Towards the right care for children

In order to increase its knowledge on the possible issue of de-institutionalisation in developing countries and how it could be addressed, the European Commission Directorate- General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) commissioned SOS Children’s Villages International to conduct the present study. Its general objective was to “conduct a research on the possible issue of institutionalisation in six South and Central American, Asian and African countries in order to strengthen the knowledge of the European Commission on the nature, the extent and scope of institutionalisation and feasibility of de-institutionalisation (alternative care for children). On the basis of its results, the research would give recommendations for future possible initiatives (pilot programmes, social protection system reforms, for example) to be supported by the EU in developing countries.” The present synthesis report, Towards the Right Care for Children, presents the findings of the study as well as recommendations for EU external action. The present synthesis report brings together the key elements of extensive desk reviews for each of the three continents under consideration as well as six in-depth country studies (Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda).