Funded by the European Commission (CERV-2021-DAPHNE) between 2022 and 2024, C-Child involves 6 European countries: Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal and Spain. It is informed by a child-centred perspective with an intersectional approach, through a mix of interdisciplinary and participatory methodologies.

Project objectives:

1. To increase the knowledge about the impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on violence against LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts.
2. To learn strategies and resilience processes of LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts when facing LGBTIQphobic violence in the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.  To improve the early detection of LGBTIQ victims or potential victims of violence, with specific attention paid to situations emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
4.  To establish and adapt the mechanisms that support the well-being of LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts, addressing their specific needs, and difficulties in the covid-19 situation.
5.  To increase prevention of situations of violence against LGBTIQ children before it happens and strengthen protection and support to LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts.
6. To increase the expertise of professionals working with children in responding to the specific wellbeing needs of LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts and reinforce their capacity to prevent, detect and respond to violence.
7. To increase the local capacity to address issues related to violence against LGBTIQ children in a vulnerable context through multilevel and interdisciplinary perspectives.
8. To promote attitude and behaviour changes concerning LGBTIQ children among the general population and particular groups.

The study is divided in four stages. Stage 1 consists of a needs assessment of violence and well-being of LGBTIQ children in each country. It involves focus groups with children, interviews to professionals and organizations, and a survey. Stage 2 includes workshops with children focused on their experiences of services providers and professionals, after which guidelines and a training curriculum for professionals will be elaborated. During Stage 3, an expected number of 400 professionals will receive training and 200 more will benefit from a new module added to the Diversity and Childhood Massive Open Online Course. Finally, Stage 4 is dedicated to dissemination and communication, with a variety of outputs and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and trigger action to prevent and combat violence against LGBTIQ children in vulnerable contexts.