Since the beginning of the migratory crisis in 2015, growing numbers of unaccompanied and separated children (UASCs) have been seeking protection in Europe, underlining the pivotal role guardianship systems have in supporting them. According to the latest available data, 41.000 applications were launched by self-claimed unaccompanied minors across EU+ countries [1]. The N.E.A.R to Guardians project, in which the European Social Network (ESN) participates, aims to increase the exchange of good practice and knowledge sharing amongst various relevant European actors on reinforcing effective guardianship to ensure full access to the fundamental rights of UASCs.
NEAR analyses the national guardianship and protection systems for unaccompanied children in several European countries, identifies best practices, and assesses them through international study visits, the first of which was recently held in Ghent, Belgium.
Co-housing support for young refugees
The visit began with ESN analysing its findings from the good practices reports regarding national legislation and figures around guardianship and unaccompanied minors. To gather the practices, ESN contacted its members in Belgium and interviewed them to collect accurate data. As already mentioned, there has been an overall increase in the number of UASCs and an increased demand for guardians across EU+ countries. Against this backdrop, ESN showcased best practices from its network, with a particular focus on initiatives implemented in the cities of Antwerp and Ghent.
Participants learnt about CURANT, a cohousing initiative where young adult refugees, 17-25 years old, cohabit with Flemish ‘buddies ’ and help them integrate faster into society by assisting them in learning the local language, looking for a job, and becoming more independent. The second practice was presented by Solentra Academy. Their project, ‘Training Offer for Guardians’, provides specialist training with a trauma-informed approach tailored specifically for guardians working with unaccompanied minors. On the second day of the study visit, participants visited the local reception centre for unaccompanied minors in Ghent, where they had the opportunity to learn about the facility and the living conditions provided for these young individuals in Belgium. Through discussions with the centre’s staff, they gained insights into local initiatives and best practices. The exchange of ideas allowed participants to explore ways to adapt these approaches to their national contexts, making the visit informative and practical.
Evaluation and transferability
Through this study visit, participants discussed the transferability and replicability potential of the programmes they learnt from in their countries. They recognised that the quality of housing for unaccompanied children was also a problem in their countries as it was clear that existing accommodation was insufficient. For example, in Slovenia, a pressing issue emerges when minors in reception centres reach the age of 18 and are required to transition out of the system. A significant lack of suitable housing at this point leaves many young adults without stable accommodation. Similarly, METAdrasi emphasised that in Greece, housing for unaccompanied minors faces comparable challenges. With an insufficient number of foster care families, many minors are forced to stay in reception centres for more extended periods than originally intended, delaying their integration and independence.
When discussing which elements of the good practices could be transferred, participants highlighted several key aspects that resonated with the needs of their respective countries. One notable aspect was cooperation between public institutions and civil society, which was valuable for ensuring effective implementation as the project encompassed many stakeholders with a designated responsibility. For example, the success of CURANT relied heavily on the collaboration of the project consortium, with each stakeholder taking on distinct responsibilities, such as guiding the 'buddies', supporting the minors, and managing housing.
Regarding the other best practices from the visits, the ‘Training Offer for Guardians,’ participants found its transferability achievable and envisaged the practice as beneficial for guardians in their countries. As with CURANT, networking and support between institutions or guardians, such as policymakers and psychologists, were essential for creating a supportive framework and were underlined as crucial factors for successful implementation.
Key takeaways
[1] European Union Agency for Asylum, Asylum Report 2024, available here: https://euaa.europa.eu/asylum-report-2024/461-data-unaccompanied-minors
