Call for research into adoption files

Issued by: Opgroeien (Growing Up) (Flemish Government Agency)
In collaboration with: International Social Service (ISS)

In recent years, the Vlaams Centrum voor Adoptie (Flemish Centre for Adoption - VCA), a division of the Flemish Government Agency Opgroeien, has received a significant number of requests from adoptees, adoptive families, and birth relatives expressing concern about the accuracy of their adoption files, especially in relation to past intercountry adoptions. In response, VCA is launching a long-term initiative to support origin searches and promote transparency, dignity, and truth in adoption histories.

To this end, VCA is looking to identify individuals or organisations based in countries of origin that are qualified and motivated to collaborate on the investigation of past adoption records and to support origin searches for adoptees, under a framework of human rights, neutrality, and ethical professionalism.

Selected partners will be invited to cooperate with VCA to:

• Support adoptees in the search for information in a respectful and context-sensitive manner;
• Investigate inconsistencies and potential irregularities in adoption records;

Engage with relevant stakeholders (e.g. public institutions, civil society, archives, communities).

The evaluation of potential partners will be conducted by International Social Service (ISS), a neutral, international NGO with over 100 years of experience in child rights and cross-border social services. ISS has developed a robust screening tool and methodology, in close collaboration with VCA, to assess both organisations and individuals in a transparent and fair way.

All candidates will be assessed on:

• Technical expertise and practical experience in children’s rights, adoption (past and present), and origin searches;
• Operational capacity, neutrality, and ethical safeguards;
• Collaboration with key stakeholders;
• Independence from current or past intercountry adoption processes.

A detailed screening manual and self-assessment form will be provided to candidates who successfully meet the eligibility criteria. The evaluation will be based on both quantitative criteria and qualitative insights, including interviews and reference checks.

This call is open to organisations and individuals who:

• Have demonstrable expertise in fields related to adoption, child protection, and/or identity rights;
• Can submit a comprehensive CV or organisational profile;
• Provide at least two recent reference letters from governmental or non-governmental entities attesting to the quality and integrity of their work;
• Are willing to engage in a structured, externally led assessment and commit to long-term ethical cooperation.

The assignment concerns potential partnerships in one or more of the following countries: Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, Cambodia, Chile, China, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, India, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

If you or your organisation meet the above criteria and are interested in participating in the external assessment procedure by ISS, please send an expression of interest, including:

• A motivation letter,
• CV (individuals) or organisational presentation,
• Reference letters (minimum two),
• Any relevant documentation that supports your experience and commitment.

All expressions of interest must be submitted electronically before july 24, to the attention of VCA via adoptie@opgroeien.be.

Note: Due to the expected high number of submissions, we regret that we will not be able to respond personally to each applicant.