Launched in 2024, the Smart-Ups initiative now brings together around 40 representatives from the business, nonprofit, and public sectors, united by a shared goal: creating emotionally safer environments for children.

One of the most significant outcomes of this collaboration is the Child-Safe Environment Standards (CSES) – a set of seven guidelines designed for institutions and organizations that educate, support, and provide services to children. The standards were developed to be adaptable across a wide range of child-focused settings, including preschools, schools, after-schools centers, and other educational and care institutions. More information about CSES is available in the comments (in Lithuanian).

This year the initiative’s second phase has been completed, during which the standards were piloted in eight schools across Vilnius. Throughout the pilot project, school communities – including students, parents, teachers, administrators, and other staff members – worked together to assess needs, test the standards in practice, and identify effective approaches to building safer environments.

During the pilot review sessions, participants shared results, insights, and challenges encountered while implementing the standards. These experiences will help further refine the model and expand its application.

Together with EIKA Group, ACME Group, and other partners, KFF is proud to be a founding partner of the Smartuoliai network and to support this initiative. We believe that every child deserves to grow up in an environment where they feel safe, heard, and respected.