International Bureau for Children's Rights

What International Bureau for Children's Rights does

The International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR; legal name: Bureau international des droits des enfants) is a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. The organization pursues the mission of strengthening child justice and protection systems and transforming the place of children in society, with particular focus on girls and children in vulnerable, low-income, or marginalized communities. IBCR reports an operational track record of more than 100 projects over nearly 30 years, training 64,300 people on children's rights and reaching 4 million children classified as better protected through its actions.

IBCR's flagship offering is the Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP), also known as PCV or PRIDE (Projet de renforcement intégral des droits de l'enfant). Launched in 2020 with funding from Global Affairs Canada, VCP is an 8-year programme running through 2028 that recruits, trains, and deploys qualified Canadian volunteer specialists on multi-month mandates with more than 30 partner organizations across 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Senegal, Togo), North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia), and Latin America (Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Peru). The organization also operates the Social Lab, a cross-country collaborative platform where partners co-develop and test innovative child-protection methodologies, and has begun building a domestic programming line in Quebec (projects on youth aging out of care and adolescent empowerment). Country offices exist in Ouagadougou, Kinshasa (Gombe), Dakar, and Bamako, and the organization maintains community-of-practice channels (newsletter, blog, podcast, social media) targeting volunteers, donors, and the Canadian public.

IBCR is funded primarily through official development assistance grants from Global Affairs Canada, supplemented by co-financing from institutional partners (notably UNICEF and partner-country governments), and voluntary public donations. The organization does not sell products or services; volunteer allowances, housing, travel, and insurance for the ~250 volunteers mobilized under VCP are funded by grant proceeds rather than paid by volunteers or partner organizations. It does not operate a proprietary technology platform, software product, or commercial AI/ML system — its core "technology" is the methodology, training curriculum, volunteer-pipeline apparatus, and the Social Lab's collaborative infrastructure that translate grant funding into capacity-building outcomes for civil-society, governmental, and multilateral child-protection actors.

Name

International Bureau for Children's Rights

Legal name

Bureau international des droits des enfants

Website

https://ibcr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR) is a Montreal-based non-profit founded in 1994 that deploys qualified Canadian volunteer specialists to more than 30 partner organizations across 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Latin America, strengthening child justice and protection systems under an 8-year, Global Affairs Canada-funded programme (VCP/PRIDE, 2020-2028).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Rights & International Development Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG)

Keywords

• Children's rights advocacy
• Child protection capacity building
• International volunteering programme
• Juvenile justice reform
• Human rights international cooperation

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Official Development Assistance: The primary revenue stream is official development assistance from the government of Canada (Affaires mondiales Canada / Global Affairs Canada), which funds the 8-year Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP/PCV, 2020–2028). This grant covers volunteer allowances, travel, insurance, housing, and programme operations across 11 countries.
2. Institutional Partnerships and Co-funding: IBCR receives co-funding and programmatic support from institutional partners including UNICEF and national government counterparts in programme countries (Burkina Faso, DRC, Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire). Partners co-finance specific projects such as child protection, gender-based violence prevention, and juvenile justice reform.
3. Donations and Individual Contributions: The organization accepts public donations to support its mission of strengthening child justice and protection systems globally. Donors can contribute through the organization's website.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IBCR is a non-governmental organization that strengthens child justice and protection systems in 11 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Latin America. Its flagship Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP/PRIDE), funded by Global Affairs Canada, recruits, trains, and embeds qualified Canadian volunteer specialists inside partner NGOs, government agencies, and UN bodies to build their organizational capacity in legal aid, monitoring & evaluation, communications, and project management. Complementary offerings include the Social Lab innovation incubator, advocacy campaigns, and child participation programmes that have reached over 4 million children.

Product overview

The International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR) is a non-profit organization focused on children's rights advocacy and international cooperation rather than a technology product company. Its primary offerings are charitable programs including the Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP/PCV) also known as PRIDE (Projet de renforcement intégral des droits de l'enfant), international volunteering assignments, and the Social Lab initiative for innovation in children's rights. The organization does not offer traditional software products, platforms, or modules for external customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VCP (Voluntary Cooperation Programme): The Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP), also known as PCV in French or PRIDE (Projet de renforcement intégral des droits de l'enfant), is IBCR's flagship international volunteering programme deploying qualified specialists to strengthen children's rights in partner countries.

