New Project: OUR VOICES – Empowering Young Carers across Europe

We are pleased to announce the launch of OUR VOICES, a 24-month project funded under the CERV-2024-CHILD programme, coordinated by Eurocarers. The project focuses on promoting the rights and meaningful participation of young carers (YCs)—children and adolescents under 18 who provide care for a family member—by making their voices heard in decisions that affect them.

Young carers face significant challenges, including barriers to education, mental and physical health risks, and limited opportunities to participate in public life. Yet, across Europe, there is little structured support to involve them in shaping policies and services. OUR VOICES addresses this gap through a combination of research, capacity building, and participatory action.

The project will:

• Map existing gaps and disparities in young carers’ participation across five EU countries and identify minimum support standards to inform local and national stakeholders;
• Consult with young carers, professionals, and decision-makers to co-design mechanisms for engagement in child rights advocacy;
• Pilot tailored participation tools in selected schools and city councils;
• Develop and deliver a dedicated training programme for professionals working with and for children and youth, aiming to strengthen their capacity to support young carers;
• Raise awareness and disseminate results through a multilingual communication strategy, including national and European events, a project website, and collaboration with key stakeholders.

The project is implemented by a dynamic consortium of organisations from Belgium, Italy, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Slovenia: Eurocarers (Coordinator), Anziani e Non Solo, Linnaeus University, Social Network Vesta, ZoJong!, and the University of Ljubljana.
OUR VOICES seeks to ensure that young carers across Europe are not only recognised and supported—but also heard.

Stay tuned for updates, training opportunities, and policy recommendations!