurostat folder on children
17. Eurostat - asylum quarterly report. Data as of 12.12.2017
18. Compilation of data on children in migration – latest update
NEWS FROM OTHER EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES
20. 7.2.2018 - Resolution on zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM)
22. 8.02.2018 - Resolution on child slavery in Haïti
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
28.February 2018 - Current migration situation in the EU: impact on local communities
29.February 2018 - Migration to the EU: five persistent challenges
30.2017 - Together in the EU - promoting the participation of migrants and their descendants
31.December 2017 – Migration overview report (including child protection)
32.June 2017 - European legal and policy framework on immigration detention of children
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
34.Subscribing to the newsletter
EU FUNDING NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
1.Call for proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children - deadline for proposals: 13.11.2018
30.01.2018 Opening date for submissions: 8.03.2018. Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/rec/topics/rec-rdap-gbv-ag-2018.html
There are five funding priorities:
- Prevention of gender-based violence (GBV): The focus of this priority is on primary prevention, in particular changing social norms and behavior, in order to end tolerance of all forms of gender-based violence
- Protection and support for victims and witnesses (including children) of domestic violence, including through tackling under-reporting, promoting multi-disciplinary cooperation, and capacity building for relevant professionals
- The coordination and/or adaptation of support services for sexual and gender-based violence to include refugees and migrants (children, women, LGBTI persons, men and boys), in particular to ensure their recovery from such trauma
- Prevention and responding to cyber sexual- and gender-based violence (targeting children, women, LGBTI persons, men and boys), such as revenge porn, extortion with the use of sexual imagery ("sextortion"), sexual or gendered online harassment/bullying, grooming, etc.
- Promoting the embedding of child safeguarding policies across different settings and sectors, such as sports clubs and organisations, extra-curricular activities and/or leisure/recreation clubs/organisations for children (including faith/church-led; scouts and girl guides, private schools), both as a means to protect and safeguard children as well as to equip staff with the necessary training and guidance.
Projects may be national or transnational and eligible countries are EU Member States and Iceland. Please read the call carefully and disseminate to anyone you know who may be interested.
30.01.2018 - Opening date for submissions: 30.01.2018 - Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/rec/topics/rec-rchi-prof-ag-2018.html
Priorities of the projects are to support capacity building of professionals working for and with children on the rights of the child and child protection: project activities shall focus on putting in place robust national or regional integrated mechanisms to support children ageing out of/leaving alternative care and they shall encompass a strong child participation component (in project conception and design/empowerment of children/the child’s right to be heard/children’s involvement in reviewing service delivery)
Projects may be national or transnational and eligible countries are EU Member States and Iceland. Please read the call carefully and disseminate to anyone you know who may be interested. This call is also in the context of integrated child protection systems.
3 NEW: 6.2.2018 - Call for proposals - Quality alternative care for children and de-institutionalisation (external to the EU) – deadline: 27.03.2018
Published on 6 February 2018. Action to take place in third countries.
This new EU call aims at better implementation of the UN's guidelines on alternative care of children. The call has four specific objectives:
- Enabling governments to provide and take control of quality alternative care provision to children who are deprived of parental care and/or
- Regulating and monitoring the quality of the alternative care solutions provided to children who are deprived of parental care and/or
- Supporting the transition from institutional to community-based care and
- Preventing the unnecessary separation of children from their families.
Funding opportunity under the Horizon 2020 Programme – Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/topics/migration-05-2018-2020.html
Under the Horizon 2020, under the societal challenges pillar there is an open call, on integration of refugee and migrant children, to ease the education system challenges that may face by the cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity as well as socio-economic inequalities of pupils. The call is open for proposals that generate data and policy recommendations for integration in schools of pupils, including children on migration, refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, including those residing in hotspots and reception centres. The proposals may also have an integrated approach, including on how access to adequate housing, a decent standard of living and protection from all forms of abuse and exploitation, healthcare and psychosocial support, alternative pedagogical approaches and arts affect successful integration in schools. Refugee and migrant children participation is required.
