Project
The collaboration between the three selected lead partners and KNH and TDH has already been in place through the two projects “It’s Time to Talk!” (2016–2019) and “Dialogue Works” (2020–2024). While “It’s Time to Talk” involved all three organizations (the Vigyan Foundation in India, MANTHOC in Peru, and JCM in Zambia), “Dialogue Works” included only the Vigyan Foundation and JCM as local project promoters. KNH and TDH selected these partners for their regional influence, established networks, and extensive experience in the field of child participation. The decision to collaborate again with these partner organizations is based on the successes and expertise demonstrated in previous projects. The existing collaboration has resulted in a solid foundation of trust, efficient work processes, and deeper content development. Continued collaboration not only ensures the sustainability of the results achieved so far but also allows for their targeted expansion. The lead partner organizations were selected not only to ensure regional representation in Southeast Africa, South Asia, and South America, but also because they bring strong advocacy, political commitment, and on-the-ground experience that are essential for empowering children at the macro, meso, and micro levels.
Core Objective
The Global Network for Child Participation – Dialogue Works 2.0 contributes to improving the living conditions of children in vulnerable situations by strengthening meaningful and sustainable structures for child participation in Zambia, India, and Peru, as well as in the three regions, and by creating a virtual platform for exchange and training worldwide.
2021 has been declared the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. Following a call by the Alliance 8.7, the campaign has submitted an Action Pledge illustrating our commitment to support working children and youth worldwide:
“By the end of the project, the Global Network for Children’s Participation in 2029 will have helped at least 1,500 children and adolescents in vulnerable situations to increase their ability to express their needs and turn their proposals into self-directed advocacy efforts.”
Partner Organisations
We work with 11 partners across three major regions of the world. Some of them were already part of our previous campaign, ‘Dialogue Work!’, whilst others joined us in 2025. Take a look at our interactive map to see who we’re working with and where.
„Dialogue Works 2.0“ Partner Organisations
| "Dialogue Works 2.0" Partner Organizations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Africa | ||
| Zambia | Jesus Cares Ministries Zambia | https://jesuscares.org.zm/ |
| Kenya | Action for children | https://actionchildren.or.ke/ |
| Ethiopia | Facilitator for Change | https://fce-eth.org/ |
| Rwanda | Children Voice Today | https://childrensvoicetoday.org/ |
| Asia | ||
| India | Vygian Fundation | https://www.vigyanfoundation.org/ |
| Nepal | Children and Women in Social Service and Human Rights / CWISH | Website CWISH |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka Unites | https://srilankaunites.org/ |
| Latin America | ||
| Peru | MANTHOC (Movimiento de Adolescentes y Niños Trabajadores Hijos de Obreros Cristianos) | https://manthoc.org.pe/ |
| Bolivia | Pastoral Social Cáritas Potosí / PASOCAP | |
| Ecuador | Las Guerreras por la Amazonía | https://udapt.org/ |
Background
Children and Vulnerability
The right of children and adolescents to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect their lives is a central principle of children’s rights. However, in many contexts—especially where poverty, displacement, labor exploitation, or cultural exclusion exist—children’s voices still lack effective spaces and mechanisms to influence the policies and practices that concern them. This reality limits not only the protection of basic rights but also the quality and relevance of public policies aimed at children.
Based on this assessment, the Global Network for Children’s Participation was established to strengthen sustainable and meaningful structures for child participation in three priority regions: Southeast Africa, South Asia, and South America. The project recognizes the diversity of experiences—including those of child laborers and children from rural and indigenous communities—and advocates for contextual approaches that combine local adaptation with regional learning and scaling up. The initiative is supported by international cooperation led by Terre des Hommes Deutschland and Kindernothilfe, along with regional partners with on-the-ground experience: Jesus Cares Ministries (Zambia), Vigyan Foundation (India), and MANTHOC (Peru).
The project’s strategy combines four main components: (1) strengthening local capacities, focused on training civil society organizations (CSOs) and empowering Adolescent and Children’s Committees (ACCs); (2) designing, piloting, and adapting methodological tools for participatory processes; (3) creating and maintaining a global Community of Practice (CoP) to document and share lessons learned across regions; and (4) advocacy and dialogue with authorities to ensure that children’s recommendations are translated into concrete policies and practices.
Child-centered and inclusion-focused approach
El proyecto entiende que la participación infantil debe ser significativa —no meramente consultiva— y diseñada con criterios de inclusión, género y protección. Se prioriza el trabajo con niñas, niños y adolescentes en situación de vulnerabilidad (incluyendo niños trabajadores y comunidades marginadas), y se articula la participación con medidas de protección y con acciones que permitan la continuidad educativa y el desarrollo de capacidades. Asimismo, la iniciativa promueve prácticas culturalmente pertinentes para asegurar que las voces de comunidades indígenas y rurales sean escuchadas y respetadas.
Resulta clave la perspectiva de los propios niños y niñas: su participación aporta diagnóstico fino sobre riesgos y soluciones viables, y garantiza que las políticas derivadas respondan a necesidades reales. Por ello, el proyecto fomenta el liderazgo juvenil, la co-gestión de actividades por parte de los CAC y la visibilidad de las propuestas infantiles en foros y procesos de toma de decisión.