The National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights and Adoption (ANPDCA) has launched nationwide information and publicity sessions related to the "Next Generation 119 System" project.
"ANPDCA announces the nationwide launch of information and publicity sessions under the project 'Development and modernisation of digital tools for alerting, identification and intervention for children, associated with the national single number 119 - Next Generation 119 System', MySMIS code 319768. The first information session was organised on March 17 in Ploiesti, bringing together representatives of public institutions with responsibilities in child protection, specialists from territorial structures, as well as other relevant local stakeholders," the statement reads.
The series of events will continue until September 2026 and will cover all counties of the country and Bucharest.
According to the cited source, the Single Number for Children 119 is undergoing a broad modernisation process through a project implemented by ANPDCA in partnership with the Special Telecommunications Service (STS), aimed at developing and upgrading digital tools for alerting, identification and intervention, adapted to the current needs of children and the requirements of professionals in the field.
"Through these information and publicity sessions, we aim both to present the innovations brought by the project and to build real solutions for children together with specialists from local structures. In this regard, the tools developed are designed to be accessible, intuitive and adapted to children's communication patterns, being based also on their direct consultation," the statement adds.
The project represents a necessary technological leap not only for professionals in the child protection system, but also for children. In an era in which children are born and grow up with technology in their hands, the public 119 service is moving from a simple telephone line to a communication platform fully adapted to the language and habits of the new generation, the Authority's representatives say.
"The 119 number has been, since its launch, a vital telephone line. But the world is changing, and our children are digital natives. For a child in an abusive situation, it may sometimes be impossible or even dangerous to make a phone call. Through the Next Generation 119 System project, we adapt to the language of young people, rather than asking them to adapt to our bureaucracy. The integration of chat, quick forms and video resources through the future platform www.119.ro
will ensure new reporting mechanisms for children's safety," said ANPDCA President Helena-Omna Raicu during the event.
The project introduces several new features: a new website, www.119.ro, with a multilingual chatbot and sections dedicated to children, parents and professionals, as well as resources and guides for recognising forms of violence; a mobile application for field interventions, allowing mobile teams to initiate secure voice-video calls with DGASPC coordination structures; a platform for training experts managing the 119 number; a GIS/ARLS platform with an interactive map displaying the location of intervention teams and other resources such as police stations, hospitals or schools; and measures to secure the IT system, including integration with the 112 system.
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Smart Growth, Digitalisation and Financial Instruments Programme (PCIDIF) 2021-2027 and has a total value of 66.86 million lei (VAT included). The implementation period is 30 months (20 September 2024 - 20 March 2027).
The 119 number was officially launched in Romania on January 5, 2022 as a free telephone line for children and is intended for reporting and preventing cases of abuse, exploitation, neglect and other forms of violence against children. The initiative was implemented by the Romanian Government, through ANPDCA, in collaboration with the Special Telecommunications Service (STS).
Calls are free of charge, the number can be dialled from any network (landline or mobile) and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is intended for children who feel in danger, citizens who witness abuse, and anyone who, by the nature of their profession, works directly with children.
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