A new EU project is shifting its response to unaccompanied migrant children from a law enforcement-led model to one focused on child protection, with new support measures including strengthened social services.
Five unaccompanied migrant children arrived in Albania over the course of a single month, the European Union Delegation to Albania reported on Thursday (June 19), citing reports from organizations working with children and migration services.
Despite the relatively limited numbers per month, the wider phenomenon demands a new approach, believes the EU, which supports projects in transit countries towards the bloc.
Many children who cross borders alone are fleeing conflict, searching for economic opportunities, or traveling without family members, according to the EU's External Action Service, the bloc's diplomatic arm. Some begin these journeys at a very young age, moving between countries over several years with few belongings and no guarantee of safety.
The EU is looking to improve Albania's asylum and migration procedures through its EU4Migration project, which includes measures aimed at supporting unaccompanied and separated children. The initiative "marks a shift from a police-oriented approach to a child protection framework, delivering tangible results in strengthening child protection units, service providers, social services, and support mechanisms for victims and unaccompanied children."
New procedures 'essential to guaranteeing protection'
At the Registration and Temporary Accommodation Centers in Albanias' Kapshticë (Devoll), Gërhot (Gjirokastër) and Qafë Botë (Sarandë), transport support has been provided through the EU financed project. The scheme has deployed minivans to transfer children from border points to accommodation facilities, with child protection units involved in the process.
"The project has supported the development of contingency plans for mixed migration flows, ensuring responses to diverse situations. Specifically for children, we have worked on creating standard operating procedures for unaccompanied and separated minors, which are currently awaiting approval. These procedures are essential to guaranteeing protection and assistance for vulnerable groups. In addition, we are supporting the establishment of a National Reception Center in Tirana dedicated to unaccompanied and separated children," said Alketa Gaxha, National Project Coordination Officer at IOM.
Until the planned National Reception Center in Babrru becomes operational, children arriving at Albania’s borders are identified and transported to services provided by "Nisma Arsis" in Tirana, an organization that assists children with social and protection needs.
"Nisma Arsis" provides case management, including shelter, food, medical checks and psychological assessments. Staff members say interviews with children are carried out with the support of psychologists and social workers, helping assess their needs and identify possible risks, including trafficking.
"Communication is often challenging, particularly when children speak rare languages. Recently, we received children from Iraq and Egypt, including one who spoke only Kurdish, making interaction extremely difficult. At first, most arrive confused, recounting the hardships of the journey, hunger, exhaustion and deprivation… Many have been separated from their families for years. In one case, a child had been away from home for six years, spending one or two years in different countries along the way," social workers at "Nisma Arsis" say. Though some children stay in Albania only briefly, those who remain may access longer-term support programs through EU4Migration.
Albania is hoping to conclude EU accession negotiations by 2027 and eventually become a member state.