The process of searching for and returning children should become more systematic, secure and large-scale

The return of Ukrainian children and youth who have been deported or are under occupation is a complex and multilevel process that requires coordination between government agencies, international partners, and civil society. The Guardians of Hope project, which was launched by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network with the support of the Partnership for a Strong Ukraine program, is aimed at strengthening this system.

The work with each story begins with a request from the family, who are often in a situation of uncertainty, limited information and high stress. That is why coordination and full support are important.

The project provides a full cycle of support:

• verification of the facts of movement;
• creating a child’s profile;
• legal support;
• assessment of the child’s best interests;
• psychological support;
• preparing for the return;
• support of the family during the preparation for return.

This approach allows us not only to work with individual cases but also to develop sustainable practices. The focus is on the return of children and youth under the age of 23.

The project also aims to strengthen institutional capacity by creating tools that allow for systematization:

• a secure database of children’s profiles;
• a chatbot for families’ requests;
• protocols of interaction between all parties involved.

This is critical in an environment where information about children is often fragmented and access to it is limited.
The project is part of national and international efforts, including support for the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, and promotes cooperation between government agencies, international organizations, and the civil sector.

“Guardians of Hope is about a systemic response to one of the most difficult challenges of the war: the return of children under occupation or deportation. It’s about how each case can become part of a system-wide change.

This is the main goal – to ensure that the process of returning children works not as a single point, but as a sustainable system.

The Guardians of Hope project is implemented by the Ukrainian Child Rights Network with the support of the Partnership for a Strong Ukraine Program, funded by the governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.