CHILD-UP Project: Enhancing the Integration of Migrant Children through Education
The Horizon 2020 CHILD-UP project (2020-2022) aimed to address the challenges faced by migrant children in Europe, focusing on their inclusion, protection, and quality of life through education. The project brought together partners from eight European countries, including universities, research institutes, and humanitarian organisations. The key partners included the Department of Studies on Language and Culture at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) as the project coordinator, the University of Dresden (Germany), Institute of Sociology at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow (Poland), Université de Liège (Belgium), University of Northampton (United Kingdom), Malmö University (Sweden), Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (Finland), the International Institute of Humanitarian Law (Italy), the European School Head Association (Netherlands), and the Fédération des Régions pour la Recherche, l’Education et la Formation (France). These diverse teams worked together to explore integration policies and practices in schools, refugee centres, and social care systems.
Key objectives included producing reports on the living conditions and education of migrant children, investigating integration policies, and examining children’s experiences and agency. A central concept was the active participation of children in shaping their educational environment, empowering them to influence social arrangements and overcome barriers in their schooling. The project also explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly altered the research process. The closure of schools during lockdowns provided new challenges but also opportunities to reassess integration practices. Both quantitative and qualitative research, with contributions from the Polish team, investigated factors such as language skills, gender, and social relationships in the context of migrant children’s schooling.
Results highlighted the importance of schools as both educational and social spaces where children can develop a sense of agency. Children expressed a need for greater involvement in decision-making, reflecting on their educational goals and future aspirations. The research also pointed to the crucial role of multilingualism, peer networks, and the need for inclusive teaching methods that foster collaboration and mutual support.
For more information about the CHILD-UP project and its connection to STRIDE, visit the STRIDE related projects page here.
For more insights and detailed findings, visit the CHILD-UP project website: https://www.child-up.eu.