Once again, Världens Barn has raised money for children's rights all over the world and this year Erikshjälpen has also contributed in its own way.
For 26 years, Radiohjälpen's fundraising campaign Världens Barn has raised funds to help children in vulnerable situations around the world. For 24 of these years, Erikshjälpen has walked along the side of the fundraising campaign and donated a day's takings from all Second Hand shops and e-commerce to the fundraising campaign. For the fourth year in a row, Erikshjälpen is also breaking records for its fundraising with more than 3.7 million Swedish kronor (SEK) for the benefit of Världens Barn.
This would not have been possible without the great commitment that exists in all our stores for Världens Barn. So many nice local elements to support the collection have occurred around our stores and secondhand.se
On Saturday, October 7, there was great engagement with various activities in Erikshjälpen's Second Hand shops. Children and adults alike flocked in for everything from sausage grilling and face painting to bargain shopping in the store or to have a cinnamon bun in Uncle Erik's café. The joy and warmth were great this day as all purchases went to the collection and the children had a pleasant time.
Tens of millions doubled
The collection for Världens Barn continues throughout the year, but during the campaign week, week 40, the collection reached a high note. During the TV gala, which took place on Saturday, the result rose to 72 million Swedish kronor (SEK). Already the next day, the sum had reached 77.6 million Swedish kronor (SEK).
This year's campaign is also special because the charity organization Akelius Foundation is doubling the donations that come in until 31 October. This makes it possible for more children to take part in the projects and interventions that Erikshjälpen, among others, is doing with its share of the funds raised.
Erikshjälpen's involvement in radio and TV
Erikshjälpen, one of 13 aid organizations participating in the collection, has been seen and heard in several places during the collection campaign.
P4's reporter Lasse Persson was on site in Cambodia at Erikshjälpen's partner to take part in what is done with some of the money collected and what difference the money makes in the lives of children. Listen to some of the features that were made.
Working to stop violence against students: "Their dreams will come true"
P4 Extra The feature with Lasse Persson about Erikshjälpen runs between about 20:20 - 24:40 in the broadcast.
Lasse Persson, left, during the visit to Cambodia.
Lasse Persson, left, during the visit to Cambodia.
Erikshjälpen's Secretary-General Daniel Grahn participated in the TV broadcast and talked about Erikshjälpen's work, where a film from the operations in Ukraine was also shown.
Together for the Children of the World Daniel Grahn and Erikshjälpen are on air between 43:20 and 55:20.
Daniel Grahn, far left, in the SVT broadcast.
Daniel Grahn, far left, in the SVT broadcast.
The world's biggest thank you to you who contributed to Erikshjälpen being able to give over 3.7 million Swedish kronor (SEK) to the collection for Världens Barn. Together you are making a difference for children. And the world they dream of.
Author: Anthon Talhaug
On Children's Convention Day, Monday 20 November 13:00-17:00, Erikshjälpen organizes a children's rights conference in collaboration with Jönköping University and the County Administrative Board of Jönköping County. How do we create equal growing conditions for all children? is the question that the conference focuses on.
All children are equally valuable and should have the same rights. At the same time, the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child show systematic shortcomings in Sweden regarding the integration of a child rights-based approach and child participation.
During the Children's Rights Conference in Jönköping, Sweden, Children's Ombudsman Elisabeth Dahlin, researcher Frida Lygnegård and children's rights consultant Åsa Ekman will focus on children's right to safe and equal conditions for growing up. Together with expert panels, they will discuss what Sweden needs to do better to implement the UN's recommendations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Programme Children's Rights Conference 20 November 2023
Date: November 20, 13.00-17.00 (mingle and mini-expo 12.00-13.00)
Place: Aula at the School of Education and Communication, Jönköping University, Gjuterigatan 5, 553 18 Jönköping.
Registration: The deadline for registration is November 10, 2023. Registration is done via registration form
Last Friday, September 29, the start of this year's fundraising week for Världens Barn took place. For 22 years now, Erikshjälpen has been involved in donating a whole day's worth of money to the collection and this year is no exception.
