Toetuskiri

Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia To: The Estonian Union for Child Welfare From: Kadri Kasterpalu Project manager (Department of Children and Families) The Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Letter of Support This letter declares the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs intent to support the project CLARA - Child- Led Advocacy and Research for Action coordinated by EUCW, which will be submitted under the CERV- 2025-CHILD call. The project aims to enhance children’s roles as active rights-holders in democratic life, by enabling participatory, evidence-based advocacy practices led by children themselves and supported by local civil society organizations and schools in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. CLARA is highly relevant to the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Social Affairs, where child participation and non-discrimination are key principles. The project’s emphasis on empowering children from underrepresented groups, supporting ethical and inclusive co-creation methods, and fostering collaboration between civil society and academia aligns strongly with our policy goals. We particularly value that the project also includes the development of a practical toolbox and reflexive report, which will serve as transferable, child-friendly resources for broader use in Estonia and beyond. The CLARA project has a solid foundation, as the project co-ordinator (EUCW), has decades of national and international experience from the field, as well as multiple collaborations at both national and European level. The Ministry of Social Affairs expresses full support for its implementation and would welcome opportunities to engage with its activities and results, including participation in national conferences or dissemination events. Sincerely, /signed digitally/ Hanna Vseviov Vice Chancellor Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia