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Key support for guardians protecting unaccompanied migrant children

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Practical tools to support guardians represent unaccompanied migrant children are now available. The two new booklets from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) aim to equip guardians with the knowledge and support they need when interacting with EU asylum and reception authorities.

Well-functioning guardianship systems are essential in promoting the best interests of the child. Guardians are responsible for ensuring that the child's legal, social, medical and psychological needs are met, in the child's best interests, during asylum and reception processes.

The two new EUAA-FRA practical booklets aim to guide guardians so they can best advise unaccompanied migrant children. This will ensure that children understand and can benefit from all the rights and guarantees under EU law:

  • Introduction to international protection – This guide is designed for newly-appointed guardians working with children seeking international protection. It aims to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of international protection in its various forms, the underlying legal framework and the rights of the child.
  • The asylum procedure – This guide aims to support guardians appointed to assist unaccompanied children. It covers various aspects of the asylum process. It specifically addresses how they relate to children. It outlines the guarantees that should be provided for, and the guardian’s role in this respect.

The Practical tool for guardians on temporary protection from November 2022 helps individuals appointed by EU Member States to support displaced children from Ukraine. It provides information on how to register these children for temporary protection and exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive. It also outlines the rights of children depending on their specific circumstances, such as whether they have been separated from their parents or are travelling with someone provided with parental authority by the Ukrainian authorities.

The EUAA and FRA have worked together, with the support of the European Guardianship Network, to draw up these practical tools to support guardians represent children or unaccompanied children in need of international protection.

FRA has also developed a wide range of guidance and advice on guardianship. This includes training material for guardians and trainers, as well as overview of EU guardianship systems.

A further guide will be published for guardians representing children in transnational procedures, such as the Dublin procedure, relocations, resettlement and complementary pathways.

For further information, please contact the EUAA or FRA at: