Doubling of municipalities that join CFCI in the Netherlands

3 November 2025 - In 2023 UNICEF Netherlands started with implementing the CFCI program with a pilot group of municipalities. This first cohort performed a situation analysis and has its Action plans more or less in place now. They start with the implementation and work on priorities as implementing a Child Rights Assessment, strengthening youth participation and improving the mental health by better information about available help and inclusive playgrounds.

The second cohort is still working on their situation analysis. During this process, better collaboration between the different departments and involvement of children is already taking shape.

And now the third cohort starts. Nine municipalities show the courage and ambition to improve childrens’ rights in their local policies and practice: Amsterdam Zuidoost, Baarn, Bonaire, Haarlemmermeer, Hoorn, Lelystad, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Steenbergen. And again, there is a Caribbean municipality among them, thus strengthening the exchange of experiences between the European and Caribbean part of the Netherlands. 

During an CFCI-event representatives of the nine municipalities signed the MoU’s and had the opportunity to meet and exchange experiences with representatives from the other cohorts during inspiring sessions about polarisation, safety, online bullying and housing. Both commissioners as CFCI coordinators were present. 

The day was enriched with a gift from the candidate-city The Hague: it named a foothpassenger’s bridge near the UNICEF office ‘UNICEF-bridge’. UNICEF the Netherlands looks forward to collaborating with all municipalities in making the world locally a better place for children.