An Integrated Approach

Legal Protection of Unaccompanied Children in Europe

Hundreds of thousands of children without their parents or guardians are on the move in or on the edge of Europe and in the United Kingdom. Most of these children have fled traumatic situations in the Middle East, Africa, or Asia. They are alone, frightened, and unable to protect themselves. These children are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, violence, trafficking, smuggling, and exploitation. Many do not speak the local language of the countries in which they find themselves.

While many of these children are eligible to receive basic services, including housing, health care, education, and limited legal assistance, most either do not know their rights or are unable to exercise them. Without trusted and reliable sources of information about how to get help, these children become prey to smugglers and traffickers as they move through different countries.

Read KIND’s EU Fact Sheet

Helping children displaced from Ukraine in Europe

KIND's Suzir'ya Project

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As the war in Ukraine continues, children displaced from Ukraine are increasingly at risk—or victims—of child trafficking, abuse, and other violations of their basic rights. Civil society organizations (CSOs) dedicated to helping children can play a vital role protecting these children by providing specialized support and working in partnership with state actors responsible for child protection and access to justice. “Suzir’ya” means “constellation” in Ukrainian. It embodies the project's aim of fostering national and transnational cooperation and partnerships across sectors and agencies and embracing innovative solutions. Suzir’ya strives to provide essential protection, support, and access to justice for children displaced from Ukraine in Europe.
A child looks at a soldier while waiting for further transport after crossing the Ukrainian border with Poland in Medyka, southeastern Poland on March 14, 2022. - Over 2.8 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the invasion began, more than half going to Poland, according to the UN refugee agency. (Photo by Louisa GOULIAMAKI / AFP) (Photo by LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Strengthening Guardianship and Legal Support for Unaccompanied Children in Europe

CO.A.ST Project

My Coming of Age Story (CO.A.ST)

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.
November 21, 2024

Reducing Risks in Uncertainty

Kids in Need of Defense‘s latest report explores the impact of the Ukraine crisis on displaced unaccompanied and separated children, focusing on legal protection, humanitarian aid, and integrati...

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April 3, 2025

Guardianship of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors in Six European Countries

This 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 sy...

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June 10, 2024

KIND's Work in Poland

KIND in Poland KIND has worked in Poland since 2022. We work through a combination of a dedicated KIND staff attorney (based in Lublin) and a partnership with ELIL Poland to provide legal information ...

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June 16, 2025

Providing Protection to Unaccompanied Children in Europe

KIND achieves safety and stability and secures rights for unaccompanied and separated children in Europe through high-quality, no-cost legal and psychosocial assistance, capacity building, and advocac...

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March 12, 2025
Rear view of school teenage boy in front of the school

Highlighting KIND’s Work in Europe for Social Work Month

In honor of Social Work Month, we spoke with Petra Melikantova, a Case Manager with KIND in Europe, about the vital role of psychosocial services in supporting unaccompanied children. Based in Slovaki...

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March 23, 2022
VELKE SLEMENCE, SLOVAKIA - MARCH 09: Refugee children fleeing Ukraine are given blankets by Slovakian rescue workers to keep warm at the Velke Slemence border crossing on March 09, 2022 in Velke Slemence, Slovakia. More than two million people have fled Ukraine into neighboring countries since Russia launched a large-scale invasion of the country on February 24. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Note on Unaccompanied Children Fleeing from Ukraine

This joint report, by Child Circle and KIND, aims to serve the efforts of the many stakeholders who are working together under a common EU framework of measures, by providing an overview of key issue...

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KIND is adapting its pro bono model to expand legal assistance to children alone and on the move in Europe.

The legal needs of unaccompanied and separated children in Europe are myriad and change from country to country. They can range from challenging their conditions of detention, obtaining a form of international protection status, applying to be reunified with their family, or accessing services to which they are entitled. The sheer scale of these legal needs far outstrips current levels of legal assistance provided by state-sponsored legal aid programs, non-governmental organizations, or other sources.

KIND has adapted its U.S.-based pro bono model to expand legal assistance to children on the move in Europe. In partnership with leading local non-profit organizations, we have developed four pro bono projects that respond to the context and needs of unaccompanied children locally.

Where we are working

Map of Greece with orange background

Greece

In Greece, working with European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL), KIND is helping unaccompanied children living in unsuitable and unsafe conditions within refugee camps to apply to be reunified with family in other EU countries, challenge incorrect age determinations, and prepare for asylum interviews.

Ireland

In Ireland, working with the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) and the Irish Refugee Council (IRC), KIND is helping unaccompanied children who have been granted asylum to reunite with their families.  By training pro bono lawyers to guide children through the family reunification process, the project addresses a growing gap in legal services that is currently excluded from the scope of state legal aid.

map of Belgium with orange background

Belgium

In Brussels KIND is partnering with Child Circle, a non-profit with expertise in children’s rights in migration, to contribute to advocacy discussions at EU level in order to shine a spotlight on the central role of legal advisers to advance protection for unaccompanied children and the need for further EU and national action to strengthen legal assistance.

 

 
Map of Italy with orange background

Italy

KIND has been working in Italy since early 2022 in partnership with the Italian Refugee Council and the pro bono legal community, providing children at the border with Slovenia and in Rome with legal assistance and essential information about their rights. KIND also works with the Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights, Progetto Diritti, and the Association of Ukrainian Women in Italy to support children and families from Ukraine in Italy with a range of legal needs.
Map of Poland with orange background

Poland

With support from KIND, European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) expanded its work into Poland to provide legal assistance to children displaced from Ukraine. Since this work began in 2022, ELIL helped more than 1,200 individuals with assistance from six pro bono law firms.   

KIND is expanding its legal assistance to unaccompanied and separated children in Poland in 2023. 

 

Supporting the Psychosocial needs of Children and their Caregivers affected by War in Ukraine

KIND partnered with POMA Global, an organization focused on improving mental health in crisis-impacted communities to best understand how we could support children. PoMA completed a mental health needs assessment which found that children from Ukraine are suffering higher levels of anxiety and distress due to instability, and caregivers are struggling to support children because they are also experiencing traumatic stress and adversity due to war and displacement. The assessment found that there was a need for visual resources and tools that can offer a concrete set of strategies to caregivers who are themselves impacted by the war.

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KIND's Global Reach

KIND in Mexico

KIND in Mexico

In Mexico, KIND assists migrant children who are unaccompanied, separated, or at-risk of separation with a focus on Mexico’s northern and southern border regions.

KIND in the United Kingdom

KIND in the United Kingdom

KIND partners with organizations throughout the United Kingdom to help unaccompanied and separated children navigate a complex legal system.

KIND in Central America

KIND in Central America

Through our programs, partnerships, and advocacy in Central America, KIND aims to ensure children’s rights and protection needs before, during and after their journey to safety.

Get Involved Today

Find out how you can get involved and help ensure the protection and safety of children on the move.

 

Get Involved Now