Description
Children living in residential care, particularly unaccompanied migrant children arriving at Europe’s southern borders, are among those most vulnerable to violence, exploitation and neglect. Despite the mandate of protection systems, many facilities face systemic shortcomings, including insufficient resources, inadequately trained staff and limited safeguarding protocols, which may compromise children’s safety and well-being. Girls and adolescent females are at particularly high risk of gender-based violence and abuse.
The SECURE project – Safeguarding and Empowering Children on the Move in Child Protection Centers at the Southern European Border – aims to strengthen the protection of children and adolescents living in residential care settings, with particular attention to the needs of unaccompanied children.
Through a rights-based, participatory and intercultural approach, the project promotes the creation of safe, inclusive and child-friendly environments in Greece, Italy and Spain.