Children & young people
The Nordic Welfare Centre’s mission is to promote and develop collaboration on a social, sustainable and inclusive Nordic region, a Nordic region that is the best place for children and young people to grow up in.
Our focus is on child and youth policy that promotes children’s and young people’s welfare, sense of belonging and participation in society. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is central to our work. We prioritise knowledge and collaboration about work by the countries to make sure that all children in the Nordic region have the opportunity to develop their abilities and skills on equal terms.
The Nordic Welfare Centre
- compiles and disseminates research,
- describes and analyses policies and initiatives across the Nordic countries, highlights examples of good practice, and
- share news and developments in Nordic and international child and youth policy.
Young people and digital media: Too much focus on protection, too little on influence
Both the public debate and research on children, young people and digital media in the Nordic countries tend to focus on risks such as excessive screen time, harmful content and measures such as age limits for social media. Far less attention is paid to how children and young people can use digital media to participate in democracy online and make their voices heard.
Inequities in services and gaps in support for expectant parents and families with young children
Parents’ mental health during pregnancy and the first years of a child’s life is crucial for the child’s development and long-term mental and physical health and well-being. However, despite a strong evidence base regarding risk and protective factors, access to support varies both geographically and between population groups across the Nordic countries.
Nordic Children’s Ombudspersons: Children must not be forgotten in crisis preparedness
Children’s rights and perspectives are too often overlooked when societies prepare for crises. This is the key message in a new joint statement from the Nordic Children’s Ombudspersons, signed by representatives from across the region.
Related projects
Children & young people
12 February 2026
Inclusive education for children and young people with disabilities in the Nordic region
Children & young people
03 May 2024
Nordic co-operation on children growing up in families with persistently low income
Children & young people
20 April 2024
Nordic co-operation on a safer digital democracy for children and youth
Related publications
