The SUN project focuses on the use of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights as an effective legal instrument to promote and protect the rights of unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children (UASCs) on the EU territory. UASCs are a particularly vulnerable group due to their age, displacement and lack of a caring adult, and are at an increased risk of rights breaches and abuse. The aim of the project is to safeguard the rights of UASCs through the CFREU by fostering the transnational exchange of knowledge and good practices, training of practitioners and dissemination and awareness raising.

    The specific objectives of the project include:

    1. Strengthening the capacity of professionals to safeguard UASCs’ rights through the CFREU;
    2. Facilitating the cooperation of key actors at the national and cross-national level concerned with the legal representation, reception, care and education of UASCs in terms of protecting and promoting their fundamental rights;
    3. Strengthening the knowledge and ability of legal practitioners, CSOs and independent human rights bodies to engage in litigation practices at national and European level;
    4. Raising awareness about the role and potential of the CFREU to safeguard the fundamental rights of UASCs.

    The key deliverables of the project are:

    • First-hand knowledge about the specific needs of the target groups and a pool of promising practices through the Training needs assessment and Analysis of Good practices
    • Report; adaptable multi-disciplinary Practitioners’ Handbook on Safeguarding UASCs´ Rights through the CFREU that can be used by professionals and practitioners across the EU;
    • a transnational train-the-trainers event and subsequent national trainings of practitioners;
    • national launch events of the Handbook;
    • a European seminar in Sofia to disseminate the project results to all EU Member States; mentoring programme exchange visits and action plans to improve the human rights situation in the countries.

    The project is implemented by 7 partners from 7 different countries (Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy and Spain). SIRIUS is leading the working package 5 on the dissemination and communication strategy of the project.

    The project consortium:

    Project number: 101084990

    Funded by: Citizens, equality, rights, and values (CERV) Program of the European Commission

    Project duration: 24 months

    Project starting date: 1 April 2023

    Project end date: 31 March 2025

     Map of best Practices

    The SUN team has created a map of best practices, consolidating notable initiatives related to the protection of UASC in the project countries. These
    practices were identified through a national needs assessment report conducted by partners as part of the project. Recognizing the significance of this information, we have chosen to present it in the form of a map for easy accessibility by stakeholders across Europe

    Made with Padlet

    SUN Practitioners’ Handbook

    This handbook promotes the effective enjoyment of rights stipulated in the CFREU by unaccompanied and separated refugee and migrant children (UASC). It includes a series of chapters that provide specific legal information, specifically targeted at legal practitioners.

     

     

     

    DOWNLOAD Practitioners’ Handbook on Safeguarding Unaccompanied and Separated Children’s Rights through the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Recent Highlights on the SUN project

    As the SUN project approaches its final phase, a series of key activities marked its culmination, offering valuable insights and strengthening collaboration among partners and stakeholders across Europe.

    Exchange Visit in Sofia — 12 March 2025

     

    On 12 March 2025, Sofia hosted the SUN Project Exchange Visit, a full day of dialogue, learning and cross-border cooperation, gathering professionals and institutional representatives from across Europe. Organised by the Foundation for Access to Rights (FAR), the event brought together project partners — Tdh Romania, ARSIS (Greece), Volontarius (Italy), Nidos (Netherlands), CCAR (Spain), and SIRIUS — along with representatives from key institutions including the Immigration Service of the Netherlands, Bar Associations of Romania and Italy, National Council for Refugees in Romania, and several civil society organisations active in the field of child protection and migration.

    The morning sessions provided an overview of the Bulgarian legal and care systems for unaccompanied children. Valery Petkov (FAR) presented the national model of residential care for UASC, followed by Todor Iliev (National Legal Aid Bureau), who explored the vital role of legal representation. These presentations prompted rich discussions, enabling participants to compare their national approaches and identify areas for improvement in legal, social, and institutional responses.

    In the afternoon, participants visited two reception centres for unaccompanied minors: Ovcha Kupel and Voenna Rampa. These field visits offered firsthand insights into the everyday reality of reception systems, including the provision of mental health support, educational activities, and child protection services. The exchange also included guided conversations with staff members and service providers, fostering reflection on the importance of comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.

    To conclude the day, the group enjoyed a cultural walking tour of Sofia’s historic centre — a moment to relax, connect informally, and strengthen the transnational network of professionals committed to protecting the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.

    Final Conference — 13 March 2025

    The Final European Conference of the SUN Project took place the next day, 13 March 2025, at Sofia University’s Aula Magna, marking the official close of two years of collaborative work across seven countries. The event welcomed over 70 participants — including legal experts, public officials, researchers, and civil society actors — all engaged in strengthening child protection frameworks for UASC across the EU.

    The conference opened with remarks by Dr. Valeria Ilareva, Chair of FAR and Coordinator of the SUN project, who underlined the relevance of Article 24 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the urgent need to uphold the best interests of the child within the context of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

    Key topics discussed included:

    • Risks and protection mechanisms for refugee and migrant children, with contributions from representatives of UNICEF Bulgaria, UNHCR, and the University of Lille;
    • Legal safeguards and the judiciary’s role, with a special focus on Article 47 of the Charter, ensuring access to justice and legal aid for all, including the most vulnerable;
    • The official presentation of the SUN Analytical Report and Practitioners’ Handbook, which consolidate training needs and best practices identified across the partner countries;
    • Good practices from Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Romania, the Netherlands, and Greece, showcasing diverse strategies to protect UASC in different national contexts.

    This final conference served not only as a moment of reflection and learning, but also as a celebration of the collective achievements of the SUN consortium. It highlighted the importance of cooperation across sectors and borders to guarantee the fundamental rights of all children, regardless of their migration status.