International Development Grant
Prevention of Association (re-association) of Children with Armed Groups and Radical Elements
Project Number: CA-3-D004599001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $918,832.00
Start Date: March 29, 2017
End Date: March 31, 2019
Duration: 2.0 years
Project Description
The project aims to address the needs and aspirations of children affected by conflict in Mindanao. Mindanao is one of the longest-running conflicts in the world with the armed conflict between Muslim groups seeking self-determination and the Government of the Philippines. The project focuses its support on children formerly associated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and children in MILF communities at risk of association or re-association with armed groups. Project activities include: (1) helping children to recover from the stress of being exposed to violence both as witnesses and perpetrators; (2) avoiding children’s future engagement in violence including association with other armed groups; and (3) guiding children to take up positive peaceful and non-military roles within their families and communities. The project is implemented in collaboration with MILF the Government of the Philippines and Mindanao-based civil society organizations.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved capacities of Mindanao social services providers and strengthened child protection systems; and (2) improved abilities of Mindanao communities to prevent disengaged and at-risk children from associating with armed groups and extremist militants while promoting a culture of peace and non-violence.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (March 2020) include: (1) Canada successfully supported UNICEF's efforts to eliminate the recruitment and use of child soldiers by the Moro-Islamic Liberation Front (MILF); (2) 1 869 children were disengaged from the armed forces of the MILF in 2016 to 2017 and the MILF was subsequently de-listed from the UN’s list of parties committing grave children’s rights violations in armed conflict; (3) 737 children under the age of 18 (of which 245 were girls) of the total 1 869 children were assessed by social workers visiting their homes in 2019; (4) as of February 14 2020 all 737 children were located and UNICEF has verified that none of them have re-associated with any armed groups; (5) 112 local government unit social workers and 102 para-social workers were trained on psycho-social support services; and (6) 3 125 religious leaders across 25 areas were trained to disseminate key child protection messages.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Foreign Affairs and Trade Gs&Cs