Project’s objective

The GUARD-UP project aims to enhance the guardianship systems for unaccompanied migrant children in Greece, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Croatia, and Belgium. By empowering guardians and stakeholders, we will foster the exchange of best practices and facilitate knowledge-sharing among key actors. This initiative will also create a dynamic network, enabling guardians to connect and collaborate with their peers. Ultimately, this project seeks to build a brighter, safer future for unaccompanied migrant children, who stand to benefit most from these improvements.

Target groups:

• Guardians of unaccompanied migrant children;
• Stakeholders involved in unaccompanied migrant children’s care, protection, and support, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, legal staff, mental health professionals, local authorities, education providers, and other civil society organizations;
• Unaccompanied migrant children themselves are at the heart of GUARD-UP, as both a key focus and the ultimate beneficiaries of our efforts.

Methodology:

The project methodology begins with an analysis of existing guardianship arrangements in Greece, Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Croatia, and Belgium to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement, and to exchange best practices. The initiative will build the capacity of 200 stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, legal staff, mental health professionals, local authorities, and education providers. Additionally, training support will be provided to 100 appointed and prospective guardians of unaccompanied migrant children. To foster collaboration and peer support, an online network will be created for guardians to share their experiences and connect with others in similar situations. Lastly, the project aims to increase awareness related to guardianship by informing at least 1,000 individuals.

Partners:

CENTAR ZA NESTALU I ZLOSTAVLJANU DJECU (CNZD) – Croatia

COOPERAZIONE PER LO SVILUPPO DEI PAESI EMERGENTI ONLUS (COSPE) – Italy

EUROPEAN FEDERATION FOR MISSING AND SEXUALLY EXPLOITED CHILDREN AISBL (MCE) – Belgium

HOPE FOR CHILDREN CRC POLICY CENTER (HFC) – Cyprus

MINISTRY OF MIGRATION AND ASYLUM (MoMA) – Greece

LAI-MOMO SOCIETA’ COOPERATIVA SOCIALE (LAI-MOMO) – Italy

PANEPISTIMIO DYTIKIS ATTIKIS (UNIWA) – Greece

STICHTING NIDOS (NIDOS) – Netherlands

STOWARZYSZENIE INTERWENCJI PRAWNEJ (SIP) – Poland

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the European Commision can be held responsible for them.