Global Child Forum

What Global Child Forum does

Global Child Forum is a Swedish non-profit foundation established in 2009 by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, headquartered at Slottsbacken 8, 111 30 Stockholm. Operating with 11-50 employees, the foundation functions as an independent, global multi-stakeholder platform advancing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by equipping companies, investors, and decision-makers with research, benchmarking, and dialogue platforms. Its central proposition is that children are largely invisible in corporate strategy, risk, and board-level decision-making, and that standardized, comparable data is required to make them visible.

The foundation's product portfolio centers on the Global Benchmark — the world's largest dedicated benchmark on corporate children's rights performance, covering 1,806 companies across 8 sectors and 6 regions in 2025 with longitudinal data extending back to 2013 — and the Children's Rights and Business Atlas, a geographical risk tool launched in June 2026 covering 194 countries, 11 children's rights issues, and 173 indicators across Workplace, Marketplace, and Community & Environment indexes. Supporting assets include the Corporate Playbook (co-developed with LEGO Group for ESRS reporting), the Workbook (with Lindéngruppen), the Industry Risk Tool, the ListenUp! initiative for digital wellbeing (joined by TikTok in April 2026), the Beyond Compliance Initiative, the Fair Play Podcast, and the biennial Global Child Forum event at Stockholm Royal Palace. The underlying technology is a data-driven benchmarking and country-risk analytics platform rather than an AI-native system.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) Impact Network membership — annual recurring corporate subscriptions granting access to exclusive events, tools, and peer learning (pricing not publicly disclosed); (2) partnerships and funding from a roster of Core and Minor Financial Partners including IKEA Foundation, BCG, DNB Carnegie, Lindéngruppen, Carl Bennet AB, and Mellby Gård; and (3) benchmark data services sold to the financial industry for ESG and portfolio-risk analysis. The Atlas is offered free of charge to lower adoption barriers and feed the top of the funnel toward paid memberships and data services. Distribution is primarily digital (website, podcast, newsletter, webinars) with high-touch enterprise engagement through the Royal Palace forum and direct corporate outreach.

Name

Global Child Forum

Legal name

Global Child Forum

Website

https://globalchildforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Global Child Forum is a Swedish non-profit foundation that provides benchmarking, geographical risk assessment tools, and a corporate membership network to help companies and investors integrate children's rights into business strategy and ESG decision-making.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Corporate Sustainability Benchmarking

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Rights & Protection (BPADAGAG)

Keywords

• Children's rights benchmarking
• Corporate sustainability research
• Supply chain due diligence
• ESG data analytics
• Human rights advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Stockholm

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Impact Network Membership: Companies join the Impact Network to access exclusive events, guidance, tools, and projects. Members receive expert guidance, digital tools, services, and networking opportunities to strengthen their work on children's rights.
2. Partnership and Funding: Corporate partners provide funding support to contribute to Global Child Forum's work. Partners include major companies like IKEA Foundation, BCG, and various multinational corporations that support the organization's mission.
3. Benchmark Data Services: Provides specially collated datasets to the financial industry to help identify, mitigate, and manage child rights risks within portfolios. Offers benchmark data for investor decision-making and ESG analysis.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Global Child Forum operates an independent global multi-stakeholder platform that produces the world's largest children's rights benchmark for companies and a country-level geographical risk atlas (the Children's Rights and Business Atlas) covering 194 countries. It delivers paid Impact Network membership services, corporate benchmark data licensing for financial-industry clients, and convenes senior corporate leaders and investors through high-profile events such as the Global Child Forum at Stockholm Royal Palace. Supporting tools include The Corporate Playbook for ESRS reporting, The Workbook for operational integration, the Industry Risk Tool, and the ListenUp! Initiative on digital wellbeing for children.

