About us
UNICEF is the global leader promoting and protecting children’s rights in 190 countries, together with partners such as the European Union
UNICEF works with the European Union (EU) to protect and promote children’s rights around the world.
UNICEF’s strong partnership with the EU is multifaceted and has grown significantly over the past number of years, underpinned by our shared values around development, peace and human rights. We believe that investing in the wellbeing of children and young people is not only a moral imperative or a legal obligation, but also a smart economic decision.
The EU invests significant resources to deliver life-changing programmes for children in many countries and has adopted policies and frameworks to promote their rights. UNICEF recognises the EU as one of UNICEF’s most influential partners and largest financial supporters worldwide. Together the EU and UNICEF have been achieving meaningful and sustainable results for children, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Our core areas of work
The collaboration between UNICEF and the EU focuses on two inter-related areas: mobilising and leveraging resources for children, and advocating for the protection of their fundamental rights. This partnership is steered by the UNICEF Office for Relations with EU Institutions located in Brussels, in close collaboration with UNICEF Headquarters, Regional and Country offices.
The UNICEF Office in Brussels supports the mobilisation of EU funding for the delivery of UNICEF’s humanitarian response and development programmes, providing guidance to UNICEF offices around the world. It also leverages its strong relationship with EU Institutions to push children’s rights to the forefront of EU’s internal and external agenda through a continuous dialogue to develop initiatives that improve children’s wellbeing.
