Project Portugal 2030

Summary

The main aim of CHI(e)LD is to generate scientific knowledge to inform evidence-based policies and best practices for enhancing a responsive and resilient child protection system. To achieve this goal, we will conduct policy-driven research grounded in a child-centered, systemic, and comprehensive analysis of the child welfare system. Our approach will prioritize the design of multi-informant and mixed-method design integrating participatory methodologies (including bottom-up and multisectoral) quantitative indicators and a consensus based research. More specifically, the project has four specific objectives. The first is to develop a comprehensive and systematic analysis of public policies and indicators concerning child protection measures. This will involve diachronic policy reviews and synchronic and participatory analysis of data, maximizing a critical and informed approach to evaluating complex and multifaceted child protection measures from a processual perspective. The second objective is to prioritize a child-centered approach as a fundamental driver for producing evidence-based knowledge that inspires policy reforms and the development of robust indicators for assessing the impactful nature of protective measures throughout life. The development of child-centered indicators that also acknowledge socioeconomic determinants and the long-lasting effects of protection measures is critical for informing effective policies in breaking the cycle of disadvantage and trauma (activities 1 and 2). The third objective is to develop policy-driven research that can assist decision-makers in formulating and executing strategic, evidence-driven, and innovative policies to enhance public governance (activity 3). To achieve this, the project will contribute to developing guidelines for a child protection monitoring tool that could enhance surveillance of emerging indicators and address child perspectives on their cycles of disadvantage and gatekeeping measures. To address the lack of integrative evaluations from the different levels involved in child protection systems, data collection will culminate with capacity-building processes, contributing to inspiring collaborative and bottom-up decision processes (activity 2). The fourth objective is to commit the CHI(e)LD research process to use knowledge production as a social justice instrument, responding to UN calls to elect science as a human right "The right to benefit from scientific progress and its applications" (UN) and the right to be involved, to create conditions for child participation in matters that affect them most, ensuring safety, inclusiveness and cultural sensitivity accountability and long term processes [Council of Europe - Child Rights Connect, 2023]. Additionally, although a protectionist view of the child has hindered the right to participate in child policy development, disqualifying children as powerful agents for monitoring policy’s needs and effectiveness, children will be critical informants for producing tailored and societally impactful research (activity 4). CHI(e)LD's ambitious goals derive from its dedication to developing a project grounded in real-life experiences, addressing individuals and their contexts, particularly focusing on socio-economic determinants of exclusion and the system's efficacy in breaking cycles of disadvantage. Feasibility is ensured through a clear, organized, and flexible work plan comprising five integrated activities (activity 5).