The Project
Develop structural tools to support the implementation of the European Child Guarantee in Portugal
Project
The project “Developing structural tools to support the implementation of the European Child Guarantee in Portugal” aims to support Portugal in the implementation of its National Child Guarantee Action Plan 2022-2030, through the development of tools to monitor and evaluate the Action Plan, improve local governance, strengthen communication and engagement of children and young people and ensure the coordinated implementation of national and local policies.
Context
In 2021, the Council of the European Union adopted a recommendation to establish a European Child Guarantee. The aim of the recommendation is to prevent and combat social exclusion of children in need by guaranteeing access to a set of key services, thereby also helping to uphold the rights of the child by combating child poverty and fostering equal opportunities. Combatting child poverty and social exclusion has been a priority for Portugal. The country achieved significant progress in reducing child poverty and social exclusion; and performs well in the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Nevertheless, the risk of child poverty and social exclusion remains high and child well-being outcomes and access to public services differ considerably between regions and by socio-economic background. In January 2023, Portugal’s Council of Ministers approved the country’s National Child Guarantee Action Plan 2022-2030.
Technical Suport
The technical support provided aims to ensure inclusive, effective, and sustainable support focused on children and young people, through actions such as: - Developing the monitoring and evaluation capacity of the Child Guarantee National Action Plan, particularly by improving the quality of data and information on the target population, Children and Young People of the Child Guarantee, using a holistic well-being approach; - Strengthening the governance, monitoring, and implementation of the Action Plan's monitoring, in order to maximize the achievement of results, particularly among the most vulnerable children, young people, and families; - Increasing the adherence of the Child Guarantee Local Units network to the measures included in the Action Plan, strengthening the participation of children and young people, and supporting greater coordination between national and local policies, in order to ensure a common governance approach to policy design and local implementation.
Objectives and outputs
Development of a data monitoring and governance methodology, with detailed indicators monitored at the national, regional, and local levels: • Assessment of the capacity of data to monitor the well-being of children and youth; • Assessment of governance and processes supporting the implementation of the Child Guarantee Action Plan; • International seminar on data collection and monitoring of the Child Guarantee; • Development of a methodology and technical materials to monitor the implementation of the Child Guarantee Action Plan.
Guidance material for child and youth participation
In order to ensure that the Local Units Child Guarantee develop an inclusive and participatory approach in implementing the Child Guarantee Action Plan, a manual was created with recommendations on measures and tools that allow strengthening the participation, communication and involvement of children and young people in hearing and decision-making processes.