Världens Barn is Radiohjälpen's fundraising for all children's right to safety, health and school. The fundraising is done in collaboration with Swedish Television, Swedish Radio and 14 civil society organizations, including Erikshjälpen.
For Erikshjälpen, it is a matter of course to contribute to the collection for Världens Barn. Since 2000, Erikshjälpen has contributed in a unique way, namely by donating an entire day's takings from all second-hand shops. Last year, the sum amounted to more than 3.4 million Swedish kronor (SEK).
This Saturday, October 7, you have the opportunity to contribute to the collection by shopping in one of Erikshjälpen's second-hand shops. That's when we donate the entire day's cash! Many stores will also have extra activities.
And this year, your action is more important than ever. The charity Akelius Foundation will contribute by doubling the money raised for Världens Barn until October 31. So every krona raised is two Swedish kronor (SEK) until then.
On the Världens Barns website you can read more about what the money from the fundraising goes to. The common goal is to raise money for projects around the world to promote children's rights.
The money is enough, varldensbarn.se
Each organization that participates has a special project that is highlighted each year. This year, Erikshjälpen is highlighting a project in Cambodia to help children grow up without violence. In particularly vulnerable areas of Cambodia, violence is part of everyday life, mainly due to poverty and ignorance. There, Erikshjälpen provides support in schools and in parent clubs that make a difference for children to grow up in a world without violence.
Read about Erikshjälpen's project here: A childhood without violence
Author: Martina Bohl
In a project dealing with disaster risk management and climate adaptation, Erikshjälpen supports the work with safe areas in Kampong Chhnang province in Cambodia to ensure that children are better protected.
In central Cambodia, communities are heavily affected by climate change and many affected communities fall into severe poverty. One of these communities is in Kampong Chhnang province where Erikshjälpen, together with local partners, works to ensure children's right to safety, protection and education in disaster-affected areas.
During our visit to Cambodia, we met with children, parents, leaders and other local officials to learn more about how poor communities are affected by natural disasters and climate change.
In Kampong Chhnang, work is underway on so-called safe areas. This is to ensure that children are better protected during the rainy season, floods and other disasters. The safe area is located three to four meters above the village level and serves as a safe gathering place during disasters. To ensure the children's right to education, there is also a newly built kindergarten and school. It has also secured access to clean water, built new toilets and created a safe place for children to play.
We were able to listen to the children's thoughts and this is perhaps the most important thing we will take with us in our future work.
Erikshjälpen makes regular visits to partner organisations to support and strengthen and as part of the work to ensure that collected funds and gifts reach the children. The visits are often made by staff at regional offices around the world, but sometimes staff from Sweden also participate.
Author: Anton Eriksson
First, an intense heatwave. Then heavy rain. Northern India has been hit by severe flooding, causing enormous destruction and up to 200 deaths. Erikshjälpen is providing assistance to affected households through the local partner organization EFICOR.
In July, monsoon rains swept across northern India. The period is expected to last until September and rainfall is extremely important for Indian agriculture. But with the rains come floods, and the consequences are often devastating, with deaths and communities completely destroyed.
This is the current situation in northern India. Here, the weather has become increasingly extreme in recent years and this year's monsoon rains came after a long and intense heatwave. The result was quickly catastrophic, with several landslides and severe flooding. The worst affected areas are those along India's major rivers, where people have been forced to flee their homes empty-handed and seek temporary shelter in makeshift tents.
Support package for almost 600 households
Up to 200 deaths have been reported from six states, while destroyed houses, bridges and roads have devastated both smaller villages and larger communities. Erikshjälp's local partner organization EFICOR was quickly on the ground in the areas of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi to provide both emergency assistance and financial support to the affected households.
Erikshjälpen is contributing to an effort focused on families affected by flooding along the Yamuna River in East Delhi. Here, support packages with food, tools and shelter materials have been distributed to almost 600 households - mainly to vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities, widows and single women. It is hoped that another 300 households in Delhi will receive relief packages in the coming weeks.
