The challenges of unaccompanied minors in Europe: budgets, migration, and demographic dynamics

The Challenges of Unaccompanied Minors and Public Budgets

Alice: Analysing the budgets allocated to unaccompanied minors is a complex task, especially in systems as fragmented as in France or Spain. However, with thousands of minors welcomed each year, it is crucial to know whether the resources allocated meet the real needs.

Carlos: In Spain, regionalised management further complicates things. Some regions, such as the Canary Islands or Ceuta, are overwhelmed by the influx of miners. However, other regions are taking in according to their capacities.

Sophie: In France, we welcome minors to the extent of the capacity in the territory. This makes it possible to maintain decent conditions for those who are taken care of, but some have to be redirected to other departments.

Luis: This is in contrast to the Canary Islands, where the Tindaya centre houses 80 minors with a capacity of 50, and Ceuta, which is facing a 247% overload with only 88 places available for 306 young people. These overloads undermine the infrastructure and the quality of educational support.

Missing data and dark web tools

David: These tensions over reception capacities underline the importance of reliable data. However, some budgetary or administrative information remains inaccessible or fragmented.

Nora: This is where tools like DarkOwl Vision or Maltego can come in handy. They allow you to explore data that is not publicly available and identify inconsistencies or trends in budgeting practices.

Alice:P give them an example of what they could reveal?

Nora:P Let's give a hypothetical example: if discussions on dark web forums talk about budget tensions in a specific region, this can prompt a deeper investigation into the official data. These tools are just a complement, but they help to ask the right questions.

Origins of UAMs and migration agreements

Carlos: Another area to explore is the origin of unaccompanied minors. In Spain, the majority come from countries such as Morocco, Algeria or Guinea, despite bilateral agreements aimed at regulating these flows.

Emma: It's similar in France. In 2021, nearly 50% of unaccompanied minors came from Mali, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, countries with which the European Union has signed migration agreements. These agreements aim to limit departures through local development programmes, but the results remain mixed.

Hugo:P why do these young people continue to come, despite all this?

Emma: The root causes remain the same: poverty, conflict, political instability, and the dream of a better future. These factors often exceed the effects of bilateral agreements.

Link to demographic needs

David: This raises another question: to what extent can these young people meet the labour needs in Europe, especially for unskilled jobs?

Emma: With a declining birth rate and an ageing population, these young people represent an opportunity. But for them to be able to contribute, they must be guaranteed access to education, training, and appropriate administrative procedures.

Luis: In Spain, many work in sectors such as agriculture or construction, where demand is high. But working conditions remain precarious, which limits their integration.

Sophie: In France, it's similar. But it also raises an ethical question: how can we avoid instrumentalizing these young people to meet economic needs, without first considering them as individuals with rights?

Conclusion: A long-term vision

Alice: This dialogue shows that the challenges of unaccompanied minors are not limited to budgets or reception capacities. They also affect the dynamics of migration and the demographic needs of our societies.

Carlos: And this requires a coordinated approach between countries of origin, transit, and destination, with transparent and effective public policies.

Emma: Absolutely. With the right policies, these young people can become an asset to our societies, while building a future for themselves.

Hugo: As a former MNA, I hope that these discussions will lead to concrete actions. We need a system that protects us and gives us a chance to succeed.