European Migration Network has released a new report, “Children in Migration: Report on the state of implementation in 2019 of the 2017 Communication on the protection of children in migration.” The report maps the progress made by EU member states and Norway as of 2019 in the implementation of the recommended actions in the 2017 Commission Communication on the protection of children in migration based on analysis of existing legislation and policy documents and information collected by national authorities. Additional material was collected by NGOs.

The report concludes that Member States generally do not have a specific policy or strategy for the integration of minors of a migrant background. Data on migrant children is very fragmented and not always comparable, making it difficult to identify the needs of children with a migration background. In 2019, less than half of the Member States made use of EU funding (primarily from AMIF) for programmes focused on the protection of unaccompanied children and/or families with children. NGOs reported that there remain many challenges and gaps in the implementation of legislation to protect children in migration, including guardianship, identification of unaccompanied minors, and minors who are victims of trafficking.

For more information, please read the full text of the report.