The Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants, the Asylum Granting Commission to the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria and the State Agency for Child Protection are organizing an expert meeting on “Guardianship for Unaccompanied Children Seeking or Granted International Protection in the Republic of Bulgaria” on March 10, 2016 at the Administration of the Presidency, Hall 342, 9.15 – 13.45 h. The meeting is held under a project, funded by UNHCR.

The aim of the expert meeting is to discuss the legal framework and practice with regard to appointing guardianship for unaccompanied children, seeking or granted international protection, as well as to seek opportunities for cooperation and partnership between the stakeholders involved.

Invitations for participation shall be extended to experts from UNHCR, UNICEF, the State Agency for Child Protection, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Agency for Social Assistance, the Border Police and Migration Directorates of the Ministry of Interior, the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria, the municipalities of Svilengrad, Harmanli, Nova Zagora, as well as from NGOs and refugee organisations.

Program of the expert meeting “Guardianship for unaccompanied children ,seeking or granted international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria”, March 10, 2016

The aim of the expert meeting is to discuss the legal framework and practice with regard to appointing guardianship for unaccompanied children, seeking or granted international protection, as well as to seek opportunities for cooperation and partnership between the stakeholders involved.

Invitations for participation shall be extended to experts from UNHCR, UNICEF, the State Agency for Child Protection, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, the Agency for Social Assistance, the Border Police and Migration Directorates of the Ministry of Interior, the National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria, the municipalities of Svilengrad, Harmanli, Nova Zagora, as well as from NGOs and refugee organisations.

Program of the expert meeting “Guardianship for unaccompanied children ,seeking or granted international protection in the Republic of Bulgaria”, March 10, 2016

The BCRM undertakes to promote the integration of beneficiaries of international protection (BIPs) in Bulgaria in order to realize the potential of their integration. This aim will be achieved through: advocacy to address identified gaps, addressing both relevant Bulgarian institutions and other stakeholders, and lobbying for amendments of the relevant national legislation and implementation of the existing provisions.

The project aims at contributing to addressing the three main issues in 2016:

• The establishment of an integration system;
• Improvement of the integration conditions: the access to housing, health care, education, and family reunification of BIPs; and
• The social protection and integration of unaccompanied and separated children (UAMCs).