Product overview

Global Child Forum operates as a platform offering multiple interconnected products and services focused on advancing children's rights through business. The core offering includes the Global Benchmark (the world's largest benchmark measuring company progress on children's rights across 1,806 companies), the Children's Rights and Business Atlas (a geographical risk tool covering 194 countries with 173 indicators), and the Impact Network (a membership community). Supporting tools include The Corporate Playbook (for ESRS reporting), The Workbook (for embedding child rights in business operations), the Industry Risk Tool, and the ListenUp! Initiative (for digital wellbeing). Content initiatives include the Fair Play Podcast and Company Case Studies. The organization also hosts the annual Global Child Forum event at Stockholm Royal Palace. All offerings work together to help companies and investors integrate children's rights into decision-making, reporting, and business practice.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Benchmark The world's largest benchmark dedicated to measuring a company's progress and processes on children's rights, helping corporates assess their positive impact on children's lives. Covers benchmark reports for 2024, 2025, and 2026 with assessments of 1,806 companies across 8 sectors and 6 regions.
• Children's Rights and Business Atlas A geographical risk tool enabling companies and investors to identify and assess child rights risks across global supply chains and local contexts. Covers 194 countries, 11 risk issues, and 173 indicators organized across Workplace, Marketplace, and Community & Environment indexes. Available free-of-charge.
• Industry Risk Tool Provides an overview of key children's rights risks on an industry level to help companies and investors improve their due diligence across sectors such as Basic Materials, Consumer Discretionary, Energy & Utilities, Financials, Food/Beverage/Personal Care, Healthcare, Technology & Telecommunications, and B2B.
• The Corporate Playbook Clear guidance on embedding children's rights in ESRS reporting, developed with the support of the LEGO Group to provide practical steps for businesses reporting under the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.
• The Workbook A tool that helps businesses protect, support, and integrate children's rights at every level of their operations. Developed with Lindéngruppen and used by Impact Network members.
• Engagement Toolkit on Children's Rights Resources to help companies communicate benchmark scores and strengthen their work for children's rights with internal and external stakeholders.
• Impact Network Membership A paid membership community of forward-thinking companies and sustainability professionals working to put children at the heart of corporate strategy. Members receive access to exclusive events, expert guidance, digital tools, peer learning sessions, and networking opportunities. Annual billing; pricing not publicly disclosed.
• Benchmark Data Services for the Financial Industry Specially collated datasets provided to the financial industry to help identify, mitigate, and manage child rights risks within investment portfolios. Supports ESG analysis and active ownership for asset managers, banks, and institutional investors (e.g., Swedbank Robur).

