OUR IMPACT

 

Everything we do is aimed at ensuring that children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it grow up with the bonds they need to become their strongest selves. We work with children, young people and families in more than 130 countries and territories, tailoring our services to the unique needs of individuals and communities. We partner with governments, corporations, individuals and institutions to have the greatest possible impact.

In 2022, we reached 2,548,400 people worldwide. We supported a total of 99,300 families; provided for 69,200 children and young people in a range of care options; responded to 25 emergencies with child protection activities.

 

 

2022 ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS 

105

Countries where we worked towards positive change in policy & practice

99,300

Families supported to stay together

25

Emergencies responded to with child protection activities

138

countries and territories where we worked 

29,800

People reached through youth employability & entrepreneurship training and initiatives

69,200

Children & young people cared for in a range of care options

Annual Report 2022

International Annual Report 2022

YEAR IN REVIEW 2022

YOUTH MESSAGE 2022


SOS Children’s Villages showed me that, with all that I had gone through, life was not all about harshness. I had a smile. They have understood me ... when I have that load off my back, I can now be free. And freedom is what I’m going for.

 
Wairegi, family strengthening programme, Kenya

Our impact can be measured over four key categories: “breaking the cycle” of family separation through care; enabling self-reliance through education and employment; securing a positive and supportive childhood; and empowering children and young people to develop the resilience and support networks they need to set personal goals and move confidently into self-reliant adulthood.

Our 70 years of experience shows that when children in our target group are able to thrive in spite of the traumas they may have endured, they are more likely to contribute positively to their communities and, if they have children, to be good parents themselves. In this way, the work made possible by our many donors and partners not only impacts hundreds of thousands of children and young people today, it also helps to ensure a brighter future for generations to come. Read the 70 Years of Impact report (2019) to find out more.  

'Breaking the cycle' through quality care

The care that former participants have received carries into the next generation: 90% give good care to their own children, breaking the cycle of separation and abandonment

Enabling self-reliance through employment and education

60% of former participants have received education and skills, are succeeding in the job market and earn a decent living

Securing basic needs through a positive and supportive childhood

90% of former participants have adequate accommodation, food security and health, having experienced a positve and supportive childhood

Developing resilience and support networks to move confidently into self-reliant adulthood

80% of former participants are leading happy and self-reliant lives - experiencing social and emotional well-being

Our impact in the lives of individuals

Prevention

In our direct work with families and extended families, we offer a range of services, such as livelihood support, parenting workshops, support in accessing social services, and counselling. Our aim is always to foster the family’s own resilience.In 2022, we achieved a 13% increase in the number of families reached directly.

Protection

High quality care means services that are tailored to the needs of each individual person, context and situation. For the 75% of children and young people in care who have had an experience of trauma, this might involve specially-trained caregivers or extra mental health support. As of the end of 2022, 69 member associations had included specific mental health actions in their national plans.

Advocacy

All children have equal rights to care and protection. Along with partners, we defend and promote these rights on a global, regional, national and community level, striving to improve national child and social protection systems. In 2022, we worked towards positive change in policy and practice in 105 countries.

For example in 2021, in Belgium, we successfully campaigned for passage of the “Siblings Law,” which enshrines in law the right of children not to be separated from their siblings when they are placed in alternative care, as long as it is in their best interests.

Our social return on investment

Results show that we are having a tangible economic impact: for every €1 invested into SOS Children’s Villages' programmes, €5 is returned to society in benefits.

Of course, the primary impact of our work cannot be quantified financially. With children and young people growing up with supportive and caring relationships, they can develop into the strongest version of themselves. The value of this impact cannot be put into numbers. 

Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals 

With over 70 years of expertise in working to ensure children’s rights, we are committed to making the world a better place for children and young people a place where they can grow up to become their strongest selves. We are therefore committed to ensuring that our work contributes to the  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global goals for peace and prosperity adopted by the United Nations in 2015.

Find out more about how we support the SDGs.

ABOUT US

WHAT WE DO

WHERE WE HELP