Products and services

• Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP / PCV / PRIDE) An 8-year (2020-2028) international volunteering and capacity-building programme that recruits, trains, and embeds qualified Canadian volunteer specialists (law, communications, M&E, project management, digital) inside 30+ partner NGOs, government agencies, and UN bodies across 11 countries to strengthen child protection and juvenile justice systems.
• Social Lab (Laboratoire social) A collaborative innovation platform and digital workspace where VCP partners from 11 countries share good practices, co-create child protection tools, articles, and documentation, and pilot innovative approaches to children's rights — including themed initiatives such as gender-based violence prevention with children as agents of change.
• Child Rights Advocacy & Institutional Support Ongoing advocacy actions to mobilize decision-makers and raise awareness on children's rights, including open letters, press reviews, news releases on legislation (e.g., Bill C-14), and presentations to Truth Commissions and national policy launches.
• Québec Domestic Programming on Children's Rights

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 million children better protected through IBCR's actions
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF co-finances specific IBCR projects including child protection programmes in Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo. UNICEF brings global reach, technical expertise, and additional funding to joint child rights initiatives.
• Tunisian Forum for Youth Empowerment (TFYE)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTFYE is a key partner in Tunisia, focusing on youth empowerment, citizenship education, and children's rights. IBCR collaborates with TFYE on capacity building in advocacy and developing innovative training tools for child participation. TFYE leads a pole of 40+ Tunisian civil society organizations in the education sector.
• COALICO — Coalition Against the Involvement of Children and Youth in the Armed Conflict in ColombiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOALICO is a Colombian coalition working to prevent and respond to child recruitment and use in armed conflict. IBCR has deployed multiple volunteers to COALICO, including a child rights advisor who supports the Observatory on Children and Armed Conflict and contributes to Truth Commission analyses.
• COMETA — Commitment from Childhood and Adolescence (Peru)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOMETA is a Peruvian organization dedicated to children's rights. IBCR volunteers support COMETA's work with adolescents in conflict with the law at Centro Juvenil de Diagnóstico y Rehabilitación (CJDR), including organizational development, communication, and strategic planning support.
• CEJUS — Clinique d'Expertise Juridique et Sociale (Togo)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEJUS is a Togolese organization working on access to justice, peace, cohesion social, gender-based violence, migration, and climate change. IBCR has deployed project management volunteers to strengthen CEJUS's organizational capacity.
• Direction de la Justice Juvénile (Burkina Faso)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Directorate of Juvenile Justice in Burkina Faso is a government counterpart for IBCR's programme. Volunteers have supported data management system improvements, staff training on data collection and analysis using Kobo Collect and Power BI, and inclusive data collection for children in contact with the law.
• BAYTI Association (Morocco)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAYTI is a Moroccan association working with children in difficult situations, including children living on the streets and victims of sexual exploitation. IBCR has deployed digital communication and resource development volunteers to strengthen BAYTI's digital presence and advocacy capacity.
• AFJCI — Association des Femmes Juristes de Côte d'IvoiremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Association of Women Lawyers of Côte d'Ivoire works on gender equality and women's and children's rights. IBCR has deployed project management and M&E volunteers to support AFJCI's activities, including workshops on project writing and gender-based violence.
• AJS — Association des Juristes Sénégalaises (Senegal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAJS is a Senegalese association of women lawyers working on women's and children's rights. IBCR has deployed long-term volunteer communication advisors to support AJS's advocacy and coordination efforts.
• CNDH — Conseil National des Droits de l'Homme (Côte d'Ivoire)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Council for Human Rights in Côte d'Ivoire is a national human rights institution. IBCR supports CNDH's child protection activities, including a Social Lab initiative on gender-based violence with children as agents of change, involving Forum des ONG, AFJCI, and CNDH.
• ENDA Tiers Monde (Senegal)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerENDA Tiers Monde is a major Senegalese development organization. IBCR's VCP programme collaborates with ENDA on child protection and youth rights initiatives in Senegal.
• KEOOGO Association (Burkina Faso)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKEOOGO is a Burkinabé organization working for the protection and rights of children. IBCR has deployed volunteers to support KEOOGO's operations, including medical convoys and child protection activities.
• Forum of NGOs and Associations for Aid to Children in Difficulty (Côte d'Ivoire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Social Lab initiative in Côte d'Ivoire alongside CNDH and AFJCI. Works on child protection issues including child labour and children's rights awareness.
• Association d'Appui à l'Unité de Protection de l'Enfance (AAUPE) — MoroccomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAUPE is a Casablanca-based organization working on child protection. IBCR has deployed a resource development advisor and digital communication volunteer to strengthen AAUPE's organizational and digital capacity.
• DGPE — Office of the General Delegate for Child Protection (Tunisia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDGPE is the Tunisian government body responsible for child protection. IBCR works with DGPE to strengthen national child protection systems in Tunisia.
• Amane Foundation for Child Protection (Morocco)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmane is a Moroccan foundation working on child protection, including prevention of child labour. IBCR supports Amane's capacity building through volunteer deployments.
• ADO+ Association (Tunisia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADO+ is a Tunisian association focused on adolescent rights and empowerment. Partner within the TFYE-led civil society network in Tunisia.
• CERMICOL — Centre d'Éducation et de Réinsertion sociale des Mineurs en Conflit avec la Loi (Côte d'Ivoire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCERMICOL is a correctional and rehabilitation centre for minors in conflict with the law in Côte d'Ivoire. IBCR supports its programmes through volunteer deployments and capacity building.
