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Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Last updated: June, 2026

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Hope of Youth is committed to creating safe, respectful, inclusive and supportive environments for all people involved in our activities, especially children, young people and vulnerable participants.

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This Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy applies to all activities organized, hosted, supported or promoted by Hope of Youth, a non-profit civil law company operating as Hope of Youth.

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1. Scope of this policy

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This policy applies to:

  • Participants

  • Minors

  • Young people

  • Volunteers

  • Staff

  • Trainers

  • Facilitators

  • Youth workers

  • External experts

  • Partners

  • Visitors

  • Sending and hosting organisations

  • Anyone involved in our events, projects, trainings, youth exchanges, workshops, online activities or related communications

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This policy applies to both in-person and online environments, including online meetings, messaging groups, email communication, social media, project platforms and digital learning spaces.

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2. Our commitment

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Hope of Youth is committed to:

  • Protecting children, young people and vulnerable persons from harm

  • Promoting dignity, respect and inclusion

  • Preventing abuse, harassment, bullying, discrimination and exploitation

  • Responding seriously to safeguarding concerns

  • Encouraging safe reporting

  • Taking appropriate action when concerns arise

  • Complying with applicable laws, programme rules and partner obligations

  • Supporting safe participation in Erasmus+, European Union and other educational programmes


3. Definitions

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For the purpose of this policy:

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A child or minor is any person under the age of 18.

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A young person may include participants above or below 18, depending on the activity.

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Safeguarding means the actions we take to promote welfare, prevent harm and respond appropriately to concerns.

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Abuse or harm may include physical, emotional, sexual, discriminatory, neglectful, exploitative, online or other harmful behaviour.

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4. Prohibited behaviour

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The following behaviour is strictly prohibited:

  • Physical violence or threats

  • Sexual harassment or sexual misconduct

  • Emotional abuse or humiliation

  • Bullying, intimidation or coercion

  • Discrimination based on race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age or other protected characteristics

  • Hate speech

  • Exploitation or abuse of power

  • Inappropriate contact with minors

  • Unauthorised sharing of private information, photos or videos

  • Grooming or manipulative behaviour

  • Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern

  • Breach of the rules of Hope of Youth, the European Union, Erasmus+, project funders or partner organisations


5. Activities involving minors

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Where minors participate in our activities, Hope of Youth aims to apply additional safeguards, including where appropriate:

  • Parent or guardian consent

  • Clear participant information

  • Appropriate supervision

  • Emergency contact collection

  • Media consent procedures

  • Safe accommodation and activity planning

  • Respectful communication boundaries

  • Additional caution with photos, videos and online contact


6. Travel, accommodation and mobility activities

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For youth exchanges, trainings, Erasmus+ mobility projects or activities involving accommodation or travel support, Hope of Youth will aim to ensure that:

  • Participants receive clear information before participation

  • Accommodation arrangements are appropriate and safe

  • Emergency contact procedures are available

  • Participants understand behavioural expectations

  • Safeguarding concerns can be reported

  • Trainers, facilitators, volunteers and staff are aware of their responsibilities

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Where travel is arranged by participants or sending organisations, Hope of Youth may provide support and guidance but is not automatically responsible for every travel arrangement unless expressly agreed.

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7. Online safeguarding

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This policy also applies to online spaces, including:

  • Online workshops

  • Video calls

  • WhatsApp or messaging groups

  • Email communication

  • Social media groups

  • Project collaboration platforms

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Participants and team members must behave respectfully online and must not share private, offensive, abusive, sexual, discriminatory, violent or harmful content.

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8. Reporting a safeguarding concern

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Anyone may report a safeguarding concern, including participants, parents, guardians, staff, volunteers, partners or third parties.

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Safeguarding concerns may be reported to:

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Legal representative: Marios Papadakis
Email: legal@hopeofyouth.org

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Reports may be made by email or through any other available communication channel. Where possible, reports should include:

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  • What happened

  • When and where it happened

  • Who was involved

  • Whether anyone is at immediate risk

  • Any supporting information

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Anonymous reports may also be submitted. Anonymous reports will be taken seriously, although they may be more difficult to investigate fully.

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9. Response to concerns

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When a safeguarding concern is received, Hope of Youth may:

  • Assess immediate risk

  • Take steps to protect the person concerned

  • Speak with relevant persons, where appropriate

  • Record the concern securely

  • Involve the legal representative and/or legal adviser

  • Contact parents/guardians, where appropriate and safe

  • Contact authorities, emergency services or competent bodies where required

  • Suspend or remove a person from an activity if necessary

  • Take disciplinary or legal action where appropriate


10. Confidentiality

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Safeguarding concerns will be treated with care and confidentiality.

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Information will be shared only with persons who need to know in order to protect individuals, investigate concerns, comply with legal obligations or take appropriate action.

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11. Consequences of breach

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A breach of this policy may result in:

  • Warning

  • Removal from an activity

  • Exclusion from accommodation or event spaces

  • Suspension from projects

  • Exclusion from future activities

  • Notification to partner or sending organisations

  • Notification to authorities, where required

  • Legal action, where appropriate

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In serious cases, immediate exclusion or urgent action may be taken without prior warning.

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12. Review

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This policy may be reviewed and updated as our activities, legal obligations or safeguarding practices develop.

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