Earlier this November, the partners of the N.E.A.R to Guardian project gathered in Rome for two days of meaningful discussion and collaboration. On the 5 and 6 November, the project’s Steering Committee brought together representatives from across Europe to reflect on what has been achieved so far, and to chart the next steps in strengthening guardianship for unaccompanied and separated children (UASCs).
The project’s goal is to ensure that every unaccompanied child in Europe can fully enjoy their fundamental rights. To do that, N.E.A.R to Guardian is building bridges between people and organisations, sharing knowledge, good practices, and lessons learned among those who work every day to protect and guide young lives. Over the two days in Rome, the consortium focused on two major upcoming activities that will also be open to members of the European Social Network (ESN).
A New Online Training for Guardians
The first initiative is a comprehensive online training designed especially for guardians and other key stakeholders involved in child protection. Built upon a careful needs assessment conducted across Belgium, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain, the training responds directly to the real challenges guardians face on the ground, such as securing housing once the UASC has reached the age of 18 years old or how to support the transition to adulthood through labour market integration.
The modules will explore practical ways to support guardians of unaccompanied migrant children, focusing on crucial areas such as housing, access to education, and labour market integration. They also aim to equip public administrations, institutions, and civil society with the knowledge needed to strengthen guardianship systems in their own contexts. The training will soon be publicly available, in the languages of all partner countries, through a dedicated website that ESN will promote via its communication channels.
International Working Tables: building networks across cities
The second key activity discussed was the launch of the International Working Tables (IWTs). These gatherings will unite professionals from public authorities across Europe to exchange ideas, share experiences, and develop practical approaches to guardianship. The idea behind this approach is that the gathering of local actors will ensure a more effective and comprehensive support to unaccompanied children by jointly shaping and implementing working practices. Each IWT will focus on a different aspect of supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, starting with educational integration. Participants will be invited to present their national or local strategies and to collaborate on a shared vision for the future.
Each session will contribute to the creation of a “Letter of Intent”, a non-binding agreement that connects participating authorities in a lasting network committed to inclusion and cooperation.
A Shared Commitment to Children’s Futures
The N.E.A.R to Guardian Project continues to grow as a platform for collaboration and learning, driven by a shared belief that every child deserves protection, guidance, and opportunity. As the largest network of public social services in Europe, ESN will ensure that the voices of its members are heard and that public authorities have access to both the training and the exchanges that can truly make a difference.