Hope of moving back home
Since EFICOR started the operation in mid-July, more than 1,700 households have received assistance in the form of support packages or financial support. Help that gives hope to the affected families. Hope to overcome all the challenges brought by the floods and hope to eventually move back to their homes. For EFICOR, work continues in the affected areas and the aim is to reach a total of 5,000 households in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.
Author: Johan Larsson
Creativity is important to Gustav and has somehow always been there. He got it and his love for second hand from his mother, his upbringing and his childhood home. As a creator, he wants to shift the focus and show that there are other values in shopping and thinking sustainably. Gustav Broström is Sweden's Second Hand Profile 2023.
- Gustav Broström is a role model and a source of inspiration that opens more eyes to second hand and shows that it is for everyone! With our award, we want to show appreciation for the work he does and send encouragement for the future, says Anette Alm Gustafsson, Executive Director of Erikshjälpen Second Hand.
Gustav is 32 years old, born and raised in Stockholm. He has a background in journalism, fashion, skincare, design and advertising. He lives in Kungsholmen with his partner Hugo.
Gustav runs the Instagram account "Gustavsrum". It brings together both those who already love second hand and those who are new to the second hand market. Gustav has made a name for himself for his inspiring second-hand finds and appears both on TV and writes for the magazine Antik och Auktion.
The Instagram account became its own community
"Gustavsrum" is Gustav's social media space. There he shares his expertise in design and interior design and creates content with a strong focus on sustainable finds and reuse. He shows off his home, where he mixes objects from Svenskt Tenn and other design classics in beautiful still lifes, but also different types of reuse projects, tips on table settings and simple everyday objects that can easily be found second hand.
- I think there is as much joy in reading and gaining knowledge as there is in inspiring and sharing it. I want to inspire people to make something big out of something small.
Through his community, Gustav has made contact with many other creators who are also inspired to give things new uses and run various projects that create commitment to second hand and reuse.
- There is so much more to second-hand than just expensive teacups. You can buy bedding, plant dye and sew a new sofa cover. You can repaint lampshades and rebuild things," says Gustav.
How he became Sweden's Second Hand profile
Gustav Broström was one of three finalists nominated for the award Sweden's Second Hand Profile 2023. Next to him were the profiles Sara Wimmercranz and Emelie Norberg. Winning the award was something that made Gustav both proud and moved.
- It feels very unreal, but I was very happy and touched when I got the news. Especially when I heard that there were so many nominations and votes. It's great that you manage to reach out to people. I am moved and filled with joy and gratitude," he says.
Erikshjälpen's motivation for the win
He is a collector of beautiful things who has inspired thousands through his dedication. In his home, he mixes Swedish pewter with recycled and unusual ceramics. In a playful way, he shows that home-made decorations and design classics can go hand in hand and that everything from candles to furniture can be found on the second-hand market.
On his Instagram account "Gustavsrum", Gustav Broström shows how enjoyable it is to consume sustainably. By being a never-ending source of inspiration and knowledge, he opens more eyes to second hand and reuse. Gustav proves that second hand is for everyone, and thanks to him more stuff gets loved again.
Childhood home is a great inspiration
When Gustav was growing up, his mother bought a lot of second-hand clothes for her children. For them, visiting flea markets and second-hand shops was a way to socialize. Gustav is still inspired by his childhood home.
- We had a fairly ordinary but very cozy home, filled with textiles from Svenskt Tenn, which my mother sewed pillows, coasters and bedspreads from. That's where my love for Svenskt Tenn comes from, but also for crafts and the "Do it yourself" spirit.
Photographer: Mira Wickman
Gustav's mother taught him that a home doesn't have to be perfect, as long as it brings joy. To have a pleasant home, you have to dare to try.
- Buy that weird vase in the shape of a pineapple, that giant painting or that really weird mirror and try it. I challenge myself with that all the time. A home is never finished. There is a joy in trying new things, changing and learning more," says Gustav.