5. Call for proposals – Asylum, migration and integration fund (AMIF)-2017-AG-INFO to support awareness raising and information campaigns on the risks of irregular migration in selected third-countries - deadline: 5.04.2018
Published on 12.12.2017. Opening date 12.12.2017. Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/amif/topics/amif-2017-ag-info.html
This Call for Proposals aims at funding projects of information and awareness-raising campaigns in the area of migration in Algeria, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Ivory Coast, Niger, Mali, Morocco, Senegal or Tunisia [1], aiming at preventing irregular migration and, in particular, migrant smuggling and trafficking of human beings, as defined in the AMIF Annual Work Programme for 2017. The general objective of the present Call for Proposal is to contribute to the change of perceptions and behaviour of third country nationals pondering irregularly migrating to the EU and key influencers of their decisions. The goal of this Call for Proposals is to support projects that pursue the following specific objectives:
- to provide trusted, factual, balanced information on the risks of irregular migration – during the journey (dangers of migrating irregularly) and after arrival (hardship of living in the EU irregularly and return), as well as on relevant legal alternatives of migration and on economic opportunities of staying in the country of origin;
- to empower credible voices in countering migrant smugglers' narratives on irregular migration and the diasporas' narratives on living irregularly in the EU;
- to strengthen multi-stakeholder cooperation between actors such as civil society organisations, researchers, media outlets, local state actors, diaspora and where relevant other stakeholders;
- to enhance the sustainability of communication activities and results of the campaign.
Transnational projects and seeking EU co-funding equal to or more than 250. 000 € - Total budget: 8 million € - Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/other_eu_prog/other/home/call-fiche/isfp-call-fiche-2017-ag-cyber_en.pdf
Project applications must address at least one of the following priorities in the areas of cybercrime (including fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment) and child sexual exploitation (with specific focus on victim identification and countering travelling child sex offenders):
- Developing capacity and expertise of law enforcement and judicial authorities. This includes, for instance, the development of investigative and forensics tools to address the challenges posed by the use of encryption by criminals and its impact on criminal investigations and supporting law enforcement authorities' engagement in the area of Internet governance;
- Fostering cross-border cooperation among law enforcement and judicial authorities. This includes, for instance, the setting up of mechanisms facilitating swift access to seized evidence or intelligence (or both) across borders;
- Fostering cross-border cooperation between law enforcement/judicial authorities and private entities. This includes, for instance, the establishment of mechanisms supporting public-private cooperation.
A call of proposals is open under the AMIF Programme: AMIF-2017-AG-INTE on integration of third-country nationals. - Link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/amif/calls/amif-2017-ag-inte.html#c,topics=callIdentifier/t/AMIF-2017-AG-INTE/1/1/1/default-group&callStatus/t/Forthcoming/1/1/0/default-group&callStatus/t/Open/1/1/0/default-group&callStatus/t/Closed/1/1/0/default-group&+identifier/desc
It covers different topics:
- AMIF-2017-AG-INTE-01: Raising Awareness on migrant's contribution to EU societies
- AMIF-2017-AG-INTE-02: Community Building at local level for integration including through volunteering activities
- AMIF-2017-AG-INTE-03: Pre-departure and post-arrival support for the integration of persons in need of international protection who are resettled from a third country including through volunteering activities
- AMIF-2017-AG-INTE-04: Promote swift integration of third country nationals into the labour market through strengthened cooperation and mobilisation of employers and social and economic partners
- AMIF-2017-AG-INTE-05: Integration of victims of trafficking in human beings
We would encourage any of you interested in, or who have previously benefited from EU funding on rights of the child, violence against children or justice to contribute to this.
In 2018, the Commission will make comprehensive proposals for the next generation of financial programmes for the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, which is the EU's long–term budget. The Commission's proposals aim to make it possible for the EU to deliver on the things that matter most, in areas where it can achieve more than Member States acting alone. This requires a careful assessment both of what has worked well in the past and what could be improved in the future. This consultation is an integral part of the process and its objective is to collect the views of all interested parties on how to make the most of every euro of the EU budget.
Consultations have taken place in the context of evaluations of existing EU financial programmes covering several policy areas, including on current performance and future challenges. The views expressed by stakeholders in these consultations will be taken into account as part of the current process for the future Multiannual Financial Framework.
