Rights based approach

We work in a rights-based manner. This means that we work systematically based on human rights with legal bearer and duty bearer in focus. Our goal is to empower people in our interventions and give them the opportunity to influence their own situation.

Our goal is to not exist anymore

We take a long-term approach by involving people in our interventions, so that those affected become part of the solution. We do this to create change that lasts, even after we have finished an intervention. To do that, we need to get to the root cause of a problem, not just solve the symptoms. This is why we work in a rights-based way.

The work is based on four fundamental principles

Regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs or religion; human rights apply to everyone and all people in our interventions are their own legal bearer. We work to empower legal bearer to realize and claim their rights, both as individuals and as a group.

Demand that those in power take responsibility. We work to clarify who is the duty-bearer, who is accountable to the rights-bearers - and ensure that there are structures and processes in place to make complaints and demand accountability.

Those affected should be involved in shaping the solution. We ensure that rights holders have the knowledge and Support they need to improve and influence their situation.

We are open about how we work with Monitoring and accountability and we can withstand scrutiny.

How we work in a rights-based way

We work with child participation

Today, when we work for children's rights, child participation permeates all our work. We believe in the inherent power of children to be involved in changing their situation. We see time and again that children's power to grow is enormous when they are given the right conditions. We see children who make courageous decisions, who individually and together influence their environment.

The right of children to express their views and have them respected is one of the fundamental principles of the CRC. A child who knows their rights becomes a stronger legal bearer.

We work through local partner organizations

Erikshjälpen does not run international interventions on its own. We always work with our local partner organizations. Organizations that work closely with the local culture, understand the context and have an already built trust and relationship with the people in the areas or interventions they work in. They are there for the long term, which increases the long-term sustainability of the interventions carried out. We work with around 70 local partner organizations with whom we run around 100 interventions .

We advocate for children's rights

For us as a child rights organisation with a rights-based approach, it is a matter of course that concrete interventions always link to decision-makers, authorities and other duty bearers. Erikshjälpen wants to be a clear voice for children in vulnerable life situations and contribute to increased knowledge about children's living conditions and rights.

We work towards the global goals

In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030). These goals describe a desired sustainable development in all countries. The goals are formulated according to Thematic areas. There is no specific goal that deals with children's rights, but the child perspective is included in all areas. Some goals that Erikshjälpen has defined as extra important in relation to our focus are:

  • Goal 2 No hunger
  • Objective 3 Good health and well-being
  • Objective 4 Quality education for all
  • Objective 5 Gender equality
  • Goal 16 Peaceful and inclusive societies.

Strengthening quality and credibility

When we apply a rights-based approach, we can achieve greater impact and credibility by including the people we serve - the children and the world they dream of - in decision-making processes so that we can prioritize the right interventions from the start.

Erikshjälpen's theory of change

Our work always starts with the violation of a child's rights and the goal of achieving a changed world where children's dreams come to life. In between, change needs to happen. In combination with our rights-based approach, Erikshjälpen has established a theory of change that we work with in all our interventions.

Our theory of change in brief

  1. A child's rights are violated. This is where all our interventions start.
  2. In the next step, we start from our Thematic areas - to see which rights are being violated, or if there are several. Based on these themes, we work rights-based to increase child participation and resilience.
  3. We engage with local partner organizations and civil society.
  4. We influence and work with legal duty bearers, the child and moral duty bearers - contact persons, religious leaders and parents. Here are those we want to get on board.
  5. The goal - A transformed world where children's dreams come to life. This is where we want to go.

Published: 30 August 2023

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