What we do
Approach
1. Tailored solution
With the help of our local partners, we identify the best way to address a particular need in view of the circumstances of the potential beneficiaries. This is why CAF conducts different types of programmes that correspond to this approach. When children or young adults have the support of a family, we help the family through our Family Micro-Business programme to obtain a sustainable source of income that allows them to provide for the education and welfare needs of the child. Where this is not possible, direct sponsoring of a child or a young adult is possible through our Child Sponsoring programme. Where broader needs are identified in a community, we support community-based projects through our Think Big programme. In order to provide support to sponsored children beyond basic needs and education, as well as to continue our support after they have completed school, we created the Wellbeing and Education Fund (WELED).
2. Partnership and local approach
All projects are designed and run with the collaboration of our local partners, who have extensive experience in the field and in working with the communities concerned. Projects are closely monitored by our local partners throughout their development, providing us with regular reporting.
Once the project has been implemented, the local partner and CAF’s volunteers will jointly evaluate the results of the project in order to draw lessons for future action.
Involving beneficiaries and key stakeholders in the relevant communities in the development of our projects so as to ensure ownership, local support and sustainability is also an important part of our approach.
3. Various support possibilities
The modalities of CAF’s support to a selected project may also vary according to the circumstances of the potential beneficiaries and the donors or sponsors. It can consist of a simple donation, or a loan (with or without interest rate) to be reimbursed (e.g. to a revolving fund available to other children/families in need), or a combination of both. For projects which require significant funds, CAF may combine several sponsors and donors and funding types. A combination of loan, grant and pro bono or in-kind support can be considered. CAF also helps in finding other organisations to support our local partners in their projects.
4. Creating synergies
To the extent possible, support from CAF programmes will complement existing support to address the same needs. CAF support will only be granted when existing programmes from governmental authorities (at central, state, regional or local level) or other organisations (e.g. foundations, big NGOs, etc) are not available or sufficient to provide for the necessary support for the children or young adults.
If you want more information about our approach, please read our General Methodology Description paper here.
Programmes
Children are the Future (CAF) aims to make a modest but concrete contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out the global framework to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030. CAF supports projects for the benefit of children in impoverished communities in India and, since 2015, Cambodia. CAF programmes are aimed at supporting broad Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as. ”End poverty in all its forms everywhere”, “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture”; “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”;”Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”; or “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.
CAF programmes are designed and implemented in collaboration with local partners active in the field who have gained extensive knowledge and experience in working with children and young adults and communities in need in the area where CAF is offering its support.
CAF has three main programmes:
The Family Micro-Business programme (FMB), aimed at helping families obtain the necessary income to ensure the welfare and education of their children or young adults.
The Child Sponsoring programme (CS), aimed at providing direct support for the welfare and education of individual children or young adults.
The Think Big programme (T-Big), aimed at supporting not only one child or family but a whole community. This programme has been designed to contribute to community projects with wider impacts on the living conditions and education of children and young adults, such as building a school, buying a school bus, providing computers for an IT training centre, buying a plot of land for a children’s home, etc.