Published on 10.01.2018. To know more and submit your response, please follow the link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/public-consultation-eu-funds-area-values-and-mobility_en
9.Public consultation on EU funds in the areas of security and migration -deadline: 08.03.2018
As these funds cover children in migration, trafficking and child sexual abuse and exploitation, please contribute if you can.
- Public consultation on EU funds in the area of security: https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/eu-funds-area-security_en
- Public consultation on EU funds in the area of migration: https://ec.europa.eu/info/consultations/eu-funds-area-migration-and-asylum_en
10.Compilation of previously-funded REC projects updated 3 February 2018
The new version updated on 3 February 2018 is now online: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/fundamental-rights/files/rights_child/compilation_previously_funded_projects_rights_of_the_child_and_violence_against_children.pdf
OTHER EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEWS
The midterm review takes stock of the progress since the launch of the EU framework for national Roma integration strategies (NRISs) in 2011. It is based on data on how the situation of Roma have changed and input from national authorities, civil society and other partners. The review confirms the added value of the framework, the relevance of EU Roma integration goals and the continued need for a combination of targeted and mainstream approaches.
12.Migration and home affairs - EMN country fact sheets - SWD(2017) 286 final
Summary of the main developments in 2016 in all Member States and Norway presenting an overview of the most recent migration and international protection-related statistics. Link: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/networks/european_migration_network/reports/factsheets_en
A study of national policies, 2017. Link: https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/c680a1b0-9171-11e7-b92d-01aa75ed71a1
14.Data on children in migration – new Eurostat folder on children
To make children more visible in data already collected, Eurostat has created a dedicated node on statistics on "Migrant children' and the first data sets are published. It located under cross-cutting topics in Eurostat database jointly with Migrant integration indicators following the link: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database
15.NEW: 19 February 2018 – Eurostat - access to social services, in particular to formal childcare services
Almost 4 in 10 children in the EU receive formal childcare services, the 29% paying full or reduced price and 10% using cost free services. The uptake of paid services is similar in urban, suburban and rural areas, but some more difference for cost free services among the areas.
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/8681785/3-20022018-AP-EN.pdf/59fcfaa7-0c72-48a6-8603-899b5b730773
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/news/themes-in-the-spotlight/asylum-Q3-2017
17.Eurostat - asylum quarterly report. Data as of 12.12.2017
Asylum data. Link: http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report
18.Compilation of data on children in migration – latest update
Link to last update: www.ec.europa.eu/newsroom/document.cfm?doc_id=40299
Link: http://ec.europa.eu/transparency/regexpert/index.cfm?do=calls.calls_for_app
NEWS FROM OTHER EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS AND AGENCIES
20.7.2.2018 - Resolution on zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM)
Resolution number R(2017/2936 (RSP)). - Link: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P8-TA-2018-0033&language=EN&ring=B8-2018
The Resolution reinforces the need for prevention of this form of violence, urges the Commission and Member States to include FGM prevention measures in all policy areas (including health, social work, education, justice, etc.), to step up cross-sector cooperation and to help build bridges between organisations working with communities, and urges EU Member States which have not ratified the Istanbul Convention to do so in order to have an integrated approach on preventing and combating FGM.
Resolution number (2017/2937(RSP)). Link: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P8-TA-2018-0032&language=EN&ring=B8-2018-0064
The European Parliament adopted this resolution urging at combating discrimination against autochthonous, national and linguistic minorities, considering it to be a national and EU responsibility. It lists some challenges still to be addressed in the field, and it encourages the Commission to combat LGBTI discrimination and homophobia with some target actions such making information on the recognition of cross-border rights for LGBTI persons and their families in the EU accessible and investing in providing targeted education at different stages in order to prevent bullying and combat homophobia in a structured manner.
