site.btaBulgaria Has Potential to Become Model for Effective Care of Refugee Children across Europe, Head of EC Representation in Bulgaria Says

At the launch of a project titled “Creating alternative social services for unaccompanied refugee children in Bulgaria” on Tuesday, the Head of the European Commission's Representation in Bulgaria, Yordanka Chobanova, praised the initiative as a pioneering step combining innovation with compassion. She emphasized Bulgaria's potential to become a model for effective refugee care across Europe.

Unaccompanied minors are among the most vulnerable groups seeking international protection, Chobanova noted. These children need more than shelter, they require lasting psychosocial support, access to education, and life skills training, even beyond institutional settings.

The project aims to establish a sustainable, community-based care model for these children, something being done for the first time in Bulgaria, with the potential for replication elsewhere. Chobanova highlighted the importance of effective collaboration between the Bulgarian government and the European Commission, stressing that Bulgaria is not alone in this effort.

The initiative aligns with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which takes effect in mid-2026 and aims to ensure fair, sustainable migration management while protecting fundamental rights, especially for unaccompanied minors.

Chobanova voiced confidence in the project team, particularly the municipalities, UNICEF, and the International Organization for Migration, commending their dedication and human-centred approach. “For those involved, this is not just work—it’s a mission,” she emphasized.