ChildFund Alliance European Union Office

Advancing children’s rights at the European Union

Based in Brussels, the EU Office engages with EU institutions, European and global donors, policymakers, networks and partners to influence and shape legislative, policy, programming and budgeting processes in order to advance children’s rights, while expanding access to EU and global funding.

Established in 2014, the EU Office connects global evidence, local realities and children’s voices with European decisions and policies that shape children’s lives worldwide.

The EU Office team works in close alignment with the Secretariat in New York, which leads the Alliance’s daily operations, sets common standards and policies, and coordinates global advocacy. The EU Office Team collaborates with members across Europe and worldwide to ensure that children’s rights remain at the center of development, humanitarian, and climate action.

Strategy 2030 Priorities: Championing Child Rights in a Changing World

1. Keep ending violence against children on the global agenda up to and beyond 2030.

2. Enhancing our humanitarian impact and ensuring children’s rights and protection are not sidelined in crisis response and recovery. 

3. Positioning climate change as a defining child rights issue and ensuring children and youth are seen as central to sustainable solutions.

Why our Presence in Brussels Matters

The European Union is one of the world’s largest providers of development and humanitarian funding and a leading global actor shaping policies that affect children’s safety, wellbeing and future opportunities.

Maintaining a dedicated presence in Brussels enables ChildFund Alliance to ensure that children’s rights are reflected in European decision-making and translated into meaningful action worldwide. 

Working closely with EU institutions, European partners, and civil society, the EU Office focuses on three interconnected priorities:

Advancing policy and advocacy: Influencing EU and European policies, programmes, partnerships and investments to strengthen the protection, rights and long-term wellbeing of children.

Mobilising resources for impact: Expanding access to EU and European funding that enables ChildFund Alliance members and partners to deliver programmes for children, particularly in fragile and crisis-affected contexts.

Strengthening visibility and influence: Elevating children’s voices, evidence and lived experiences within European and global policy spaces to help shape more inclusive and effective decisions. Being seen and heard where critical global decisions are made ensures that children are not only considered—but prioritised.

Advocacy and Influence in Action

Through the EU Office, ChildFund Alliance collaborates with EU institutions, European and global donors and policymakers, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations and civil society networks to help ensure children’s rights remain central to the EU’s external action—across both development and emergency response.

Our contribution includes:

  • Informing European policy dialogue on children’s rights, protection and wellbeing.
  • Supporting access to EU funding that enables programmes for children in fragile and crisis-affected settings.
  • Amplifying children’s voices and lived experiences in European decision-making spaces.

“Being present in Brussels ensures that children’s realities and voices are heard where critical global decisions are shaped.” Meg Gardinier, Secretary General, ChildFund Alliance

Regional Coalitions and Partnerships

Children’s Rights Action Group (CRAG): A coalition of NGOs working to make children’s rights a priority across the EU’s (internal and external) agenda and supporting the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights.

CONCORD: The European confederation of relief and development NGOs and the primary interlocutor with EU institutions on development policy, most importantly on the EU’s upcoming 7-year Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Joining Forces: An alliance of the six largest child-focused international NGOs (ChildFund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes, World Vision) united to end violence against children and realise the rights of every child.

VOICE: The largest European humanitarian NGO network and the main NGO interlocutor with the EU on emergency response and humanitarian action.

ChildFund Alliance in Europe and Partnership Opportunities

ChildFund Alliance’s 10 members work collectively across Europe and globally, and partner with European institutions, civil society organisations and donors to strengthen policies, mobilise resources and deliver meaningful, lasting impact for children.  

We welcome collaboration with partners committed to advancing children’s rights and wellbeing worldwide.

Connect with the EU Office to explore partnership, policy engagement or EU-funded collaboration opportunities:

Address: ChildFund Alliance EU Office, Rue de l’Arbre Bénit 44, 1050 Brussels, Belgium