Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU)
What is CGU?
The Council of Europe Consultation Group on the Children of Ukraine (CGU) is a multilateral platform that brings together representatives from member states, international organisations, civil society, and independent experts. Its mission is to support professionals working for and with the children of Ukraine affected by Russia’s war of aggression, to ensure that their rights are upheld. Throughout its first mandate, it revealed itself as an important peer-review platform and rapid response mechanism, fostering discussions on the most acute issues facing the children of Ukraine, whether they are in Ukraine, Council of Europe member states or have returned following unlawful deportation to Russia, Belarus or are residing in temporarily occupied territories.
In May 2023, the Heads of State and Government of Council of Europe member states underlined in their Declaration on the situation of the children of Ukraine (Appendix II of the Reykjavík Declaration) “the need to intensify efforts, at all levels of governance” to ensure “the effective protection of the rights of children of Ukraine” in accordance with “the applicable Council of Europe standards”.
To this end, they called on the Council of Europe “to facilitate co-operation between States, the European Union and relevant international organisations, through an appropriate mechanism”, a call that laid the foundation for the creation of the CGU.
When was the CGU established?
As a practical implementation of the Reykjavík Declaration, the CGU was formally launched in Strasbourg on 30 November 2023. Its first mandate, which came to an end on 31 July 2025, has been renewed until 31 December 2026.
What is the CGU’s mandate?
The CGU’s activities aim to uphold the rights of the children of Ukraine in all Council of Europe member states, including Ukraine, hosting children of Ukraine who have been evacuated or who have fled Russia’s war of aggression. They also address the plight of unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred children who have returned to Ukraine or another Council of Europe member state, notably as regards the deep trauma experienced.
What is the composition of the CGU?
The CGU comprises national experts from 41 Council of Europe member states, mainly from Ministries of Social Affairs, but also from Ministries of Justice or Interior. Other strategic partners include the European Commission, FRA, EU Asylum Agency, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, UNHCR, UNICEF ECARO, the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH), and relevant international, European and Ukrainian civil society members.
How does the CGU work?
The CGU employs a thematic working method, bringing together members, participants and independent experts to foster co-operation, share expertise, good practices, and conduct peer reviews. In addition to regular plenary meetings, the CGU fosters dialogue through thematic dialogue group meetings, special hearings on urgent matters, and bilateral co-operation meetings among its members. These efforts guide state practice and offer practical guidance to professionals in line with existing international and European standards.
What is CGU?
Why does the CGU exist?
When was the CGU established?
What is the CGU’s mandate?
What is the composition of the CGU?
How does the CGU work?
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Transversal approach
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