How to switch to shopping more second-hand
Gustav's best advice for switching to second-hand shopping is to plan your visits and visit second-hand shops frequently.
- It is difficult to make a financial profit on the second-hand market today. But there are other values - a slower pace, the everyday joy the object brings, the journey of the object and what the object symbolizes, for example," says Gustav and continues.
- I might buy a saucer in January but not find the matching cup until December. That wait gives the object a different value.
The profit is donated to Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad
As the winner, Gustav will receive Swedish kronor (SEK) 25,000 to donate to one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights. The choice fell on Erikshjälpen's work with equal growing conditions, with a focus on Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad. Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad creates participation among children and young people in Sweden, through safe and creative meeting places around the country, run in collaboration with local actors.
- Growing up, I had the privilege of playing soccer, going to scouts, and acting. I want to believe that these contexts helped shape me as a person, and for that I am incredibly grateful. Therefore, I choose to support Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad because I believe in the power of creativity, having somewhere to be and that everyone should have equal conditions in society.
- By providing a physical space and activities, Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad creates meaningful contexts. It is invaluable, says Gustav.
About the Second Hand Profile of the Year award
Every year, Erikshjälpen Second Hand awards the Swedish Second Hand Profile to someone who, through their commitment, contributes to an increased interest in second hand and its possibilities. It can be about innovative ideas, creative solutions or smart environmental work through reuse.
The recipient of the Sweden's Second Hand Profile award receives a diploma and a statuette, as well as the right to award one of Erikshjälpen's projects for children's rights equivalent to 25,000 Swedish kronor (SEK).
Listening Following Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, almost 2 million children are in need of Humanitarian Assistance. Many children are fleeing alone, through unsafe and dangerous environments. Erikshjälpen is involved in relief efforts to support children and families in Ukraine - those who have crossed the country's borders and those who remain.
How we support refugees
We provide immediate assistance to displaced people, with a particular focus on the situation of children - how they can be protected if they are separated from their families, separated from their parents or when institutions are evacuated.
We have been working for many years in Ukraine's neighbors Romania and Republic of Moldova, with one of our Regional offices located in Romania. Together with local partner organisations and staff on the ground, we provide support to families coming across the border from Ukraine.
Our interventions are implemented in different phases. We divide the interventions to provide sustainable help over a longer period of time.
We give refugees the information they need
We help Ukrainian refugees register and provide them with the information they need, from safe transportation to their rights. We do this to reduce the risks that increase during flight, such as trafficking.
We offer psychosocial support in safe reception centers
In Republic of Moldova , we provide psychosocial support and safe children's activities in reception centers for Ukrainian refugees. In our reception centers, many minors have crossed the border without parents or other guardians and lack documentation.
We help refugee families stay connected
In Romania, Erikshjälpen focuses on social support for children and families crossing the border and has also started working with organisations specializing in translation, into Ukrainian and Russian.
Through a collaboration with NetOnNet in Sweden, Erikshjälpen, through its partner, can provide several reception centers in Romania with chargers for mobile phones - something that many of the refugees forgot in the flight but which is necessary to keep in touch with family members and friends who remain in Ukraine.
We support Ukrainian refugees in Sweden
Refugee children and families are welcome to attend Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad , which is located in several places in Sweden. Here you can participate in activities that are designed together with other children and families in the locality for increased cohesion, networking and personal development. We offer the initiatives in collaboration with local actors from both authorities and civil society.
How we support those who remain
Our interventions inside Ukraine aim to help and support children and families who are forced to seek shelter or live as internally displaced persons. Our partner on the ground is working to provide those in need with food, water, blankets, clothing and other necessities. We also provide psychosocial support and social assistance to affected people - directly on the ground but also by phone and online.
Many of the internally displaced are children and young people. They are forced into difficult routes, with unsafe transportation and accommodation. We are working to strengthen their protection, with the help of our local partners, who are working on the ground to meet the unique needs of each child.