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,806 companies benchmarked across 8 sectors and 6 regions in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TikTokminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026TikTok joined ListenUp! - Advancing Digital Wellbeing for Children and Youth, a multi-stakeholder initiative led by Global Child Forum that brings together companies, experts, and children's rights organisations to ensure young people's experiences inform the design of safer, more inclusive digital environments.
• Villa PauliminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026Global Child Forum entered a charity partnership with Villa Pauli, part of A Family Club, to raise awareness of children's rights and the organization's mission. The collaboration creates opportunities to engage Villa Pauli's members and network through communication initiatives, curated gatherings, and events connecting leadership, philanthropy, and long-term societal impact.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBCG is a key partner in developing Global Child Forum's benchmark methodology and produces the annual State of Children's Rights and Business report in partnership with Global Child Forum. Johan Öberg, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, serves on the Global Child Forum Board.
• KidsRights FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Child Forum partnered with KidsRights Foundation to use the KidsRights Index data in the Children's Rights and Business Atlas, integrating this data alongside other sources in the tool.
• Grupo ArcorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrupo Arcor collaborated in developing the Children's Rights and Business Atlas, contributing to the geographical risk tool that helps companies identify child rights risks across their operations and supply chains.
• Barilla GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarilla Group collaborated in developing the Children's Rights and Business Atlas, providing input as a major food and consumer goods company concerned with supply chain children's rights risks.
• OrklacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrkla collaborated in developing the Children's Rights and Business Atlas. Orkla's Vice President Social Responsibility, Anita Househam, participated in the Atlas launch webinar to share practical insights on using risk data across complex global supply chains.
• Mondelēz InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMondelēz International collaborated in developing the Children's Rights and Business Atlas as part of its commitment to child rights in its supply chain operations.
• The Hershey CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hershey Company collaborated in developing the Children's Rights and Business Atlas. Their Senior Manager of Responsible Sourcing highlighted how the tool supports understanding risks across complex value chains for responsible business practices.
• FerrerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerrero collaborated in developing the Children's Rights and Business Atlas, contributing to the geographical risk assessment tool for child rights due diligence.
• The Centre for Child Rights and BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Centre for Child Rights and Business provided an external perspective on translating children's rights due diligence into practice at the Atlas launch webinar. Ines Kaempfer, CEO of The Centre, spoke on how geographical risk information can be applied in complex local contexts.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF partners with Global Child Forum, with the organization working to accelerate action on children's rights by equipping companies and decision-makers with knowledge, research, and platforms for dialogue.
• LEGO GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe LEGO Group supported the development of The Corporate Playbook, a guide on embedding children's rights in ESRS reporting. LEGO's sustainability experts contributed to creating guidance for businesses.
• Swedbank RoburcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedbank Robur partners with Global Child Forum to help companies understand their impact on children and support them in turning insight into measurable action through active ownership.
• NorrskenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorrsken co-hosts ActionLabs at the Global Child Forum 2026, focusing on climate investments and future societal impact through the 'Fixathon: The Next Generation Test' theme.
• SALLYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSALLY co-hosts ActionLabs at the Global Child Forum 2026, exploring the 'Four Futures' theme on how future insights can change present actions.
• EY DobermanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEY Doberman co-hosts ActionLabs at the Global Child Forum 2026, contributing to the 'Four Futures' interactive working sessions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Save the Children: A leading international NGO focused on children's rights and welfare. The Global Child Forum's Secretary General previously served as Chief Development Officer at Save the Children Sweden, illustrating direct overlap in mission, advocacy, and corporate engagement.
• GRI (Global Reporting Initiative): An independent international organization that provides the most widely used sustainability reporting standards. Listed among Global Child Forum's partners; comparable in enabling corporate sustainability disclosure relevant to children's rights.
• Sustainalytics: A major ESG and corporate governance research and ratings provider serving asset managers. Comparable in providing corporate-level data used by investors for ESG risk assessment, including human rights issues that overlap with Global Child Forum's benchmark.
• Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI): A UN-supported network of investors committed to incorporating ESG into investment decisions. Mentioned as a partner of Global Child Forum; comparable in serving institutional investors with ESG data and stewardship tools, though at much greater scale.
• UNICEF: The UN agency dedicated to children's rights and wellbeing, formally partnered with Global Child Forum. Comparable as a global institution advancing children's welfare, though UNICEF's mandate is far broader and government-facing rather than corporate-focused.

Direct peers

• World Benchmarking Alliance: A non-profit that publishes benchmarks measuring corporate performance against the SDGs. Highly comparable to Global Child Forum in methodology (benchmark studies of large companies, sectoral assessments) and target audience (investors and corporates), with a broader thematic scope.
• Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI): An alliance of companies, trade unions, and NGOs promoting respect for workers' rights in supply chains. The Global Child Forum Secretary General is a Deputy Board Member. Comparable in convening corporates around human rights in supply chains.
• The Centre for Child Rights and Business: A non-profit helping companies address child rights in supply chains, chaired by Global Child Forum's Secretary General. Directly comparable in translating children's rights into corporate practice, particularly supply chain due diligence.
• KidsRights Foundation: A Dutch non-profit advancing children's rights globally, partner of Global Child Forum (KidsRights Index data is integrated into the Atlas). Comparable as a children's rights advocacy and data organization engaging corporates and policymakers.

Emerging players

• UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti: UNICEF's research office producing policy research on child wellbeing. Comparable in producing evidence and data informing child rights practice, including in business contexts, though more academic/policy focused than Global Child Forum's corporate engagement model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GCForum
• Facebookfacebook.com/globalchildforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-child-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Global Child Forum