22.8.02.2018 - Resolution on child slavery in Haïti
The study provides information, analysis and recommendations regarding future EU policy developments on the protection of children in the digital age, identifying recent policy developments at EU level, evaluating existing EU initiatives and instruments and recommendations. Link: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2018/617454/IPOL_IDA(2018)617454_EN.pdf
http://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-12913-2017-INIT/en/pdf
"Asylum and migration
13. The Council recognises the need to respect the fundamental rights of migrants, persons seeking asylum, refugees and persons eligible for subsidiary protection even in the face of pressing challenges in the areas of migration and asylum. The Council agrees that EU and national actions should particularly take into account the serious risks of abuse and exploitation, for example by smugglers and human traffickers, with women and children facing greater risks of violence and discrimination.
c) Rights of the child
14. The Council highlights the importance of the protection of children and respect for the principle of the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in all actions affecting children.
15. The Council underlines that cooperation and dialogue with stakeholders are key to ensure the respect of children’s rights, and notably through the exchange of good practices, which should be further developed. It recalls the Annual Forum on the rights of the child, the informal Member States expert group on the rights of the child as well as the Commission’s initiative to establish a European guardianship network. "
Opinion of Advocate General Bot. Case C-550/16 A, s. V Staatssecretaris van Veiligheid en Justitie.
You can read the full opinion here: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:62016CC0550&from=EN#Footnote1
Conclusion of the Opinion of the Advocate General Bot: "A third country national or stateless person under the age of 18 who arrives on the territory of a Member State unaccompanied by an adult responsible for him by law or custom, who applies for asylum, then, during the procedure, attains the age of majority before being granted asylum, with retroactive effect to the date of the application, and subsequently applies for family reunification as granted to unaccompanied minor refugees under Article 10(3) of that directive, may be considered to be an unaccompanied minor, within the meaning of Article 2(f) of Council Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 December 2003 on the right to family reunification.
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
The report summarises the guardianship systems put in place to cater for the needs of all children in need of protection, including child victims and those at risk of becoming victims of trafficking in human beings or of other forms of exploitation, including the type of guardianship systems in place, the profile of appointed guardians, the appointment procedures and the tasks of the guardians. http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2018/guardianship-systems-children-deprived-parental-care-european-union-summary
27.2018 – Easy-to-read version of report on child-friendly justice - perspectives and experiences of children involved in judicial proceedings
FRA has recently made available an easy-to-read version of the report Child-friendly justice: Perspectives and experiences of children involved in judicial proceedings published in February 2017. The report was based on interviews of almost 400 children in five EU Member States and identified barriers children face and possible solutions and some promising practices already in use. Link to the easy-to-read version: http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2018/child-friendly-justice
28.February 2018 - Current migration situation in the EU: impact on local communities
Link: http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2018/current-migration-situation-local-communities-update
This report focuses on housing, education, the local community and social responses to persons in need of international protection. Among the main findings where that, although few trainings courses were organised for local authorities specifically to ensure fundamental rights complaint, but in cases where it was provided, they focused on vulnerable persons such as unaccompanied children. As for education, challenges and good practices were reported on, among others, specific support for asylum-seeking children.
29. February 2018 - Migration to the EU: five persistent challenges
Update on fundamental rights concerns in some EU Member States. The report covers five key challenges such as on unaccompanied children. Link: http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2018/five-persistent-migration-challenges
30.2017 - Together in the EU - promoting the participation of migrants and their descendants
Link: http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2017/migrant-participation
This report examines Member States’ integration policies and action plans for promoting their participation in society, highlighting both promising practices and shortcomings, and focusing on the importance of education for the societal integration for children, among other topics described such as non-discrimination, education, employment, language learning and political engagement.
31.December 2017 – Migration overview report (including child protection)
The report includes, among others, child protection for November 2017. Link: http://fra.europa.eu/en/theme/asylum-migration-borders/overviews/december-2017
32.June 2017 - European legal and policy framework on immigration detention of children
Link: http://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2017/child-migrant-detention
The report takes the rights of the child to protection and care as a starting point when examining the content of the right to liberty and security. It outlines the main fundamental rights safeguards provided for in EU and human rights law to prevent unlawful and arbitrary detention, including best practices and aiming to assist asylum and migration practitioners in implementing policies in line with the law.
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
You will find previous issues of the Newsletter on the rights of the child from January 2017 onwards here: http://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/just/newsletter-specific-archive.cfm?serviceId=529
34.Subscribing to the newsletter
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