The "CARING 2.0: Multi-disciplinary Prevention of and Response to School-related Violence" project officially launched with a successful two-day kick-off meeting on April 15-16, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary. This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening integrated child protection systems across Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, and Kosovo.
Funded by the European Union, CARING 2.0 builds upon the successful implementation of previous EU-funded transnational projects REVIS (2021-2023) and CARING (2023-2025). The project responds directly to the European Commission's recommendation on developing and strengthening integrated child protection systems in the best interests of the child.
"Violence against children remains a critical issue across Europe, whether in homes, schools, or communities," said Marta Bene, project manager of CARING 2.0 project during the meeting. "This initiative places children at the centre of protection systems and recognizes their rights to both protection and participation."
The kick-off meeting brought together key stakeholders and partners from Terre des hommes Hungary, Terre des hommes Romania, Terre des hommes Greece, Terre des hommes Kosovo, Brave Phone (Hrabi Telefon) Croatia, Institute of Social Activities and Practices Bulgaria (SAPI), Association Roditeli (Bulgaria).
CARING 2.0 over its two-year duration will work with approximately 1,150 children and youth aged 12-16, with special focus on those in vulnerable situations, as well as 500 school staff members, nearly 600 public service providers, and 500 parents/caregivers and community members.
Using a socio-ecological model, CARING 2.0 will implement interventions across different layers of children's social environments – from individual and family levels to school, community, and society. This comprehensive approach aims to mobilize protective factors at each level to create sustainable change in both prevention and response systems. The CARING 2.0 will work with the partners already involved in the CARING project, which ended in April 30th, 2025.
During the kick-off meeting, partners discussed plans to develop a curriculum companion tool, to conduct training for educators and service providers, host knowledge-sharing webinars on trauma-informed care, and ultimately empower children as active agents of social change. Some activities in the project already started: as a new project partner Terre des hommes Kosovo initiated a rapid needs assessment in their country to address the real needs of children in Kosovo.
The CARING 2.0 is co-funded by the European Union.
