The NEAR to Guardian Project (Networking and Exchange Activities to Reinforce Guardianship on housing, labour and education) is a 30-months project founded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
The project objective is to increase the networking, exchange of good practices, and knowledge sharing, amongst various relevant actors across the EU on reinforcing effective guardianship with the aim of ensuring full access of basic rights and potential of UASCs, focusing in key areas for integration such as housing, working inclusion and education, in 5 EU Member States (Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia and Belgium).
ESN will contribute the project supporting the partners in the different projec’s activities carried out by the partners and the dissemination of the results. Furthermore, ESN will share the project findings and good practises with our members and taking part in the organisation of the project’s final event.
Mapping Good Practices in Guardianship for Unaccompanied Minors
The European Social Network (ESN) has mapped good practices that strengthen effective guardianship and improve access to basic rights for unaccompanied minors in Belgium. Through desk research, interviews, and a focus group with its members in Belgium, ESN identified good practices in key areas such as education, housing, and labour market integration.
Transnational Study Visits
ESN and its members have actively participated in the project's transnational study visits, bringing together professionals from Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Belgium. These visits facilitated knowledge exchange on good practices and national guardianship systems for unaccompanied minors.
With the visits almost concluded, the final one taking place in Lleida, Spain, on 13-14 March 2025, a report summarising key findings will soon be publicly available. This report will provide valuable insights into effective guardianship approaches across Europe.
National Study Visits
ESN will visit LOI Zijsprong, a residential living group for unaccompanied minor foreign nationals, at the end of March. The visit will bring together professionals from Belgium working in guardianship to foster meaningful discussions on effective approaches, challenges, and the transferability of good practices in supporting unaccompanied minors. One more national study visit will be planned for March, and ESN members and non-members will be welcome to join.
Save the Children Italia (STC IT), Italy
Koper (ZRS-ISS), Slovenia
METAdrasi , Greece
Sant Joan de Déu (SJD), Spain
Sant Joan de Déu Terres de Lleida (SJD TL), Spain
For further information, contact Vesa Latifi, Project Officer, at vesa.latifi@esn-eu.org or Stefanos Michelakakis, Junior Project Officer, at projects@esn-eu.org.