Introduction

The aim of this call is to support integrated and multidisciplinary child-centred approaches to child victims of violence in line with Directive 2012/29/EU to contribute to better reporting, investigation, treatment, follow-up and judicial involvement in cases of violence against children. Proposals shall complement the efforts of the EU in the area of rights of the child and child protection, and contribute to integrated child protection systems. To this end, proposals should be carried out in line with the 10 Principles for integrated child protection systems, and proposals should describe how their project implements the principles.

Priority

This call will fund activities for two priorities. Project proposals must specify whether one or both of the sub-priorities is/are addressed:

Priority 1: mutual learning, exchange of good practices, capacity-building to design and adapt proven children's house models to the national context, multi-agency collaboration and protocols (e.g. police, prosecutors, judges, social workers, child protection authorities, health, mental health and education services). Activities can be foreseen to include capacitybuilding on particular areas of the children's house model, such as medical exams and evaluations, joint investigative interviews, victim therapy, family counselling/support, as well as education training and research. All projects must aim to foster cooperation at local, regional, and national level among child protection professionals and agencies. Development of integrated and targeted strategies to enhance multi-disciplinary and interagency cooperation between relevant actors providing support to victims, including in the fields of health, education, employment and social assistance.

Priority 2: capacity building, education and awareness-raising for stakeholders. This can include capacity building and awareness-raising for professionals and other adults who come into regular contact with children and are the first points of contact for (potential) (child) victims of violence so that they: are aware of child safeguarding standards and the role and mandate of national interagency and multidisciplinary child-centred approaches to child victims; can better assess risks and meet the specific needs of child victims, in particular by signposting them to integrated multidisciplinary specialist support services (such as children's houses). The target group is thus likely to include: professionals and other adults in the education, health, sports and leisure, child protection/welfare, parents/caregivers, alternative/corporate care, law enforcement and justice sectors, child helplines and hotlines, etc.

All proposals must aim to ensure a child-friendly response to violence against children that is interagency, multidisciplinary, comprehensive and, where possible, under one roof (Barnahus/children's house model).

Eligible activities

This call aims to fund targeted, practical projects ensuring maximum tangible and demonstrable benefits and impact on the lives of child victims. All projects should not only develop a sound methodology using recognised existing good practice or tried and tested intervention models but consist of a large proportion of practical implementation measures and outcomes, ultimately to improve children's experience of the justice and child protection systems. Activities such as the development of materials, the mapping of existing materials or research should be, at most, minor components of project proposals. All proposals are expected to respect the child's right to participate and be aligned with Article 24 of the Charter, relevant EU law and the UN Convention on the rights of the child. The child's right to be heard must be an integral part of all project activities.

Eligible applicants

Applicants and partners must be legally constituted non-profit public or private organisations, or international organisations.

Eligible countries

The applicant and partners must be based in the EU Member States and Iceland.

Partnership criteria

The application must be transnational and involve organisations from at least three participating countries.

Project duration

The duration of a project cannot exceed 24 months.

Funding

The grant cannot be lower than 75.000 Euro and cannot cover more than 80% of overall eligible project costs.

More_information_at http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/rec/topics/rec-rdap-chil-ag- 2016.html