• National School for Specialised Social Workers / ENTSS (Senegal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerENTSS is a Senegalese government institution training specialized social workers. IBCR collaborates with ENTSS to strengthen social work capacity for child protection.
• EDEN — Education and Child Development NGO (Senegal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEDEN is a Senegalese NGO focused on education and child development. Partner within IBCR's VCP programme in Senegal.
• ISTS — Institut Supérieur du Travail Social (Madagascar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISTS is a higher education institution in Madagascar training social workers. IBCR partners with ISTS to build professional capacity in child protection in Madagascar.
• CNIDH — Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l'Homme (Madagascar)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMadagascar's independent national human rights commission. IBCR collaborates with CNIDH on child rights monitoring and protection in Madagascar.
• KEKELI Centre (Togo)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKEKELI is a Togolese organization working on women's and children's rights and gender equality. IBCR has deployed a volunteer advisor in education and social intervention to KEKELI.
• PFSCE — Plateforme Civile de la Société Civile pour l'Enfance (Burkina Faso)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFSCE is a civil society platform for childhood in Burkina Faso, bringing together NGOs working on child protection. IBCR partners with PFSCE for capacity building and coordination.
• AFJ/BF — Association des Femmes Juristes de Burkina FasocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of women lawyers in Burkina Faso working on women's and children's rights. IBCR supports AFJ/BF through volunteer deployments.
• GENFAMI — Foundation for the Integral Development of Gender and Family (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGENFAMI is a Peruvian foundation working on gender and family development. IBCR partners with GENFAMI within the VCP programme in Latin America.
• CHS ALTERNATIVO (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial and Alternative Human Capital (CHS ALTERNATIVO) is a Peruvian organization working on human rights. IBCR collaborates with CHS ALTERNATIVO in Peru.
• Paniamor Foundation (Costa Rica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaniamor is a Costa Rican foundation working on children's rights and youth development. IBCR partners with Paniamor within the VCP programme in Central America.
• CICESCT — Inter-institutional Commission against Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons of HondurascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICESCT is a Honduran government commission working against sexual exploitation and trafficking. IBCR partners with CICESCT on child protection in Honduras.
• UDIMUF — Women's and Family Development Unit (Honduras)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUDIMUF is a Honduran organization working on women's and family development. IBCR collaborates with UDIMUF within the VCP programme.
• OPAN — Office of Pastoral Care for Children and Families (Colombia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPAN is a Colombian pastoral organization working on children's and family rights. IBCR partners with OPAN within the VCP programme in Colombia.
• CONÀTT — National Coalition against the Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons (Costa Rica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCONÀTT is Costa Rica's national coalition against migrant smuggling and human trafficking. IBCR collaborates with CONÀTT on child protection within the VCP programme.
• Support Association for the Child Protection Unit (UPE) — Casablanca, MoroccocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPE is a Casablanca-based association supporting the Child Protection Unit. IBCR has deployed volunteers to strengthen UPE's organizational and advocacy capacity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• War Child: International NGO focused on children affected by armed conflict, operating in several of the same fragile states as IBCR (DRC, Colombia). Direct comparability in protecting children in conflict zones and working through local partner capacity-building.
• Plan International: Global NGO focused on children's rights and gender equality, operating in similar developing-country contexts through partner organizations and volunteer-supported programmes. Direct comparability in mission, geographic footprint, and donor-funded operating model.
• ChildFund International: International NGO supporting children in developing countries through local partner organizations, with strong presence in West Africa and Latin America. Comparable in partner-network delivery model and child-rights mission focus.
• Cuso International: Canadian NGO deploying volunteer specialists to support development partners in developing countries, including child protection and gender equality themes. Closely comparable volunteer-deployment model, Canadian institutional funding base, and multi-country partner approach.
• SOS Children's Villages: Global NGO focused on children without parental care and child protection systems, with country presence across Latin America and Africa. Comparable in child protection mission and multi-country operating model, though more direct-service oriented than IBCR.
• Terre des Hommes: International children's rights NGO with strong presence in West Africa, Latin America, and capacity-building programmes for civil society and juvenile justice actors. Closely comparable in operating model, geographic focus, and partner-based delivery approach.
• Defense for Children International: International NGO specializing in child rights advocacy, juvenile justice, and child protection system strengthening. Comparable in specialized mission focus and partnership-based delivery, though with a more legal-advocacy orientation than IBCR's volunteer-deployment model.

Broad incumbents

• UNICEF: UN agency with a global mandate on children's rights, operating across all of IBCR's program countries. Already a co-funder of specific IBCR projects. Comparable in mission, geographic reach, and beneficiary focus, though vastly larger in scale and budget.
• Save the Children: One of the largest international children's rights NGOs, working across child protection, education, and juvenile justice in many of the same countries as IBCR. Comparable in mission and beneficiary focus but vastly larger in scale, budget, and geographic reach.

Emerging players

• Right To Play: International NGO using play and sport to protect and educate children in vulnerable communities across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Partial overlap with IBCR's child-protection mission, particularly for children in conflict-affected settings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IBCR.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-bureau-for-childrens'%E2%80%8B-rights

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Bureau for Children's Rights