Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems

The European Commission and the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation launched a new transnational Call: ‘Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems and supporting access to the labour market for Roma NEETs’ under the European Social Fund+ Social Innovation+ initiative.

Under the Strand I “Strengthening the European Child Guarantee national governance systems”, the Call will aim to support transnational projects which aim at testing new approaches and transferring or scaling up social innovations that strengthen the governance and implementation of the European Child Guarantee, ensuring children in need have access to key services.

Applicants are encouraged to propose activities best suited to their specific context, however the following activities should be covered:

1. Identification and framing of challenges to establishing and delivering integrated service delivery models. For example, activities may include conducting a comprehensive mapping of barriers that prevent children in need from accessing key services, such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and housing.
2. Scaling up the integrated service delivery models of the ECG and improving outreach to children in need. For example, activities may include facilitating collaboration, including through the exchange of information and administrative data, engaging and bringing together key stakeholders relevant to the ECG, such as public bodies (Child Guarantee Coordinators, Child Guarantee Contact Points, or similar), social service providers, education and health providers, non-profit organisations, organisations representing children in need, professionals working with children, and private sector actors, as well as research institutions. This may also involve establishing structured cooperation mechanisms; organising joint workshops and capacity-building activities can also be envisioned.
3. Piloting integration of services on the ground for a specific target group (as mentioned in paragraph 5 of the ECG Recommendation) through testing or scaling-up a viable solution for integrated delivery of services. The action can, for example focus on the interaction of the ECG and the Youth Guarantee, supporting the transition to adulthood.
4. Scaling-up: Identifying proven social innovation models, designing effective method(s) for scaling up and working towards mainstreaming social innovation. For example, activities may include analysing proven social innovation models that improve access to key services for children in need. Activities may also include engaging public bodies and other key stakeholders to ensure the uptake of successful social innovation models. If the project involves social experimentation, activities should include developing an actionable strategy on supporting the replication, expansion, or integration of the selected method into the activities of key stakeholders relevant to the ECG.
5. Improving monitoring and evaluation systems to allow for evidence-based policy–making (in relation to policies impacting disadvantaged children). For example, activities may include strengthening or improving national monitoring and evaluation systems to support the central coordination of policies addressing child poverty or identifying efficient ways for data collection and data sharing. Where projects involve a testing component, they should include a proportionate evaluation methodology to assess the effectiveness of the intervention, with a view to informing possible future upscaling.
6. Promoting mutual learning in addressing child poverty and monitoring across the participating EaSI countries. This includes supporting the transfer and scaling-up of tested integrated service delivery and monitoring models through structured knowledge exchange, peer learning, and capacity-building activities among relevant stakeholders.
7. Participation in mutual learning events organised by the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation.

Expected Outcomes. Applicants, applying under Strand I, should demonstrate in their projects a focus on achieving the desired outcomes, specifically by targeting the following areas:

2. Improved access to and integration of services for children in need, for instance:

• Improved integrated delivery of key services (e.g. education, healthcare, nutrition, and housing).
• Reduced administrative and structural barriers to accessing services.
• Increased reach and coverage of services for children in need.
• Concrete support provided to a defined number of children.
• Better coordination between service providers leading to more effective support.
• Identification and support of innovative solutions for the transition of (vulnerable) children to adulthood.

3. Evidence-based policy recommendation, for instance:

• Strengthened use of data and monitoring systems to inform policy decisions.
• Developed policy recommendations based on project results.
• Clear contribution to policy reform improving the implementation of the European Child Guarantee.
• Adapted/ transferred social innovation models (e.g. documented for further replication).