Author: Elin Jonsson
Erikshjälpen works to enable more girls to go to school, to give them the opportunity to influence their lives and their future. During the International Education Day on January 24, we highlight our work in Bangladesh, which is one of the projects in the Postcode Lottery's major thematic initiative for girls' education.
260 million children worldwide do not attend school, despite the fact that all children have the right to do so. Of the children who miss out on schooling, girls are clearly overrepresented. Erikshjälpen is working in many ways to change this.
In the coastal areas of Bangladesh, poverty is enormous. The situation means that child labor, school dropout, child marriage and migration due to climate change are a major part of children's daily lives. The government schools that currently exist are inadequate and it is difficult to recruit teachers. Many girls drop out of school after grade five.
From dropout to hope
In the summer of 2022, we launched a three-year project in two of Bangladesh's poorest coastal districts - where the first steps were taken to build eight new schools. The project "From dropout to hope", Erikshjälpen does together Codec and Friendship - two local partner organisations.
The work is funded by the Postcode Lottery, where Erikshjälpen is one of seven organisations that together have received Swedish kronor (SEK) 50 million to promote girls' right to education. Read more about the Postcode Lottery's thematic initiative here.
This is what we do in the project
- We are building eight schools for grades six to eight (equivalent to secondary school).
- Schools are placed close to children's homes to prevent school drop-out.
- The schools are being built with sustainable technology and solar panels, to enable digital education via monitors by some of Dhaka's best teachers.
- We allow children to participate in children's rights groups where their confidence is strengthened, so that they can grow as individuals and learn to stand up for themselves.
- We will increase the preparedness of families in relation to climate change and severe weather changes.
- We advocate in the area, so that the adult world takes girls' right to education seriously.
In this work, the future students are part of the project, and we will follow them on their path to education. They will be involved in discussions about the building and participate in workshops where they can dream and plan together. 
The whole community benefits from girls' right to education
Investing in girls' education is investing in whole communities. More children have more choices, can get jobs and become more independent. This is vital for them, their families and the communities around them.
This week, the Green Party's spokesperson Märta Stenevi visited Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop in Gränby, Uppsala. The young people in the Future Workshop presented their activities and got to ask Märta questions on various topics, such as injustices in public transport and the growing mental illness among young people.
- "It was incredibly inspiring to hear about Erikshjälpen's work in Gränby. They work broadly to give children, young people and parents a sense of participation and self-determination in their neighborhood, says Märta.
In Gränby, many children and young people feel that there is a strong negative image of the area and those who live there. Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop has become a platform where young people can make their voices heard to the public and decision-makers.
- "Young people being more involved in how neighborhoods are developed makes them more inclusive, safe and vibrant," says Hanna Löfstrand, Head of Unit for Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop.
If we are to break the negative criminal spiral, resources need to be deployed early on from various sources, so that children who are hurting at home or have fallen into trouble are caught.
About Erikshjälpen Framtidsverkstad in Gränby
Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop in Gränby started in the spring of 2021. Today there are many different activities for both girls and boys. Such as different types of groups in dance, boy and girl groups, nature and culture, but they have also started to organize camps for the young people.
- "We also have a positive collaboration with the municipality with vacation youth, which is now entering its third year," says Hanna Löfstrand. "This year, the focus is on activities for children at various leisure activities that will give young people increased knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of the Child based on Erikshjälpen's material, 'Barnrättsäventyret'.
Märta Stenevi had time to talk to the young people in Gränby. It was a conversation that covered everything from injustices in
public transport to the increase in mental health problems among young people.
Engaging conversations on injustice and mental health
When Erikshjälpen's Future Workshop and the young people had talked about the activities in Gränby, it was time for the young people to ask Märta Stenevi questions. It was a good conversation that dealt with everything from injustices in public transport to the increased mental illness among young people.
- During the spring, I have traveled around the country and met with police officers, teachers, social workers and actors from civil society who all work with young people, says Märta Stenevi and continues:
- Everyone says the same thing. If we are to break the negative criminal spiral, resources need to be deployed early on from various sources, so that children who are hurting at home or have fallen into trouble are caught.
