Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy and UNICEF strengthen ongoing partnership for refugee children in Poland

The UNICEF Refugee Response Office in Poland and the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy have reaffirmed their commitment to jointly support refugee children by signing a new Work Plan to continue joint activities in 2025. This deepening of the strategic partnership between the two institutions aims to improve alternative care systems, ensure social inclusion, and support early childhood development initiatives.

A central focus of this partnership is the improvement of the quality of care for unaccompanied and separated children from Ukraine in Poland. Efforts will concentrate on strengthening Polish alternative care system and support to children evacuated from Ukrainian residential care to Poland.

"As the future remains uncertain for many Ukrainian refugee children, it is more crucial than ever to strengthen our efforts to ensure that every child in Poland receives the care and support they need. We are grateful for the collaboration and support of the Polish authorities and their commitment to improve Polish child protection and social welfare systems so they are equipped to provide stability, safety, and opportunities for all children during these challenging times,” says Nona Zicherman, Country Coordinator of the UNICEF Refugee Response in Poland.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by refugee families, the cooperation also includes strengthening local social services and building the capacity of welfare teams to provide targeted support to refugee children at risk of violence and family separation. Special attention will be given to vulnerable groups, ensuring that families receive the necessary support to prevent unnecessary separation and child institutionalization. Additionally, integration programs will be enhanced, offering education, skills development, and mental health support to help refugee families continue building stable and independent lives in Poland.

Investing in early childhood development is another vital aspect of this collaboration. Key initiatives include developing training programs for educators working with young children, with a special focus on early identification of developmental needs among refugee children. The Ministry and UNICEF will also jointly invest in parenting programmes, and in generating critical data on capacity of nursery and kindergarten teachers address the needs of young children with migrant backgrounds.

Through this partnership, UNICEF and the Ministry reaffirm their dedication to protecting the rights and well-being of refugees and other vulnerable children, ensuring that every child has access to care, education, and opportunities for a brighter future.