The most vulnerable and marginalized group in the world

Conservative estimates put the number of street-connected children at over 100 million. They face physical, emotional, sexual violence, abuse, and exploitation daily, often by the very family and authorities who are meant to keep them safe. They are children all too visible to those who mean them harm, but invisible to those meant to protect them.

They often lack awareness of their rights and face barriers to securing them, and struggle to access protection, health, and education services that could keep them safe and healthy.

Children turn to the streets for many different reasons, including violence, poverty, exclusion, natural disasters, migration, and conflict. This number will only rise with the 'triple planetary crisis' of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

CSC: driving change from the streets to the corridors of power

The Consortium for Street Children (CSC) is the only global network organization dedicated to achieving long-term and sustainable change for street children.

We put the child and their rights at the heart of our approach. We recognize street children for the resourceful and resilient children they are, who - given the opportunity - have the potential not just to survive, but to thrive.

With a 30-year track record in catalyzing change for street children, the reach of our mighty team - when combined with the power and footprint of our global network - has spearheaded multiple ground-breaking achievements.

We are a respected advisor to the UN, where we continue to represent the views of street children, and have informed recognized sector standards, through our observational head counting methodology, which has now been used to count over 150,000 children worldwide to ensure they are known and reached by programmes and services.

Join us

Partner with us to protect and empower the most vulnerable children on the planet.

Together, we can ensure street children are seen, heard, and safe.

International Day for Street Children