About the Collective
Bal Surakha Collective is a collaborative network of former Childline partners geared towards implementing community-based child protection prevention and child well-being programs for children.
The aim is to devise community-led solutions that build a nurturing ecosystem around children, not only to ensure their safety and security but also to facilitate unhindered access to public systems and services, strengthen families, and advance children and young people’s well-being and best interests.
At the heart of child protection work is change in attitudes, behaviour and eventually societal norms. Child protection is a constant ‘work in progress’ towards expanding horizons of what a society considers to be safe and protected childhoods.
Our Vision
An ecosystem where every child and youth is protected, safe and thriving.
Our Mission
By 2035 empower communities to ensure a holistic development, protection and well-being ecosystem for 170 million vulnerable children and youth across India.
A Shared History. A Collective Future.
Our Genesis
For decades
Civil society organisations worked with children and communities, many as part of the CHILDLINE 1098 network
2023
CHILDLINE 1098 was adopted into the Government of India’s National Emergency Response System
2024-2025
Members came together to refect. consult and explore how to continue their collective contribution to child protection
Feb - May 2025
Working groups formed, and the Bal Suraksha Collective was established
2025 onwards
A growing network committed to community – led child protection and well being
For decades, civil society organisations across India have worked alongside children, families and communities to respond to situations of abuse, exploitation, neglect and vulnerability. Many of these organisations were part of the CHILDLINE 1098 network, bringing deep experience, local knowledge and trusted relationships to the child protection ecosystem.
In 2023, the transition of CHILDLINE 1098 into the Government of India’s emergency response system marked a significant turning point for this network.
It also opened an opportunity to reimagine how this collective experience could contribute to the future of child protection in India.
Recognising that protecting children requires more than responding after harm has occurred, organisations began exploring how they could work together to strengthen prevention at the community level.
Through consultations, shared reflection and collective planning, this vision gradually took shape as the Bal Suraksha Collective — a network committed to building community-led systems that prevent harm, strengthen families and enable children to grow up in safe and nurturing environments.
The Collective carries forward the knowledge and experience of its members while creating new opportunities for collaboration, learning and collective action.
A Network of Equals, Working Towards a Shared Purpose
Our Structure
The Bal Suraksha Collective is built on the belief that meaningful and lasting change emerges through collaboration.
Its members bring diverse experiences, expertise and local perspectives, united by a shared commitment to children’s rights, protection and well-being.
The Collective operates as a collaborative network, with members contributing to shared priorities, decisions, knowledge and action.
The governance of the Bal Suraksha Collective consists of a Secretariat guided by a Steering Committee and will subsequently have State Chapters and Working Groups. The Secretariat is presently hosted by Childline India Foundation & Leher and supported by UNICEF.
The Secretariat
The secretariat would be rotational in nature & report to the Steering Committee. The tenure of the first Secretariat would be 5 years, hosted by Leher.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee provides strategic directions and guidance to the Bal Suraksha Collective. It consists of practitioners with diverse experience of working on child protection issues and knowledge on the care and protection of children in different settings in India. The members of the Steering Committee act as ambassadors of the Network & amplify its voice.
Values & Principles of the collective
Identity and Visibility
- Former CHILDLINE partners united by shared values and prevention-focused principles.
- Preserve a strong Collective identity while respecting distinct organisational identity.
- Operate as an unregistered collective
Collaboration and Partnership
- Trust-based collaboration rooted in shared history and collective experience.
- Members steer priorities and decisions in children’s best interests.
- One Common Action Programme – unified framework, principles, actions, and mission-driven
- Collaboration beyond funding.
- Co-create programmes, share resources, scale best practices
Accountability and Transparency
- Mandatory sharing of all funds raised/used for Collective activities
- Regular documentation and data sharing by partners on outreach, actions, and outcomes.
- Use combined evidence to build a strong joint success narrative
Equality and Equity
- All partners’ perspectives are given equal importance, ensuring inclusive decision-making and honouring every partnership.
- A firm commitment to equality, dignity, and safe platforms for all children to ensure equitable access to protection and services.
- Proactive identification of children needing special support, applying an equity lens and customized interventions