A/HRC/19/64 2. The strategy should rely on cross-sectoral co-operation and co-ordination involving health, education and social sectors, agencies responsible for planning and budgetary appropriations, law enforcement authorities, and the justice system. At national level, an agency with primary responsibility for the protection of children against violence should assume (where possible and in conformity with national regulations) a key co-ordinating and monitoring role. Its capacity to involve multiple sectors in a broad-based action is crucial for the strategy‘s long-term success. 3. All actors concerned with the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, such as national, regional and local authorities, families, independent human rights institutions, professionals working for and with children, researchers, civil society and the media should be involved in the strategy‘s design, implementation and evaluation. Children should not only be heard but be empowered to contribute, with their informed consent and according to their evolving capacity, to this multi-stakeholder action. Adequate resources should be made available to ensure children‘s meaningful participation. 4. Methodologies should be developed to assess progress and evaluate actions foreseen by the strategy at all levels, including the cross-sectoral level. Evaluations should be conducted on a regular basis with a view to identifying policies and measures that are appropriate and effective in preventing and addressing violence. 5. Information on the strategy‘s implementation should be widely disseminated. The visibility of actions taken to prevent and to address violence should be increased, inter alia, through their discussion in elected fora at national, regional and local levels. 3.2. Regional and local action 1. Local action to prevent violence is particularly important in view of its proximity to children and families as end recipients of services. It is at this level that the persons concerned will receive assistance, in line with their needs and characteristics. 2. Whereas national authorities set forth common standards for service provision, it is the regions‘ and municipalities‘ obligation to adhere to these standards and to provide for a network of childfriendly services and mechanisms. Responsibilities of regional and local authorities also include the collection of data on violence against children; the development, implementation and monitoring of preventive measures; funding and allocation of premises; etc. 3. National and regional authorities should provide adequate support to local violence prevention programmes in terms of financing, training, evaluation and follow-up. Cooperation and coordination among these levels are indispensable for constant improvements in service delivery and resource optimisation. 4. Community interventions to prevent violence against children, involving all sectors and stakeholders, should be supported. Such interventions could be effected via open platforms, councils or networks bringing together, for instance, municipal authorities, social and health care services, schools, local judiciary, police, migrants‘ or community associations, faith-based organisations and children and families. j 5. Co-operation and co-ordination between municipalities (and regions) should be reinforced, including through the exchange of experiences and good practices. j 76 Also refer to the handbook ―Preventing school violence: a handbook for local partnerships‖ (Council of Europe, 2005).