Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

African Talents Foundation (Afrikai Tehetségek Alapítvány)
Registered by the Kecskemét Regional Court on 19 November 2025 · registration number 03-01-0002754 · court reference Pk.60.114/2025/5.
Registered seat: 6300 Kalocsa, Kossuth Lajos utca 12., Hungary
Chair of the board of trustees and legal representative: Roskó-Kovách Ildikó
Adopted: 6 September 2026 · Last reviewed: 6 September 2026 · Next review: September 2027

1. Our Commitment

African Talents Foundation is committed to protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse, exploitation, neglect, violence and harm.

Our work focuses on supporting talented African children and young people, particularly through education, sports and arts development, while also contributing to improving the living conditions and opportunities of disadvantaged and orphaned children.

We believe that every child has the right to grow up in a safe, respectful and supportive environment, regardless of their background, circumstances, gender, nationality, religion, disability or social situation. The safety, dignity and best interests of children are at the heart of our work.

African Talents Foundation applies a “do no harm” approach to all activities involving children and young people. We seek to prevent safeguarding risks wherever possible and to respond appropriately and responsibly when concerns arise.

2. Purpose of this Policy

This policy establishes the principles and standards that guide African Talents Foundation in protecting children who participate in, benefit from, or may otherwise come into contact with our activities. It applies to our activities in Hungary, Africa and any other country in which the Foundation carries out or supports programmes.

It applies to:

• trustees and representatives of the Foundation;
• employees and volunteers;
• interns and other persons working on behalf of the Foundation;
• project staff and programme participants;
• partner organisations and local representatives;
• photographers, media representatives and other external persons involved in Foundation activities;
• any other person whose activities may involve contact with children through the Foundation.

3. Our Safeguarding Principles

The best interests of the child

The best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in decisions and activities concerning children.

Equality and non-discrimination

Every child has an equal right to protection from harm. We do not tolerate discrimination or unequal treatment.

Respect and dignity

Children must always be treated with respect, dignity and care. Their views and feelings are taken seriously in accordance with their age and maturity.

Do no harm

Our activities must not expose children to unnecessary risks or cause physical, psychological, emotional or other harm.

Prevention

We seek to identify and reduce safeguarding risks before activities take place, rather than responding only after harm has occurred.

Accountability

Everyone involved in our work has a responsibility to contribute to a safe environment for children and to raise concerns when something does not appear to be right.

4. Zero Tolerance of Abuse and Exploitation

African Talents Foundation has zero tolerance for any form of child abuse, exploitation, violence, neglect or inappropriate behaviour. This includes, but is not limited to:

• physical abuse;
• emotional or psychological abuse;
• sexual abuse or sexual exploitation;
• neglect;
• bullying or intimidation;
• exploitation of children for financial, personal or organisational benefit;
• inappropriate physical contact;
• inappropriate communication with children;
• discrimination or degrading treatment;
• any behaviour that places a child at unnecessary risk.

Any safeguarding concern will be treated seriously and handled responsibly.

5. Expected Behaviour

All persons representing or working with African Talents Foundation are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children. Adults working with or around children must:

• treat children with dignity and respect;
• behave in an appropriate and professional manner;
• avoid unnecessary physical contact;
• avoid being alone with a child where this can reasonably be avoided;
• communicate with children in an age-appropriate and respectful manner;
• respect children’s privacy and personal boundaries;
• never use humiliating, threatening or degrading language;
• never engage in sexualised communication or behaviour with a child;
• never provide or request inappropriate personal images or information from a child;
• report safeguarding concerns promptly.

No person acting on behalf of African Talents Foundation may use their position of trust or authority to exploit, manipulate or otherwise harm a child.

6. Photography, Video and Children’s Stories

We recognise that photographs, videos and personal stories can help raise awareness of children’s achievements and support fundraising and advocacy. However, children must never be treated merely as subjects for publicity or fundraising.

African Talents Foundation will seek appropriate consent before using identifiable photographs, videos or personal stories of children. When creating or publishing such content, we consider:

• the child’s dignity and privacy;
• the potential risks associated with identifying the child;
• whether the image or story could expose the child to harm, stigma or exploitation;
• whether the content presents the child respectfully and accurately;
• whether the use of the content is genuinely necessary for the Foundation’s legitimate activities.

