Cyprus

In general, HFC aims to provide guidance and support for the development of more effective and comprehensive child protection systems across the EU. In this direction, campaigns/projects at a grassroots level undertaken by HFC include: Non-formal Human Rights Education (HRE) for teachers and children, ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children (2014 - ongoing), the operation of the European Helpline for the Support of Children and Adolescents 116111 (ongoing), the Missing Children Hotline 116000 (ongoing), the implementation and enforcement of the “Beat Bullying” Campaign (2013-ongoing), the opening and coordination of the Children’s House (2017), the Training of the Professionals involved in the Juvenile Judicial Procedures (2017), the Foster Care program for unaccompanied minors (2016-2017) and the Social Skills Workshops for third country nationals (2016-2017).
Additionally, HFC contributes significantly in the area of Children on the Move, following EU laws on asylum and family reunification through Dublin procedures. It directly provides rehabilitation, integration and durable solution services to migrant children primarily through the operation of a children’s shelter for unaccompanied minors, called “Home for Hope”. The two “Home for hope” shelters, accommodate around 40 minors between the ages of 13 -18, who have suffered abuse and/or exploitation. The shelter provides interdisciplinary and holistic services based on models that are considered good practices in other European countries, after they are first adapted to the needs and special circumstances of Cyprus. Such activities are complemented by research and policy-making together with solid collaboration with national authorities in the social welfare, migration and asylum sectors.
HFC leads and takes part in several european projects in the field of gender equality, social inclusion and integration of young migrants. For example, the Organisation coordinates a european project called INTEGRA which aims to provide multidisciplinary mentorship programme to support the entrepreneurship of children in care and young care-leavers. Furthermore, HFC takes part in various european projects such as MEDIS – Mediterranean Inclusive Schools, CREUS: Developing & Nurturing the Vocational transversal skills of Disadvantaged Young People through Creative, Non-Formal Learning in Unconventional Spaces, and CONVEY: Counteracting sexual violence and harassment.