June 18, 2025
My Coming of Age Story (CO.A.ST) is a collaborative, EU co-funded project designed to strengthen legal and psychosocial support for unaccompanied children as they transition to adulthood. Led by the Italian Council for Refugees (CIR) and implemented with partner organizations in six EU countries, CO.A.ST builds the capacity of guardians through targeted training, practical resources, and cross-border knowledge exchange. The project promotes stronger collaboration between guardians and legal professionals, helping ensure that young refugees receive the care, protection, and legal guidance they need during this critical phase of life. A Scientific Advisory Board of leading experts and voices with lived experience helps guide the project’s development and impact.
The transition to adulthood represents a crucial moment in the lives of unaccompanied children, often marked by uncertainty and vulnerability. The forms of protection guaranteed during childhood either cease or change radically, leaving many young people without adequate support at a key stage in their path toward integration and independence. This fact sheet presents research […]
Read MoreThis fact sheet provides an in-depth look at how six European countries—France, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, and Slovakia—protect unaccompanied foreign minors through voluntary guardianship systems. It outlines the different types of guardianship, including ad hoc administrators, curators, and volunteer legal guardians, and explains how each country appoints and supports guardians for migrant children. The resource […]
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