During the Safety nets for young people's futures ESF+ programming period, several projects aimed at reforming child protection services have already been launched, and additional projects are still starting.

By april of 2026, a total of 41 project entities had begun, comprising 44 projects, including sub-projects. A total of EUR 16 million has been allocated to regional projects.

Key considerations in the regional projects

Projects are implemented within one or more wellbeing services counties (at county level, inter-county or cross‑regional). Wellbeing services counties are legally responsible for organising child protection services and therefore play a central role in reforming child protection.

Development is carried out together with children, young people, families and professionals by experimenting with and developing new solutions in everyday practice. A broad range of all actors involved in child protection as well as stakeholders are invited to participate in the reform of child protection so that child protection can be renewed in an innovative way and in line with the needs of children, young people and families.

Projects must address the strategic objectives and meet the characteristics of a social innovation. In each funding call, the application criteria are defined in more detail.

More information on projects

All projects that have received a funding decision, including contact details, can be found in the EURA 2021 project information service in English by selecting it the language menu.
Project information service for European Union's region and structure policy for program period 2021–2027 (EURA2021)

Up‑to‑date information on projects and project cards can be found on the website of the Central Union for Child Welfare in Finland.
Regional projects (in Finnish, Lastensuojelun keskusliitto)

Projects that have received a funding decision: