At a crossroads Unaccompanied and separated children in their transition to adulthood in Italy November 2019 At a crossroads Unaccompanied and separated children in their transition to adulthood in italy November 2019 Fondazione ISMU Disclaimer Research partners The opinions expressed in the report are those of the authors This research was designed and coordinated by ISMU and do not necessarily reflect the views of United Nations Foundation - Initiatives and Studies on Multiethnicity and Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations High Commissioner carried out in collaboration with the University of Roma Tre and for Refugees (UNHCR) or the International Organization the University of Catania. for Migration (IOM). The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout the report do not imply Scientific Committee of the research: expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNICEF, Rita Bichi (Coordination, ISMU Foundation), Carmelina Canta UNHCR and IOM concerning legal status of any country, (University of Roma Tre), Ennio Codini (ISMU Foundation), Liana territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning its Daher (University of Catania), Mariagrazia Santagati (ISMU frontiers or boundaries. This joint report reflects the activities Foundation), Giulio Valtolina (ISMU Foundation), Laura Zanfrini of individual agencies around an issue of common concern. (ISMU Foundation). The principles and policies of each agency are governed by the relevant decisions of its governing body. Each agency Research coordination: implements the interventions described in this document in Rita Bichi (ISMU Foundation), accordance with these principles and policies and within the Emanuela Bonini (ISMU Foundation). scope of its mandate. This publication was made possible through the support provided by UNICEF and UNHCR in Local research team managers: collaboration with IOM. The text has not been edited or fact- Emanuela Bonini, Carmelina Canta, Liana Daher. checked to official publications standards and UNICEF, UNHCR and IOM accept no responsibility for errors. Research Team: Alessandra Barzaghi, Lavinia Bianchi, Chiara Carbone, Andrea Cover photo: Casavecchia, Claudia D'Antoni, Marina D’Odorico, Augusto E., 18 years old, cames from South Sudan, stands on the cliffs Gamuzza, Anna Maria Leonora, Giorgia Mavica, Giulia Mezzetti, overlooking the sea of Duino, Italy, where he likes to do his Davide Nicolosi, Danilo Palmisano, Giorgia Papavero, Alessandra homework (October 2017) Scieri. © UNHCR/Fabio Bucciarelli Research support: © 2019 UNICEF, UNHCR and IOM Roberta Davino, Martina Lippolis, Viola Lavinia Malingri Di Bagnolo, Sara Vitale. Suggested citation: ISMU Foundation (2019), At a Crossroad. Unaccompanied and Separated Children in their Transition to Interviewers: Adulthood in Italy. UNICEF, UNHCR e IOM, Roma. Ossama Ramadan Karim Amin, Bassirou Dembele, Nouha Diallo, Ibrahima Diallo, Muslim Din, Benjamin Halilaj, Rimon ISBN: 9788894432473 Karam Mahfouz Wisily Hanin, Ibrahim Jalloh, Khaleghi Morteza, Mohamed Keita. At a crossroads. Unaccompanied and separated children in their transition to adulthood in Italy Acknowledgements The authors would like to express their thanks to the representatives of the Ministries for their contribution to this research, and in particular for their indications on the research protocol and for their comments on the preliminary findings. The Ministries involved are the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies, the SIPROIMI - System of Protection for the Holders of International Protection and foreign unaccompanied minors, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, Research and University, the AGIA – National Ombudsperson for Children and Adolescents. We also wish to thank all the local authorities involved in the research in the three regions for their cooperation: Prefettura – Ufficio Territoriale del Governo di Milano; Dipartimento Politiche Sociali – Prefettura di Roma; Prefettura – Ufficio Territoriale del Governo di Catania; AGIA – Regione Lombardia; AGIA – Regione Lazio; AGIA – Regione Sicilia; Consiglio Regionale – Regione Lazio; Tribunale per i minorenni di Palermo; Tribunale minorenni di Catania; Direzione politiche Sociali – Comune di Milano; Direzione Famiglia e Politiche sociali – Comune di Catania; Comune Di Latina – UO Minori; USR – Ufficio Scolastico Regionale Lazio; USR – Lombardia; USR – Sicilia; all the CPIA of Lombardy, Latium and Sicily. We would also like to thank Civil society organizations based in the areas of Milan and Como, Rome and Latina, Catania, Palermo, Messina and Syracuse who supported research: La Cordata, Impresa e Valore Sociale – Case Saltatempo (Milano); Comunità Il Sicomoro (Milano); Comunità per Minori