Bulgaria Ranks Fourth in Number of Unaccompanied Refugee Children in EU

Strategic Insights -

Bulgaria, a European Union country, is grappling with a significant number of unaccompanied refugee children, with over 70% of applicants for protection in 2020 being without parents or separated from their families. The State Agency for Refugees, led by Chair Ivan Ivanov, has partnered with international organizations and local municipalities to create a sustainable mechanism for protecting and supporting these vulnerable children. A project aiming to provide alternative social services for unaccompanied refugee children in Bulgaria has been initiated, with a budget of BGN 26,132,610.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bulgaria ranks fourth in the European Union in the number of unaccompanied refugee children, with over 70% of applicants for protection in 2020 being without parents or separated from their families.
  • The State Agency for Refugees is partnering with the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF, and the municipalities of Burgas, Ivaylovgrad, Tundzha, and Malko Tarnovo to create a sustainable mechanism for protecting and supporting unaccompanied refugee children.
  • The project aims to provide a comprehensive approach to care for the children, focusing on their individual needs and opportunities for social inclusion in Bulgarian society.
  • A significant number of unaccompanied refugee children have experienced violence and severe emotional pressure during their migration journey.
  • The project is worth BGN 26,132,610, with BGN 23,519,349 constituting up to 90% of the total eligible project costs and BGN 2,613,261 constituting up to 10% of the total eligible project costs, co-financed by the State budget.
  • Ivan Ivanov, Chair of the State Agency for Refugees, expressed regret over the severe emotional and physical condition of a boy from Afghanistan who requires urgent hospital admission.
  • Ivanov emphasized the importance of building a trusting relationship with each child, understanding their concerns and needs, and providing support for their integration into Bulgarian society.

Statistics:

  • Over 70% of all children who applied for protection in Bulgaria in 2020 were without parents or separated from their families.
  • BGN 26,132,610 is the total budget for the project aimed at providing alternative social services for unaccompanied refugee children in Bulgaria.
  • BGN 23,519,349 constitutes up to 90% of the total eligible project costs.
  • BGN 2,613,261 constitutes up to 10% of the total eligible project costs, co-financed by the State budget.

Sources:

  • Ivan Ivanov, Chair of the State Agency for Refugees, speaking at a presentation of the project on creating alternative social services for unaccompanied refugee children in Bulgaria.
  • The State Agency for Refugees.
  • The International Organization for Migration.
  • UNICEF Bulgaria.
  • The municipalities of Burgas, Ivaylovgrad, Tundzha, and Malko Tarnovo.