Child rights to education and protection – Interpedia starting three new development cooperation projects in 2023

In June, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland granted Interpedia funding for three new development cooperation projects in Nepal and Ethiopia for the years 2023–2026.

A total of 1 327 800 euros of project support was granted.

Interpedia received funding for all the projects we applied for. The projects are implemented jointly with our long-term partner organizations.

The aim of the projects is to promote the rights of the child, especially the right to education and protection. The work reaches children and youth in the most vulnerable position, such as girls, children with disabilities and casteless children.

We thank the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for their trust and our donors for their participation in collecting the self-financing for the projects.

Interpedia has implemented development cooperation projects since the 1980s.

New projects

Ethiopia: Realizing Rights of Children with Disabilities through Improved Participation, Inclusion & Commitment of Duty Bearers

The goal of the four-year project is to promote the realization of the rights of children with disabilities in Ethiopia, so that they can enjoy a balanced childhood, a safe growth environment and quality education.

Grassroots work is still needed in Ethiopia to identify children with disabilities and facilitate their access to inclusive education. In addition, there is a need to change the communities’ discriminatory practices and thought patterns. The capacity of local authorities and local organizations of people with disabilities must also be strengthened.

Interpedia has been working with our partner organization Berhan Lehetsanat in the Bishoftu region for over ten years, reaching over a thousand children with disabilities. This project works through the community-based rehabilitation method in seven kebeles, some of which are completely new areas.

Nepal: Power Girls

The project promotes gender equality and reduces discrimination by improving the rights of girls in a vulnerable position. Girls in rural areas of Nepal often face discrimination, which can lead to dropping out of school, child marriage, and human trafficking.

The project creates a dialogue between girls and those in power, empowers girls and improves child protection mechanisms and learning environments in schools.

The project is implemented in Nepal by our long-term partner organization Children and Women in Social Service and Human Rights (CWISH). The goal is that vulnerable girls in Nepal are empowered to actively demand for their rights, and communities and authorities support their agenda.

Nepal: Community Leadership on Education and Protection

The project aims at strengthening child protection and education systems as well as school administration in Far West Nepal.

Discrimination based on gender, caste and disability is still deeply rooted in the Far West of Nepal. Girls, casteless Dalits and children with disabilities are in a very vulnerable position. Girls face several discriminatory practices such as child marriage, responsibility for housework, preference for boys, domestic violence and being labelled as impure during menstruation. Casteless and disabled girls are particularly discriminated against.

In the project, we promote child rights to education and protection, e.g. by addressing school dropouts and discrimination in communities, and engaging civil society to promote accountability and good governance in schools and at local government structures.

We implement the project together with Loo Niva Child Concern Group.

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