Project’s full name: CO.A.ST (101141181-CO.A.ST-AMIF-2023-TF2-AG-CALL)

Project’s duration: 1. 4. 2024–1. 4. 2026

Project’s background: 

General objective of the COAST project is to improve support for guardians of unaccompanied and separated children according to their specific needs, in order to ensure a prompt access to the rights they are entitled to and to assist their transition to adulthood.

The project involves six EU member states with different guardianship systems for unaccompanied and separated children in terms of legislative frameworks, number and availability of trained guardians as well as the support they receive. Participating countries are all at the frontline for arrivals of unaccompanied minors, both by sea via the Mediterranean and by land via the Balkan route.

In all of the involved countries, guardians are confronted with complex and diversified practical cases in the daily practice of their functions, requiring high qualified knowledge of the legal and protection systems as well as of the main relevant stakeholders and public authorities involved in the various processes. Furthermore, guardians are also required to develop solid skills in evaluating and determining the best interests of the child in each situation. In the context of guardians’ training, national systems only partially cover the variety of specific cases faced by guardians.

Project’s objectives: 

Specific objectives of the project are:

  • to stimulate and support the exchange of good practices and knowledge sharing about the type of support guardians need and about practical tools and initiatives developed at the EU level aimed at facilitating the performance of their role;
  • to improve qualifications and training of guardians with specific focus on legal and integration issues that arise in transition to adulthood;
  • to develop solutions aimed at supporting guardians in daily performance of their role.

We will achieve the above through the following project activities:

  • Analysis of the situation regarding the role of guardians in strengthening the protection of minors and assistance in their transition to adulthood.
  • Development of training tools and modules for guardians and other direct solutions for providing technical support during the transition of minors to adulthood. Development of tools to strengthen connection and networking between guardians and other relevant actors, especially legal aid providers.
  • Activities for the empowerment of legal representatives through technical advice and promotion of networking activities.

Project’s partners: 

CIR – Consiglio Italiano per i Rifugiati (Italy)

KIND Europe – Kids in Need of Defense Europe (Belgium)

PIC – Pravni center za varstvo človekovih pravic in okolja (Slovenia)

AADH – Aliance des avocats pour les droit de l’homme (France)

ELIL – European Lawyers in Lesvos Gemeinnutzige GMBH (Germany)

Financing: 

The project is funded by the EU.