Children on the Edge

Who we are

Children on the Edge is a child rights organisation created to support the world’s most marginalised children. We currently work with more than 15,000 children in Bangladesh, Uganda, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.

By working alongside communities, we co-design programmes tailored to their specific needs and circumstances, using over 35 years of experience. This has enabled us to transform the lives of children facing some of the most challenging circumstances by creating safe environments where they can thrive.

 When we began, in 1990, the children on the edge we served were those incarcerated and forgotten in Romanian orphanages. Today, the “edge” takes us into refugee camps, warzones and marginalised communities where we support Rohingya and Congolese refugee children, and those facing internal displacement, poverty, and exploitation. 

The geography and circumstances may be different tomorrow, but we’re always ready to go - by invitation only - into marginalised communities where children are affected by poverty, displacement, conflict, and persecution. By creating environments that generate hope, life, colour and fun, we enable children to realise their rights.

Our culture and values

Children on the Edge stands for hope, dignity, justice, and freedom of expression. These values underpin everything we do and every relationship we build. 

We believe in a gritty, practical kind of hope that is activated when marginalised communities take charge of their own futures. When people identify their own problems and lead the solutions, they strengthen the motivation needed to change their communities for good.

People pushed to the edges of society are often told they are worthless, and many eventually believe it. Dignity and justice are non-negotiable in our work. We treat everyone with the respect and equality they deserve. 

Every child has rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), yet these are regularly ignored for those at the margins. We work to ensure that every child understands their rights, and that those around them respect and uphold them.  

We also believe every child deserves the freedom to express themselves. We want to see them grow into vibrant, independent adults who can speak up for themselves and be heard.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Policy Statement 

1.1     Children on the Edge is a child rights organisation created to support the world’s most marginalised children. We currently work with more than 15,000 children in Bangladesh, Uganda, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. 

Over 35 years of experience in more than 18 countries have enabled us to work alongside communities to design programmes that address their specific needs and circumstances. By doing so, we help transform the lives of marginalised children by co-creating protective, nurturing environments in which they can safely live, play, learn, and thrive.

1.2     With equity, diversity and inclusion forming our values, we consistently listen, respond and adapt in rapidly changing environments. The principles of inclusiveness, tolerance and fairness are key to the way we work.

1.3     This policy exists to ensure equitable access to the employment opportunities and working practices at our UK Head Office. It is also the basis for which we engage and work with our international project partners.

1.4     We will not accept unfair discrimination or less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, ethnicity, class, caste, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, immigration status, disability, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity or trade union activity as an employer or in the running of our organisation.  

1.5     This policy is fully supported by COTE’s Board of Trustees, Directors and senior management team who have given clear direction and leadership that promoting equality is a priority.