Description
The provision of guardianship to unaccompanied minors in Greece lags far behind European standards and has not been implemented effectively. META-Action, on the basis of its experience, has observed that children would not be exposed to risks, such as exploitation and abuse, nor would they attempt to travel illegally to other European Countries, if the institution of Guardianship of Minors was functioning properly. The goal of the proposed project is the creation of a ‘Network of Guardians’ for unaccompanied minors aiming to protect their rights, enhance their access to social welfare structures and facilitate their integration into Greek society. Within the scope of the project METAction will cooperate with one partner from abroad, namely the Norwegian organization Vergeforeningen Følgesvennen.
Summary of project results
Provision of guardianship to unaccompanied refugee children is far below European standards, and its function is not overly effective. The existing framework for their protection, both in terms of legislative provision, and implementation of law, is not in a position to meet their specific needs. The absence of an effective system of guardianship, which should provide social support as well as administrative and legal representation of unaccompanied minors, limits their access to basic social structures. The project “Guardianship Network for Unaccompanied Minors” aimed to fill a very important gap in the protection of unaccompanied children/third country nationals and in the application in practice of the institution of guardianship, in accordance with European standards. The innovative project sought to offer personalised support and safeguard the rights of unaccompanied children who arrived by the thousands in 2015 at the Greek borders and were then placed in accommodation facilities in Attica. In the 9 months of the Network’s operation, its 14 members who were active in Athens, Lesvos, Samos and Orestiada were responsible for a total 369 children (369% more the initial target), 321 boys and 48 girls. Of these, 233 cases were undertaken by the 4 members of the Network active at the borders and 136 cases by those in Attica. The action of the Guardianship Network in all major entry points in the country and in Attica, with appropriately trained, local resident professionals, offered these children the necessary care they are entitled to, and the existence of a contact person that takes care of every aspect of their lives. Specifically, it ensured the cover of their special needs, their early placement in shelters, their direct access to the National Health System (providing medical care and psychological support), as well as their legal representation if they wanted to apply for asylum or to be reunited with their families. At the same time, the network functioned as a shield against the trafficking networks which could these children becoming victims, but also to recognize signs that children were victims of trafficking and undertake actions to further protect.
Summary of bilateral results
Through the 6-day capacity building training, the capacity of the candidate guardians was strengthened. Ms. Hilde Krogh (President/Special expert from Vergeforeningen Følgesvennen) visited METAction premises and shared her expertise through its recommendations. Participants were able to ask questions and resolve queries, discussed with Ms. Hilde Krogh and gained comprehensive understanding of the role of the Guardian, and became acquainted with good practices of this role. The project team exchanged views with the President, discussed with her about the educational materials and received guidelines about the Networks actions. Accordingly, through the three-day visit of a team of four guardians and one member of the project team of METAction in Norway, the collaboration between the two organizations was strengthened. Network members were able to analyse in depth issues they routinely encountered and exchanged views. In addition they contacted with colleagues from Norway with extensive experience in the field. Moreover, through visits to accommodation structures and institutions, they were able to reinforce the idea of collective protection of minors' rights and explore solutions and good examples applicable to Greek reality. Last but not least, the one day seminar helped to strengthen the dissemination of the acquired knowledge and good practices. At the final conference of the project the President and Vice president of the partner presented the results of the cooperation between the two entities, the development of the Network, and also the outcome from this exchange of experience and expertise.