Partnering for Research Impact

At Proteknôn, research is a living practice rooted in participation, trust, and shared learning. We believe that successful research is not simply about gathering data—it is about co-creating knowledge with children, young people, and their communities of care.

Through participatory methods, we involve children in designing research tools, conducting peer research, analyzing data, shaping recommendations, and driving advocacy efforts. In every project, we prioritize ethical practices, respectful partnerships, and local collaboration to ensure that research supports real-world impact.

Partnering for Impact

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Proteknôn became the COVID-19 Focal Point for the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (The Alliance).

In partnership with UNICEF and Porticus, and in collaboration with the Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE), we launched a research initiative to answer a critical question: How are COVID-19 school closures impacting child protection, wellbeing, and educational equity?

Between 2021 and 2022, Proteknôn conducted participatory research across three humanitarian settings—Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Colombia—working closely with national organizations, children, young people, teachers, and community members to understand the full impact.

Key findings included:

• Compounding existing risks: School closures and remote learning intensified adverse protection outcomes for children, families, and communities.

• Undermining child well-being: The loss of school-based support systems eroded key protective factors in children's lives.

• Widening educational inequalities: Remote learning approaches deepened existing inequities and created new barriers.

• Challenging social services: School closures made it harder for the social service workforce to reach and support children effectively.

Centering Children's Perspectives

Throughout the research, children's voices and experiences remained at the heart of the process.

Proteknôn and our partners captured these perspectives in multiple ways, including:

• Research reports and national briefs

• A global advocacy brief

• Child-friendly research summaries

• Youth-created videos, art galleries, and key messages for decision-makers

By elevating children's experiences and recommendations, we ensured that the research would serve not only as an analysis—but as a catalyst for action.

Advocating with and for Young People

Building on the research findings, Proteknôn, The Alliance, INEE, and our national partners organized a series of Round Tables with global donors and humanitarian actors. At these events, children and young people from humanitarian settings advocated directly for agencies to prioritize child-centered infectious disease preparedness, response, and recovery.

Their advocacy contributed to a significant global policy shift:

The World Health Organization (WHO) revised its approach, moving away from school closures as a primary infectious disease response in humanitarian contexts.

This outcome illustrates the powerful impact of research that is participatory, ethical, and centered on the lived realities of children and young people.

Our Commitment: Research That Leads to Change

At Proteknôn, research is never an end in itself—it is a step toward change. By working alongside children, communities, and partners, we ensure that every study we undertake not only generates knowledge but also drives action toward a safer, more just world for children everywhere. For more information, click here.