Updates
CF met the Nordic Parliamentary Ombuds
The Norwegian Parliament has given a Parliamentary Ombud a special responsibility to examine whether the human rights of people deprived of their liberty are upheld and to prevent torture and inhuman treatment. They do this by visiting places where people are deprived of their liberty.
The Parliamentary Ombuds from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland gathered for joint professional development days. ChangeFactory (CF) was invited to give a presentation on: “What should National Preventive Mechanisms be aware of When Visiting Institutions for Children and Young people?” Perspectives from persons with lived experience of institutional childcare.
Since 2009, CF has collected experiences and advice from children and young people under the age of 18 in prisons, residential childcare institutions, and inpatient psychiatric units in mental health care. More than 600 children with experience from residential childcare institutions and 300 with experience from inpatient psychiatric units have taken part in knowledge-gathering carried out by CF.
In recent years, through collaboration with Nordic organisations, CF has seen a development in the Nordic countries where authorities are putting forward proposals to lower the thresholds for using physical force against children in institutions, proposals for locked institutions and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. In many cases, the authorities use children’s rights, such as children’s right to protection and care, as a justification for these proposals. A letter is now being written together with Nordic organisations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Council of Europe and the Nordic Council about, among other things.
Political signals have serious consequences for the children. The number of use-of-force records for children in child welfare institutions in Norway has increased from approximately 7,000 records in 2022 to more than 15,000 in 2025. More children are having their complaints upheld.
CF is therefore very happy and grateful that there are Parliamentary Ombuds whose role is to ensure and work towards children not being subjected to unlawful use of force.
Danish alliance visits ChangeFactory
Last week, we welcomed a Danish alliance of representatives from civil society, the public sector and professional communities who are working to strengthen prevention efforts and create healthier environments for children and young people.
As part of a study visit to Norway, the alliance Børnevægt i Balance (Children’s weight in Balance) visited ChangeFactory to learn more about our rights-based approach, and how we systematically gather knowledge from children and young people.
We greatly appreciate meeting people who want to share experiences and explore new ways to strengthen children’s rights and participation – and we love Nordic collaboration!
Camp recap: strength, belonging & mattering
Young people from all over Norway, in different life situations, came together at camp to build teams that will help shape Norway this fall. We enjoyed barbecuing, beach life, music and dance. The camp also included missions, where the young people gave advice to authorities and professionals on topics such as school, health, child protection, and the police. The camp has resulted in several strong teams who want to take part in meetings and dialogues, give talks, and contribute to films and podcasts — all to help improve the systems that shape childhood and youth in Norway.
Youth from Ukraine and Colombia visiting
Young people aged 15–18 from the Ukrainian Step by Step Foundation (Ukraine), Corporación Memoria y Paz (Colombia), and ChangeFactory (Norway) led a session at a conference in Oslo organized by the Nordic Network for Global Mental Health.
The young people planned the session together online in advance, with support from War Child and ChangeFactory.
The young people explained the importance of giving children living in war and conflict the opportunity to contribute to the communities in which they live, and how this at the same time helps many children and young people achieve better mental health.
The theme of the conference was: From Response to Resilience: Strengthening Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing Before, During and After Emergencies.
Boosting Norwegian municipalities
When politicians, heads of schools, sport teams or municipalities are making decisions that affect children and young people, they are obliged to take seriously the views of and solutions from groups of the children or young people concerned. This is why Changefactory has conducted BOOST events in several Norwegian municipalities this spring. The aim has been to boost and inspire with knowledge and insights from children.
The decision-makers met with young people in Changefactory to listen to them present and explain solutions from groups of children and young people. When children participate meaningfully, everyone benefits. Involving children in decision-making leads to better solutions and outcomes, both for children and for society.
CIDM platform is launched
Children In Decision-Making is a platform that aims to inspire and support in gathering experiences and advice of groups of children, and use them in decision-making.The platform consists of tools, frameworks and guidance, research and publications, and real-life examples to support children’s participation in decision-making. It supports authorities, public services, and non-governmental organisations. Children in Decision-Making is developed by ChangeFactory, in close collaboration with children and young people, reflecting their viewpoints.
The platform welcomes contributions that can strengthen how children are involved in decision-making, including frameworks, guidance, tools, research, reports, or examples of practice. If you are working on something relevant – or know of something that should be included – we would like to hear from you. Please ensure that what you share has permission to share any content, especially when it involves children.
