Up to €600,000 to Strengthen Child Protection Systems – CERV 2026

The CERV-2026-DAPHNE-CHILDREN call provides EU funding for projects that strengthen integrated child protection systems and improve coordinated, child-centred responses to violence against children. It forms part of the EU's Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme.

Here’s what you can expect:

• €200,000–€600,000 in EU funding per project

• €3 million allocated specifically to this priority

• Funding for projects preventing and responding to violence against children

• Development and strengthening of integrated child protection systems

• Better cooperation between social services, healthcare, education, justice and other sectors

• Child-centred and coordinated responses for children experiencing violence

• Projects strengthening cooperation between public authorities and civil society

• Activities that improve safeguarding, prevention, identification, referral and support

• Projects can operate at national or transnational level

• The wider CERV-DAPHNE 2026 call has a total budget of €21 million across its five priorities.

Who can apply?

• Nonprofit organisations

• Civil society organisations

• Public authorities

• Organisations working in child protection, children's rights and violence prevention

• Projects under this priority generally require a consortium, rather than a single applicant

• Applicants must be established in an eligible country under the CERV programme

• Organisations undertaking activities involving children must have appropriate child-protection and safeguarding policies in place.

Deadline: 5 November 2026 at 5:00pm Brussels time.