La Soglia di Casa (Milano); Associazione Villa Amantea (Milano); La Fanciullezza Onlus (Milano); Cooperativa Comunità Progetto (Milano); Fondazione Casa del Giovane la Madonnina (Milano); Caritas Ambrosiana (Milano); Associazione Sheb Sheb (Milano); Istituto Milanese Martinitt e Stelline e Pio Albergo Trivulzio (Milano); Associazione Fermata San Leonardo – Comunità e Famiglia (Milano); CivicoZero Onlus – Save the Children Italia (Milano); Parrocchia S.Martino, Rebbio (Como) CPIA 4 – Roma; CivicoZero Onlus – Save the Children Italia (Roma); Associazione Virtus Italia – Consorzio Solidarietà Sociale (Roma); MaTeMù – CIES onlus (Roma); Associazione No Working (Roma); Associazione Baobab Experience (Roma); Organizzazione Umanitaria Intersos (Roma); Il Tetto - Casal Fattoria – Onlus (Roma); Associazione Borgo Amigò (Roma); ALI – Accoglienza Libera Integrata Onlus (Roma); Comunità di Accoglienza Valmontone Onlus (Roma); Cooperativa Centro minori "Cooperativa La Pergola" (Cisterna di Latina); Cooperativa Casa Margherita, casa famiglia per Msna (Latina Scalo); Cooperativa Casa Gardenia, casa di accoglienza per donne e bambini (Latina Scalo); Associazione Casa dell’adolescente - Casa famiglia Rosetta (Caltanissetta); Associazione Penolope (Roma); Centro d'accoglienza a bassa soglia "Casa Najma Catania" Salesiani di Sicilia, Progetto "M'interesso di Te" (Catania); Cooperativa Futura 89' (Catania); Cooperativa Prospettiva (Catania); Consorzio Il Nodo (Catania); Cooperativa San Francesco (Caltagirone); Cooperativa San Francesco (Mirabella Imbaccari); Cooperativa San Francesco (San Michele di Ganzaria); CPIA 1 – Catania; Fondazione Cirino la Rosa (Catania); Ufficio supporto e monitoraggio tutori Unicef (Catania); Associazione "Padre Don Luigi Monti" (Siracusa); Associazione “l’Albero della vita” (Pachino); Associazione Onlus “La Pineta” (Canicattini Bagni); Comunità Fatebenefratelli (Siracusa); Comunità Oreb Augusta (Siracusa); Cooperativa Sociale “San Giovanni Don Bosco” (Noto); Cooperativa Sociale Onlus “Si può fare” (Noto); La Casa di Sarah (Avola); Associazione "A braccia aperte" (Palermo); Associazione Asante-Cas Azad (Palermo); Associazione Asante- Cas Elom (Palermo); Comunità "Arcobaleno" (Palermo); Comunità "Casa dei Mirti" (Palermo); Comunità "La Mimosa" (Palermo); Comunità "La Violetta" (Palermo); Sprar Msna di Via Roma (Palermo); Sprar Adulti Granatiere (Palermo); Sprar Adulti di Via Chopin, 16 (Palermo); UNICEF (Palermo); Casa Noemi (Faro Superiore Messina); Comunità Ismaele (Messina); Cooperativa Medihospes Casa Michelle (Messina); Sprar Adulti Milazzo (Messina); Sprar Adulti Pace del Mela (Messina); Sprar AironeTorre Faro (Messina). The warmest, most sincere and important thank you goes to all the boys and girls who accepted to share their life histories and experiences, pains, joys and hopes. Fondazione ISMU Contents Acronyms and abbreviations 7 Executive Summary 8 1. Introduction 12 2. Research methodology and tools 14 2.1 Research questions 14 2.2 Methodological approach and research tools 14 2.3 Description of the sample 16 2.4 Data analysis and validation of draft findings 16 2.5 Selection of research sites 17 2.6 The research team: Working with peer researchers 17 2.7 Ethical considerations 18 2.8 Limitations 18 3. Context 19 3.1 Considerations on, and approaches to, migration and the transition to adulthood 19 3.2 The normative framework and the reception system for UASC in Italy: Opportunities and protection 22 3.3 UASC in Italy 24 4. Expectations, aspirations and the future 27 4.1 UASC aspirations and family expectations 27 4.2 Desires and expectations in the transition to adulthood 31 5. The transition to adulthood: Pathways and factors for success 33 5.1 Characteristics and factors that facilitate or constrain UASC’s transition pathways 33 5.1.1 UASC's rights 33 5.1.2 The first step: The pathways in the reception system 36 5.1.3 UASC’s education and training pathways 37 5.1.4 The role of the guardian in the transition to adulthood 40 5.1.5 Becoming adults by building meaningful relationships 40 5.2 Transition to adulthood: What changes when UASC become adults 41 5.2.1 The rights of former UASC 41 5.2.2 Access to employment pathways 44 5.2.3 Housing independence 46 5.2.4 Friendly and supportive relations 47 4 At a crossroads. Unaccompanied and separated children in their transition to adulthood in Italy 6. Obstacles, risks and vulnerabilities in the transition to independence 51 6.1 Obstacles and vulnerabilities 51 6.1.1 Timing and obstacles related to the legal status of UASC and former UASC 51 6.1.2 Support when leaving the reception facilities 54 6.1.3 Trauma and psychological distress 55 6.2 Sexual and gender-based violence: Between vulnerability and resilience 56 6.3 The risks of exploitation and