Due to its geographical location, Italy is particularly affected by irregular migration to Europe via the Balkans and the central Mediterranean. Switzerland supports European migration management through the second Swiss contribution to selected EU member states. The project with the UNHCR in Italy aims to enhance the accommodation and care of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in the first reception centres.

In 2023, Italy recorded the arrival of more than 157,000 migrants by sea, 10% of whom were unaccompanied minors. Although the number of arrivals was lower in the first half of 2024 than in the previous year, the potential for migration remains high. Many people who reach Italy are in increasingly poor physical and mental health owing to rising violence on the migration routes.

Project goals

The objectives of the project are to ensure that unaccompanied minors’ basic needs are met on arrival in Italy and that their rights are protected. Unaccompanied minors are particularly vulnerable and have special needs that require additional resources. Appropriate care in the first reception centres is a basic condition of high-quality asylum procedures that comply with EU law. Age-appropriate accommodation also reduces the incentive for irregular secondary migration.

Project activities

Project activities focus on ensuring that first reception centres are geared towards the well-being of unaccompanied minors, i.e. identifying and addressing their needs at an early stage. Activities also include developing capacities and competencies, establishing a systematic data management and harmonising activities and processes in order to strengthen the reception system in the long term.