Child friendly spaces

Organiser 

Save the Children Finland

Summary

Child Friendly Space (CFS) is a method used in humanitarian crises around the world, providing a safe environment for children to participate in structured activities, process past experiences and learn new things. In Finland, Child-Friendly Places are run by Save the Children staff and trained volunteers.

In crisis situations, Save the Children Finland can establish Child Friendly Spaces for children and families. The CFSs support the activities of the authorities, for example in evacuation centers, emergency shelters or reception centers for asylum seekers. When large numbers of Ukrainian refugees fled to Finland in 2022, authorities established reception facilities and services at the harbor of Helsinki. Save the Children provided CFS for children and families to support them at the arrival.

A CFS is a place where children can be children and do things that are specific to them, such as playing games, crafts and generally play under the guidance of safe adults. It provides meaningful activities in children’s lives and strengthens their ability to cope in exceptional circumstances.

All children are welcome in the CFS, regardless of gender, ethnic or cultural background or disability. CFS does not discriminate between children depending on the different parties or nationalities involved in conflicts and crises, but always puts the child first. Volunteers and staff working in the space do not express their own political or religious views.

The activities in the CFSs not only support the psychosocial well-being of the child, but also aims to identify and respond to the needs of the children and if needed refer them for continued support. CFSs also aim to strengthen the capacity of the crisis-affected community to support and protect children. The aim is to help all parties involved to manage and empower themselves and recover in crisis and emergency situations. The intervention is generally short-term and temporary.

Target group

Children and families affected by crises and emergencies in need of support. All children are welcome at the CFSs, regardless of gender, ethnic or cultural background or disability.

Description of activity and expected results and effects

The CFS are based on the ‘Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action’ developed by practitioners, researchers, policy makers and humanitarian workers. Firstly, the activity aims to create opportunities for children to develop, learn, play and strengthen their resilience. Secondly, the program aims to identify and respond to the needs of vulnerable groups of children, such as children with special needs.

The intervention is implemented through play and creative activities. The activities aim to consider children’s development, diverse needs and age distribution.

The aim of the CFS is to support the child’s psychosocial well-being, to protect and guide the child to support and to enable community support. Before starting an activity, an assessment is made to determine whether the activity is suitable for the current emergency situation and for children in need of support.

I have made friends, learned Finnish words and how to make bracelets.
– Child from Ukraine 2022

Theory and knowledge

The CFSs are based on the ‘Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action’ developed by practitioners, researchers, policy makers and humanitarian workers. They are structured according to the guidelines and manuals developed by Save the Children International.

Competences

CFSs are run by Save the Children volunteers and staff. All volunteers working in the CFSs must take an online course about the CFS, they are interviewed, and their criminal records are checked. Save the Children also offers other training for volunteers to increase their skills.

Assessments of providers and views of participants

Volunteers and staff working in the CFSs see the benefits the activities bring and the positive effects it has on the children.

Children and parents are interviewed at regular intervals. They can also give constant feedback via forms in the CFS(separate for adults and children)

The children are generally satisfied with activities and enjoy playing and doing crafts and making new friends. At reception centers the same children often participate in activities every week at, and they wish the CFS would take place more often than once a week.

Their parents consider the activities important and that it is good that children are considered during crisis and emergency situations. Feedback from parents highlights the positive effects of the CFS on their children and how the children eagerly attend the activities.

The enthusiasm and joy of the children feels like dashes of joy and warmth in my own heart.
– CFS volunteer

Evaluation, studies and monitoring

Activities are evaluated internally on a regular basis. The children and their parents have the opportunity to give feedback after each session. In addition, interviews are conducted with both children and their parents when a CFS has been operating for a longer period. After a longer intervention comes to an end, a more detailed evaluation of the activities is also carried out.

Learnings and dissemination

CFSs are widely used by Save the Children in several different countries, where the model used varies form context to context. But the general principles remain the same.

Read more and contact information

https://www.pelastakaalapset.fi/en/domestic-preparedness/

Preparedness team of Save the Children Finland valmius@pelastakaalapset.fi

This text was published 29.11.2025