Europe and Central Asia

DUBAI, 8 December 2023 – Countries from across Europe and Central Asia affirmed their commitment to accelerating inclusive, child and youth-centered climate policies and action at a Bulgaria-UNICEF event on the Youth, Children and Skills Day at COP28. Young people from Bulgaria and Spain and leaders from across Europe and Central Asia shared…

NEW YORK/DUBAI, 7 December 2023 – Most children and young people say they have heard of climate change but only half understand what it is, according to a new UNICEF-Gallup poll, as world leaders gather at this year’s COP28. The global poll found that on average, 85 per cent of young people aged 15-24 surveyed in 55 countries said they have heard…

“When I was a child, we often went for walks with my family to rivers and lakes,” remembers 18-year-old Leyla. During these walks, she noticed that many of the water basins around her hometown in Azerbaijan were polluted with metal, plastic bottles and packaging. She was concerned that locals were unaware of the consequences of their actions. “…, Global asks and local actions, The Youth Climate Envoys programme empowers young people to speak up on climate issues and propose solutions at different levels, from local communities to the global climate debate. Two climate envoys from this year's cohort have joined the official delegation of Azerbaijan at the 28th Conference of the Parties, held in Dubai from 30 November to…, Educating and inspiring others, Following their training, youth climate envoys will visit urban and rural areas to educate other teenagers and young adults about climate action. Working through the network of youth clubs available in all districts of the country, they will conduct information and outreach sessions. “It is critical that young people in Azerbaijan understand these…

Liubov fled Ukraine with her daughter Veronika in March 2022 in search of safety and peace, after heavy bombardment amid the escalation of the war. "It was difficult. Veronica is nine years old now, so she can understand things. She understood what was happening. She is not two or three anymore to believe we were going on holidays. She was aware…

In Kyrgyzstan, air pollution is the single biggest environmental risk factor for premature death and ill-health, with young children among the most affected. In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan a UNICEF study found that residents are exposed to annual average concentrations that range from moderately elevated to far more than concentrations known to cause…

When Ivan’s mother Elena says to her 2-year-old son: "Let's go to Alina's," he smiles and hurries to get ready. Elena is referring to Alina Nichkasova, psychologist at an Early Intervention Center (EIC) in Minsk, Belarus. The Center has been in operation for more than 20 years, providing critical support to children with developmental disabilities…

Sara, 11, enjoys her classes and socializing with her classmates at her school in Baku. Besides her interest in sports and gymnastics, Sara likes reading and spending time with her friend Melisa.  “She has the same interests and dreams as other children,” says Sara’s mother Nurlana. When she was born, Nurlana was worried about education options…

Nearly 11 million children with disabilities live in Europe and Central Asia. Each of them – like every child in the world – has the right to be nurtured and supported through responsive care and education, to receive adequate nutrition and social protection, and to enjoy play and leisure time. Too often, however, such rights are denied. The…

GENEVA, 1 December 2023 – Children with disabilities across Europe and Central Asia face discrimination in their homes, schools and communities, according to a new analysis of data from nine countries and territories across the region published today by UNICEF. Children with disabilities in Europe and Central Asia: A statistical overview of their…

Picture fitting your entire life into a single suitcase, your three-year-old child holding your hand as the only anchor in a sea of uncertainty. Now, imagine being in a new country, leaving behind everything and everyone you knew, all while trying to create a sense of normalcy, routine, and safety for your child. Think about the struggle of…

The climate crisis is a child rights crisis, with the youngest and most vulnerable children bearing the greatest toll. Children in Armenia are already feeling its impact and are taking action and creating solutions. This year, students and teachers across Armenia dedicated themselves to fostering eco-friendly solutions to take on global problem…, A green lifestyle challenge, Three young girls working on their project on climate change In an effort to reduce a growing mountain of waste in Yeghegnadzor, Armenia, residents burn up to two tons of garbage every week. A group of 15 eighth graders from Yeghegnadzor public school #2 have been studying the causes of climate change and its consequential risks. Led by UNICEF…, From Climapolis to COP, Adolescents make eco-friendly products Narek and Yerazik, 18, are from the town of Vedi in Armenia’s Ararat province. Last year they participated in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27, as the first young delegates from Armenia to represent the voices of their generation. In 2021, Narek and a group of friends founded start-up…, School students in Vardenis champion garbage sorting initiative, A young girl attaching a bin sticker to help sort trash. In Vardenis, Armenia, unsorted garbage is disposed of in a communal landfill. The practice has caused concern for several years with local authorities urging for the closure of the landfill due to its detrimental effects. The unmanaged waste spreads to neighboring areas through the wind and…

Gender based violence  can involve physical, psychological, sexual, and economic harm inflicted particularly on women and girls. The consequences of this violence are both visible and hidden and can result in long-lasting physical and emotional impacts. Gender-based violence is a pervasive public health issue, and is both a consequence of and…, Moldova, In Ungheni, Moldova, three girls have become champions of non-violence at school while advocating for girls' rights. Earlier this year, UNICEF supported Ionela and Bianca to conduct information sessions on violence against children and combating gender stereotypes for teenagers from their secondary school. Ionela is the head of the Bullying and…, Türkiye, In 2023, the European Union supported UNICEF with EUR 4 million to expand services helping to protect children and adolescents in Türkiye. This funding enabled UNICEF to expand programmes dedicated to  prevention, risk mitigation and response of  GBV reaching  65,000 children and adolescents. Türkiye remains home to the largest refugee population…, Bosnia and Herzegovina, In Bosnia and Herzegovina, girls are boldly raising their voices against inequality. Around the world, girl-led movements are advocating for their fundamental rights including ending  child marriage and female genital mutilation, demanding action on climate change, and trail-blazing in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM…