Memo: The EU Children of Peace projects: how the European Union keeps bringing peace closer to those who need it the most

In 2012, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union for its six decades of service to the advancement of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights.

On the occasion of the ceremony in Oslo on 10 December 2012, the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz announced their decision to dedicate the monetary value of the award to projects supporting children – victims of conflict around the world. The reason for this decision was that every girl and every boy, no matter where they were born, should have the opportunity to develop their talents and grow up in peace.

The European Commission matched the award value with its own funding bringing it to a total of €2 million for 2012 and €4 million for 2013. The European Commission invested this fund in humanitarian aid projects for children in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The past year has seen intensive work developing the projects.

Today (11 October 2013), 28,000 children benefit from these projects in very practical ways: through access to education and child-friendly spaces, so badly needed in conflict zones.

ESO: Background information: Nobel Peace prize money to be given to projects that support children affected by war and conflicts / Statement by President Barroso on the Nobel Peace Prize http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-nobel-peace-prize-money-to-be-given-to-projects-that-support-children-affected-by-war-and-conflicts-statement-by-president-barroso-on-the-nobel-peace-prize/

ESO: Background information: EU Children of Peace initiative: President Barroso announces Nobel Peace Prize projects to help 23,000 children affected by war and conflicts http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-children-of-peace-initiative-president-barroso-announces-nobel-peace-prize-projects-to-help-23000-children-affected-by-war-and-conflicts/

ESO: Background information: EU committed to keeping the peace http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-committed-to-keeping-the-peace/

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