Across Europe, thousands of children and young people provide care to a family member who is ill, disabled or facing addiction, often in silence and without recognition. OUR VOICES sets out to change that.
Young Carers play a vital role in their families, but their own needs and perspectives are too often overlooked in policies and services. OUR VOICES aims to place their experiences, voices and aspirations at the centre of decision-making processes, at local, national and European level.
The project is powered by a diverse and experienced European consortium, coordinated by Eurocarers. It brings together:
- Organisations working directly with Young Carers
- Universities researching the experiences and needs of YCs
- Policy-focused networks that advocate for systemic change
Together, we form a strong alliance to build knowledge, awareness, and tools that will truly make a difference.
Over the next two years, OUR VOICES will:
- Map gaps and promising practices in youth participation across EU Member States
- Conduct in-depth needs assessments to better understand the barriers YCs face
- Develop awareness-raising campaigns targeting professionals, policymakers and the general public
- Create innovative models and tools to promote the participation of YCs
- Build synergies between stakeholders across sectors—education, health, social care and more