Sustainable child rights advocacy and networking in Hungary

The project addresses systemic challenges affecting children's rights, educational equality and the effectiveness of civil society advocacy in Hungary. Roma children, children from disadvantaged backgrounds and other marginalised groups face persistent inequalities, particularly in access to inclusive and quality education. Their experiences and perspectives are insufficiently represented in public discussions and policy-making processes. At the same time, children's rights organisations struggle to influence decision-makers, coordinate advocacy activities and ensure meaningful participation from rural communities. The Child Rights Civil Coalition currently operates as an informal network without independent legal status, stable financial resources or sufficient professional coordination capacity. The Rosa Parks Foundation also faces organisational challenges, including dependence on key individuals, limited human resources, insufficient fundraising capacity and unpredictable project-based financing. These interconnected problems weaken the sustainability and effectiveness of children's rights advocacy. The project seeks to overcome these barriers by strengthening organisational capacities, promoting inclusive representation and establishing a more coordinated, professional and sustainable child rights civil society network.

The project aims to strengthen the Rosa Parks Foundation and support the transformation of the Child Rights Civil Coalition into an independent, legally established and sustainable national umbrella organisation. Over three years, the Foundation will professionalise its internal operations, clarify responsibilities, improve management systems and develop dedicated communication and fundraising capacities. It will also support the Coalition in creating a three-year strategy, establishing effective governance structures, strengthening working groups and expanding its membership, particularly among rural, Roma and marginalised communities. The project will organise regional child rights forums, professional workshops, training activities and national conferences to encourage knowledge sharing and cooperation. Through policy papers, advocacy initiatives and participation in national and international decision-making processes, both organisations will promote children's rights, inclusive education, desegregation and equal opportunities. The Foundation will also relaunch its Inclusive Education Programme, including research into inclusion practices in church-maintained schools. Communication campaigns, including “Invisible Rights, Visible Children”, will raise public awareness and make children's rights issues more accessible.

By 2029, the project aims to establish two stronger, more sustainable organisations capable of effectively representing children's rights and influencing public policy in Hungary. The Child Rights Civil Coalition is expected to gain independent legal status, develop a professional organisational structure and strengthen its national network. The project targets the involvement of 25 partner organisations or members in advocacy activities, the organisation of three regional child rights forums and three national or regional professional events, and the preparation of 12 policy papers or policy recommendations. The Coalition aims to expand its membership by eight new members, with particular attention to organisations representing disadvantaged children. Six staff members will acquire new professional skills, while 50 staff members or volunteers will complete capacity-building activities. Two fundraising strategies and two communication strategies will support organisational sustainability. The main beneficiaries are Roma and disadvantaged children, civil society organisations, educators, child rights professionals and local communities. Decision-makers will also benefit from evidence-based recommendations, while children's perspectives will gain greater visibility in policy discussions.