Luxembourg joins EU Children of Peace initiative

Today, on the first anniversary of the creation of EU Children of Peace, Luxembourg is the first Member State to join the EU Children of Peace initiative, the lasting legacy of the Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded to the EU in 2012. The initiative funds humanitarian projects helping children in conflict zones to gain access to education.

The EUR 500 000 contributed by Luxembourg, will be used to enlarge the EU's support to projects implemented under the umbrella of EU Children of Peace. By providing children with spaces where they can learn, play, grow and heal from the trauma of war, these projects protect them from conflicts and from being recruited as child soldiers.

"I warmly welcome the decision of Luxembourg to join this important initiative which reaches out to tens of thousands of the most vulnerable in any crisis and conflict – children", said Kristalina Georgieva, Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, who is leading the initiative.

"By providing boys and girls with access to education even in the most difficult circumstances, we give them opportunities to develop their talents, fulfil their ambitions and acquire the tools they need to help building a conflict-free future. I invite all member states to follow the example of Luxembourg and to join us in our effort to prevent the conflicts of today from destroying the generation of tomorrow."

During the past year, more than 28 000 children from Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Columbia, Ecuador and Syrian refugee children in Iraq have received support through the EU Children of Peace initiative.

In 2014, nine of the European Commission's humanitarian partner organisations will participate in the second phase of the EU Children initiative and help more than 80 000 children affected by war. They will provide schools, child-friendly spaces, psychological support, school materials and uniforms to support girls and boys in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, the Central African Republic, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Myanmar, Colombia and Ecuador.

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