The founding members of the PROMISE Barnahus Network have made a notable impact on the spread of Barnahus throughout Europe and are committed to promoting this model of multi-disciplinary and interagency interventions for child victims and witnesses of violence.
They are a mix of Expert, Pilot and Partner countries. Expert countries have steered the EU standard-setting, pilot countries took part in the work, partner countries have implemented the standards on national level with support from PROMISE and co-funded by the European Union.
Bragi Guðbrandsson, Honorary Founding Member. Barnahus initiator, brought the CAC to Iceland and integrated the service into the national welfare and judicial systems.
Council of the Baltic Sea States, Children at Risk Unit. The network is hosted by the CBSS Secretariat and enjoys the support of the Unit, which has acted as the Promise project coordinator since the beginning.
Child Circle, Belgium. A Brussels based centre of expertise on child protection and European measures. Key partner in the conceptualization and execution of PROMISE. Notable contributions include legal guidance and the Barnahus Quality Standards.
Association Social Activities and Practices Institute – SAPI, Bulgaria. Joined PROMISE as a pilot country in 2015. Became a partner in 2017, and now is a founding member of the PROMISE Barnahus Network. Active promoter of Barnahus in their region of Europe.
Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, Croatia. Established 2002. Joined PROMISE as an expert country in 2014. Notable contributions include towards establishing European standards and supporting the generosity and openness of the network.
HFC Hope for Children CRC Policy Center, Cyprus. Joined PROMISE as a pilot country in 2015. Became a partner in 2017, and now is a founding member of the PROMISE Barnahus Network. A leader in best practices in training and dialogue building.
The Havens, NHS Foundation Trust, England. Joined PROMISE as a pilot and expert country in 2016, and now is a founding PROMISE Barnahus Network member. Notable contributions in the medical field.
Finnish institute for health and welfare. Joined as a pilot country in 2015, partner country in 2017, and is a founding member of the PROMISE Barnahus Network. Has piloted PROMISE Hub, the case management software specifically for Barnahus and similar setups.
Barnahus Iceland. The first Barnahus in Europe in 1998, inspired by the CAC. Has been instrumental in the spread of Barnahus in Europe and globally. PROMISE expert country since 2014 and now a founding member of the network.
TUSLA Child and Family Agency, Ireland. Became a pilot country in 2015, a partner country in 2017, and is now a founding PROMISE Barnahus Network member. Notable voice on the importance of study visits and personal connections.
Empowering Children Foundation, Poland. Became a pilot country in 2015, a partner country in 2017, and is now a founding PROMISE Barnahus Network member. Coordinator of the Polish Barnahus network.
Statens barnehus, Norway. Established Barnahus 2007, ~ 11 locations nationally. Started supporting PROMISE actively as an expert country in 2017, and now is a founding member of the PROMISE Barnahus Network.
Barnahus Linköping, Sweden. Launched the first Barnahus in Sweden, second in Europe in 2005. Joined PROMISE as an expert country in 2014 and is now is a founding member of the PROMISE Barnahus Network. Has hosted more study visits than anyone can count!
Stiftelsen Allmänna Barnhuset, Sweden. Makes substantial contributions to the knowledge and education about Barnahus in Sweden and in Europe. A founding member of the PROMISE Barnahus Network, and a key partner in upcoming competence building activities.
Editors note: Bøernehus Sjælland, Denmark accepted their founding membership during 2020. The experience and learning that Bøernehus Sjælland, Denmark has shared with PROMISE over the years has been instructive and inspirational for many up-and-coming Barnahus. Of special note is the Danish Barnahus law, innovations in including medical staff, and of course a number of study visits over the years.
Others who have been instrumental in the development of the network and continue to make important contributions include Barnafrid, Barnahus Stockholm, Kenter, Verwey-Jonker Institute, Terre des Hommes Hungary, Centrs Dardedze, Social Insurance Board of Estonia, World Childhood Foundation, just to name a few.