While the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes a legal obligation to protect children from all forms of violence, many contexts still face challenges in implementing comprehensive, coordinated, and effective child protection systems.

Municipalities — the level of government closest to children’s daily lives — play a pivotal role in turning these rights into tangible protections and safe environments. The Safe in Town project, funded by the European Union and led by Defence for Children Italy in partnership with Defence for Children Greece, Hope for Children, and CESIS, advances the realization of integrated child protection systems at the municipal level.

Implemented in Genoa (Italy), Chania (Greece), Strovolos (Cyprus), and Matosinhos (Portugal), the project pilots coordinated and multi-sectoral municipal policies for the protection and wellbeing of children, aiming to strengthen the role of cities in building proactive, preventive, and rights-based protection systems, reducing the risk of violence, and creating safe, inclusive, and child-friendly environments for all children.

The upcoming event will focus on “Integrated Child Protection Systems and the Role of Monitoring and Self-Reflection.” It will explore how monitoring and self-reflection tools can help municipalities and other relevant actors assess and strengthen child protection policies and integrated child protection systems.

During the meeting, the following will be presented:

• The "Know-Do-Be" capacity framework and its practical application at the municipal level.
• Key components necessary to implement the self-reflection tool and monitor safeguarding processes.
• Results and lessons learned directly from field pilots in Genoa, Chania, Strovolos, and Matosinhos.

15:00 - 15:10 | Welcoming remarks and objectives of the webinar

15:10 - 15:20 | Presentation of the Safe in Town Self-Reflection Tool – Applying the "Know-Do-Be" framework

15:20 - 16:20 | Practices, obstacles, and solutions in municipal child protection policies – Panel discussion with experts and project partners from Italy, Greece, Cyprus, and Portugal

16:20 - 16:30 | Open discussion and closing reflections 

Introduced and moderated by Pippo Costella, Director of Defence for Children International Italy

This webinar offers a platform for decision-makers, practitioners, and stakeholders to reflect on monitoring and self-reflection tools and share ideas on how local action can strengthen protection systems and ensure the practical realization of children’s rights.