The exchange visit of partners of the SUN Project Safeguarding Unaccompanied and Separated Children's Rights through the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in Sofia, Bulgaria, took place on 12 March 2025.
The event was attended by representatives of partner organisations Tdh Romania, ARSIS (Greece), Volontarius (Italy), Sirius (international network), Nidos, the Netherlands and CCAR (Spain). In addition, representatives of organizations and institutions from various European countries engaged in the topic of the rights of refugee and migrant children were present, including:
- Immigration Service, the Netherlands
- National Council for Refugees in Romania
- Refugee Integration Centre in Brasov, Romania
- Bar Associations in Bucharest, Romania and Bolzano, Italy
- Citta Solare, Italy
- JRS Romania
- Límbic: Institut Sistèmic de Reus, Spain
- SUPERACCIO, Spain
- Unleash Refugee Potential, UK.
The morning session of the exchange visit laid the groundwork for meaningful discussions and knowledge sharing among participants. It opened with a welcome address by FAR's chairperson, Dr. Valeria Ilareva, followed by a round of introductions where participants shared insights into their work and outlined their expectations for the visit. The first presentation, delivered by Valery Petkov from FAR, focused on the structure and functioning of residential services for unaccompanied children in Bulgaria, providing an overview of the legal and social frameworks in place. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Todor Iliev from the National Legal Aid Bureau, who outlined the crucial role of legal representatives in safeguarding the rights of unaccompanied refugee children. The engaging discussions that followed these presentations allowed participants to reflect on similarities and differences across national systems and exchange perspectives on improving legal and social support mechanisms.
The exchange visit also facilitated a deeper understanding of the practical realities of supporting unaccompanied and separated refugee children through the afternoon field visits. Participants were divided into two groups to visit the Ovcha Kupel Reception Centre and the Voenna Rampa Reception Centre in Sofia, where they had the opportunity to engage directly with staff and stakeholders. These visits allowed participants to observe how the Bulgarian system addresses the needs of unaccompanied refugee children in practice, including the provision of social support, educational activities, and mental health care. The guided interactions provided valuable insights into the operational challenges faced by these centres and highlighted the importance of legal representation and social integration for unaccompanied minors. This hands-on experience enriched the overall exchange by grounding the theoretical discussions from the morning sessions in practical observations and real-life examples.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the State Agency for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration for warmly welcoming our delegations and engaging in constructive and meaningful dialogue.
The exchange visit concluded with a guided walking tour through the historic centre of Sofia, starting from the Sofia Balkan Palace. Participants explored key cultural and historical landmarks, gaining insights into the city’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere. The tour provided a relaxed setting for informal conversations and networking, reinforcing the connections built throughout the day.
We invite you to explore the photo album from the day to relive these memorable moments and see highlights from the exchange visit.
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The Safeguarding Unaccompanied and Separated Children’s Rights through the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – SUN project/101084990 is funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme of the European Commission. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
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