Members

The Alliance of Lawyers for Human Rights (A.A.D.H.) connects children with pro bono legal support. It works on cases involving vulnerable children and runs programmes to support unaccompanied minors and improve children’s understanding of the legal system.

The Child Rights Centre promotes and protects children’s rights in Serbia through legal and policy work. It also actively involves children in its programmes, supporting their participation and amplifying their voices in society.

Defence for Children International – Belgium (DEI–ECPAT Belgique) works to protect and promote children’s rights, with a particular focus on ending violence and sexual exploitation.

Defence for Children International – Netherlands (DCI-Nederland) works to protect and promote the rights of all children, both in the Netherlands and globally.

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) promotes human rights in Poland and internationally through education, strategic litigation and legal advice. It also monitors public authorities and organises one of the world’s largest human rights film festivals, WATCH DOCS.

The Social Activities and Practices Institute (SAPI) promotes children’s rights through policy work, social services and training. It has led initiatives in child-friendly justice, including creating Bulgaria’s first specialised child interview rooms and support practices.

Terre des hommes Romania supports vulnerable children and young people, including those on the move and in contact with the justice system. Through its programmes, it promotes fair and child-friendly justice across Romania.

Young Perspectives (YOPE) is a Netherlands-based NGO using arts and sports to support young people in detention. It promotes child-friendly justice by amplifying young people’s voices and working with professionals across the youth justice system.

The German Institute for Human Rights is Germany’s independent national human rights institution. Accredited with A-status under the United Nations Paris Principles, the Institute provides policy advice, promotes human rights education, conducts applied research, and collaborates with international organisations.

The Law Institute of the Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences conducts research on legal systems, human rights and criminology. It focuses on public law and children’s rights, contributing to legal reform and the development of evidence-based policy in Lithuania.

Marcos de Barros is an experienced lawyer and Program Manager at KidsRights, specialising in children’s rights, youth empowerment, and people-centered justice.

Maia Chochua is a lawyer with over 26 years’ experience in rule of law and justice reform. She specialises in restorative justice and has contributed to major juvenile justice reforms in Georgia and internationally through EU, Council of Europe, and UNICEF initiatives.

Cecilia Popa is a criminal justice and cybercrime expert with over 14 years’ experience. She specialises in children’s online safety, restorative justice, and cybercrime, and has worked across Europe, the US, and Asia in research, policy, and practice.

Dr Annemieke Wolthuis is a lawyer, mediator, and deputy juvenile court judge specialising in children’s rights and youth law. With a background in research and practice, she focuses on restorative justice and training in juvenile and family law.

The Aditus Foundation is a Malta-based human rights organisation providing legal support and advocacy to promote access to justice. It focuses on vulnerable groups and works with partners to address legal gaps and advance equality and accountability.

The Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) works to improve youth justice and support better outcomes for children and young people. Based in Scotland, the Centre contributes to safer, more inclusive communities where individuals can thrive. I

Defence for Children International – Greece (DCI–Greece) works to promote and protect the rights of all children. The organisation runs a Child Rights Helpdesk providing legal assistance to migrant children and guidance to professionals working on their cases. It also delivers training for lawyers and practitioners.

Deutsche Kinderhilfswerk promotes children’s rights in Germany, focusing on participation and tackling child poverty. It develops projects and advocates for child-friendly policies, including advancing child-friendly justice within legislative and administrative processes.

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights combines research and practice to advance human rights. It supports policy, training and advocacy, contributing to evidence-based decision-making and the effective implementation of human rights standards.

Terre des hommes (Tdh), founded in 1960, is the leading Swiss child relief organisation. Tdh is committed to bringing meaningful and lasting change to the lives of children and young people, especially to those most exposed to risks, by providing essential services, assistance and training.

Validity is an international human rights organisation using legal strategies to defend the rights of people with intellectual or psychosocial disabilities. It focuses on systemic abuses, including access to justice, inclusive education and independent living.

Defence for Children International – Czechia (DCI–Czechia) works to promote children’s rights and raise awareness among the public and decision-makers. The organisation acts as an advisory body, cooperating with ministries during the development of new legislation.

Hrabri Telefon (Brave Phone) was established in 1997 as a helpline for abused and neglected children. It has since developed into a key source of support for children and young people facing a wide range of challenges, as well as for parents and professionals.

Penal Reform International (PRI) promotes human rights-based criminal justice systems worldwide. It works on detention conditions and alternatives to imprisonment, supporting fair treatment for all, including children and other vulnerable groups in contact with the law.

Maartje Berger is an independent children’s rights expert and mediator specialising in youth and restorative justice. She works on national and EU projects, advocating for child-friendly justice systems and improved access to restorative approaches for young people.

Cédric Foussard is an international expert in justice for children, with nearly 20 years’ experience. He leads global initiatives, advocacy, and research to promote child-friendly justice and strengthen the rights of children in contact with justice systems worldwide.

Silvia Randazzo is a criminologist and independent child justice expert. She has extensive experience as a researcher and project coordinator in European and international multi-country projects addressing key issues in child justice, including violence against children, discrimination in access to justice, individual assessment, restorative justice, and legal aid.

The AIRE Centre is a legal charity specialising in European human rights law. It litigates before European courts and provides expert legal support to help individuals access and enforce their rights across European and international legal systems.

CICS.NOVA is a public research centre based in Lisbon, Portugal, with several regional hubs forming a national network. Its mission is to carry out high-quality, interdisciplinary research that supports critical thinking in the social sciences and informs policymaking.

Defence for Children International – Italy (DCI–Italia) works with and for children to build a society that fully respects their rights. Its work includes research and analysis, awareness-raising, and training for professionals.

The Global Campus of Human Rights is an international association of over 100 universities organised in eight regional hubs and dedicated to the promotion and advancement of human rights education, research, outreach and advocacy.

Methoria is a UK-based legal and policy charity working to improve access to justice for vulnerable migrants. Its programmes focus on refugee children’s rights and developing international standards for protecting the rights of deceased, missing and bereaved migrants.

Terre des hommes Greece works to strengthen child protection systems, reform social assistance, and ensure that children’s voices help to shape their communities. The organisation focuses on safeguarding children from abuse and neglect, supporting families affected by migration, and improving access to justice.

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is a Brussels-based research university specialising in law and human rights. Through its Faculty of Law and Criminology, it contributes to EU policy, research and public debate on issues including technology, migration and social justice.

DCI-France is a network of members concerned about the well-being of children and convinced of the need to respect their rights. It has set up local delegations acting in different territories: institutions, cities, departments, and regions.

Inspiring Children’s Futures is a partnership based at the University of Strathclyde. Its collective vision is to ensure that children and young people – particularly those facing adversity – have the support they need to reach their full potential.

UNICEF Luxembourg raises awareness and funds to support UNICEF’s global work for children. Guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it promotes children’s rights and relies on public support to deliver its mission worldwide.

Marine Braun is a lawyer and child rights expert with over 13 years’ experience working with international organisations and governments. She specialises in child-friendly justice and promoting children’s meaningful participation in decision-making.

Eftychia Katsigaraki is Director at the Greek Ministry of Justice, overseeing juvenile justice and detention services. She specialises in policy development, research, and the implementation of rehabilitation and psychosocial support programmes for young people in detention.

Odete Severino Soares is a child rights expert and PhD candidate at NOVA School of Law. With over ten years’ experience in government and international institutions, she specialises in children’s rights, policy development, research, and training at national and international levels.