Strengthening systems through partnership: UNICEF and Switzerland Support integration and protection of children in migration

Zagreb, 21 November 2025 – The closing conference of the two-year programme “Supporting protection and integration of children and families in migration in Croatia​” was held in Zagreb. The programme was jointly implemented by the UNICEF Office for Croatia and the Swiss Confederation, funded through the Second Swiss Contribution to selected EU member states.

From December 2023 to November 2025, the program focused on strengthening national systems to ensure that children and families in migration receive timely protection, access to early childhood development services, inclusive education, social benefits and services, and psychosocial support.

The conference brought together representatives of line ministries, experts from the systems of internal affairs and asylum, social welfare, education, justice, and health, civil society organizations, and international partners, including the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Croatia, Beatrice Schaer.

Through panel discussions, presentations, and speeches, participants explored key programme areas and achievements, with a special emphasis on the sustainability of results.

What has been achieved?

The programme was designed to enable children and families in migration to successfully integrate into Croatian national systems, with timely needs assessment and access to essential services.

Special focus was put on:

• Protection of unaccompanied and separated children and access to high-quality guardianship, best interest assessments, case management, family- and community-based services, and monitoring
• Access to inclusive education and integration measures in schools and communities
• Access to early childhood intervention, early childhood development, and preschool education for the youngest children and their parents, guardians, and caregivers
• Integrated mental health and psychosocial support
• Access to social benefits and services
• Strengthening child protection information management systems

Key results include:

• Over 7.000 children in migration received timely protection, services and mental health support:
  • Nearly 2.000 children participated in integration measures in schools and local communities,
  • 555 foreign-speaking children underwent standardized language testing, which enabled schools to provide tailored support to overcome the language barrier,
  • More than 1,700 children and families had access to mental health and psychosocial support, including through multilingual chat,
  • More than 700 unaccompanied and separated children were identified and included in child protection and guardianship systems.
• 1.200 professionals trained in interculturalism, early childhood development and education, mental health, and child protection.

See all results HERE

Ilija Talev, Deputy Representative of the UNICEF Office for Croatia, emphasized:

“Refugee and migrant children are, first and foremost, children. Regardless of who they are or where they come from, we must provide them with protection and care. They need to be safe from all forms of violence and exploitation, live in nurturing environments, learn, and look forward to a future where they have the same opportunities as other children. They deserve not only to survive but to thrive. Through this program, UNICEF supported national systems to ensure that children and families in migration, including unaccompanied children, are integrated into Croatian society and that their needs are assessed and met through access to essential services. I thank the Swiss Confederation for its recognition and determination that no child should be left behind and that every child deserves to grow, develop, and thrive, as well as all our implementing partners for their dedicated work in achieving these shared results.”

Her Excellency Beatrice Schaer, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to the Republic of Croatia, added:

“UNICEF has been our trusted partner from the very beginning of implementing the Rapid Response Fund under the Second Swiss Contribution, and this collaboration has proven crucial in addressing urgent needs while creating sustainable solutions.”

The programme was implemented in cooperation with key institutions and organizations: the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy; Ministry of the Interior; Ministry of Science, Education and Youth; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Justice, Administration and Digital Transformation; Croatian Institute for Social Work; The Education and Teacher Training Agency; The National Centre for the External Evaluation of Education; community service centers; schools; academia; and civil society organizations.

This program builds on previous successful collaboration under the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and Switzerland’s initiative “Supporting integration of refugee and migrant children in host EU countries.