European Union and UNICEF Türkiye strengthen efforts to protect and educate vulnerable children on the move
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Ankara, 21 October 2025 – The European Union (EU), through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, and UNICEF Türkiye are continuing their close collaboration to ensure that refugee and migrant children—including unaccompanied and separated children—can access protection and education services in Türkiye.
With a budget of EUR 2.3 million, the one-year programme focuses on providing child protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, and referral services for children on the move in İzmir, Istanbul, Edirne, and Van. It also supports the enrolment of out-of-school refugee children in Gaziantep, Hatay, and Istanbul. More than 22,000 children and caregivers will directly benefit from the programme.
A long-standing partnership
“Every child—regardless of who they are or where they come from—has an undeniable right to safety, protection, and education,” said Paolo Marchi, UNICEF Representative in Türkiye. “Through our strong and lasting partnership with the European Union, we are reaching the most vulnerable refugee and migrant children, helping them reclaim their childhood, rebuild their futures, and return to school with renewed hope.” This new action builds on years of joint EU–UNICEF efforts that have already improved access to education and protection for tens of thousands of children in Türkiye. By working with national ministries, municipalities, and civil society organizations, the programme strengthens coordination and ensures that children in need are identified, referred, and supported in a child-sensitive and timely manner.
Shared commitment for children
“Through its continued partnership with UNICEF, the European Union is reinforcing its commitment to protecting and empowering children affected by displacement,” said Bart Witteveen, Head of the European Union Humanitarian Aid Office in Türkiye. “The EU’s support focuses on two key areas: Providing immediate relief assistance and access to child protection services for children on the move, and reducing barriers to education for refugee children to ensure their continued learning and inclusion.”
Ensuring education for every child
Over the past five years, efforts supported by the EU have left a lasting legacy by enabling the enrolment of more than 140,000 out-of-school refugee children in ten provinces. This direct intervention will continue in three provinces to pursue the same goal and will be sustained through inter-institutional collaboration to strengthen systems and foster sustainable, systemic responses. Through these efforts, the most vulnerable refugee children will continue to have the opportunity to access their right to education and build a brighter, more secure future.
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About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/turkiye.
About EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid
The European Union and its Member States are among the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by disasters and human-induced crises. Through the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the EU provides assistance to the most vulnerable people on the basis of humanitarian needs.