We avoid publishing unnecessary personal information about children, including precise addresses, private contact details or other information that could compromise their safety. We will never intentionally publish images or stories that humiliate, degrade or exploit a child.

7. Privacy and Personal Information

Children’s personal information must be handled carefully and responsibly. Information collected about children or their families is used only for legitimate purposes connected to the Foundation’s activities, and access to sensitive information is limited to persons who genuinely need it for their responsibilities.

Where personal information, photographs or stories are shared publicly, African Talents Foundation takes reasonable steps to ensure that doing so does not place the child at unnecessary risk.

8. Online Safety and Communication

Safeguarding responsibilities also apply to digital communication and online activities. Staff, volunteers and representatives must maintain appropriate professional boundaries when communicating with children online. Private communication with children through personal social media accounts or private messaging channels should be avoided unless there is a legitimate reason and appropriate safeguards are in place.

Adults must never:

• request inappropriate photographs or videos from children;
• engage in sexualised or inappropriate conversations;
• encourage secrecy from parents, guardians or responsible adults;
• use digital communication to manipulate, threaten, exploit or intimidate a child;
• share a child’s personal information without appropriate justification.

9. Working with Partners and Local Organisations

African Talents Foundation works with local organisations, schools, community representatives, volunteers and other partners in order to achieve its objectives. We expect organisations and individuals working with us to respect the principles set out in this policy, and where appropriate safeguarding responsibilities are addressed in agreements or arrangements with partners and programme providers.

We recognise that safeguarding requirements and child protection systems differ between countries. We therefore consider the local legal, social and operational context when designing and implementing activities, while maintaining our commitment to the fundamental principles set out in this policy.

10. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Anyone who has a concern that a child may be experiencing abuse, exploitation, neglect or another safeguarding risk connected with our activities should report it as soon as possible. You do not need to be certain, and you do not need proof – it is our responsibility, not yours, to look into it.

Concerns may relate to:

• the behaviour of a member of staff or volunteer;
• the behaviour of a partner or other person associated with our activities;
• a situation in which a child may be at risk;
• inappropriate use of a child’s photograph, story or personal information;
• any other situation that may compromise a child’s safety or dignity.

Safeguarding contact
African Talents Foundation – Chair of the Board of Trustees
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If a child is in immediate danger, do not wait for us. Contact the local emergency or child protection authorities without delay. The emergency number is 112 in Hungary and in Nigeria.

We aim to acknowledge every report within five working days and to tell the person who raised it what happens next, as far as confidentiality allows.

11. Confidentiality and Protection from Retaliation

Safeguarding concerns are handled as confidentially as reasonably possible. Information is shared only with persons who need it in order to assess or respond to the concern, subject to applicable legal and safeguarding requirements.

No person will be punished, threatened or disadvantaged for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.

12. Responsibilities

The leadership of African Talents Foundation is responsible for promoting a culture in which child protection and safeguarding are taken seriously. All staff, volunteers, representatives and partners share responsibility for:

• understanding this policy;
• behaving appropriately around children;
• identifying and reducing safeguarding risks;
• reporting concerns;
• cooperating with appropriate safeguarding procedures.

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility and is not limited to one individual or position within the organisation.

13. Safeguarding in Our Programmes

Child safeguarding considerations are integrated into the planning and implementation of our programmes. Where children participate directly in our activities, we consider potential risks and take reasonable measures to reduce them. Particular care is taken when working with children who may be especially vulnerable because of poverty, displacement, disability, family circumstances, lack of parental care or other factors.

Our aim is not only to respond to harm, but to create programmes and environments in which children can participate safely, develop their talents and access opportunities with dignity.

14. Review of this Policy

African Talents Foundation reviews this policy periodically and whenever significant changes occur in our activities, programmes or safeguarding responsibilities. We seek to strengthen our safeguarding practices through experience, learning, feedback and appropriate international standards.

Policy adopted by the Board of Trustees of African Talents Foundation on 6 September 2026. Last reviewed: 6 September 2026. Next scheduled review: September 2027.

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