Swiss Ambassador Balzaretti Visits Unaccompanied Minor Reception Center in Italy

Sicignano degli Alburni, Italy – On March 19, 2026, Swiss Ambassador to Italy, Roberto Balzaretti, visited a reception center for unaccompanied minors in Sicignano degli Alburni (Salerno), Italy. The visit, accompanied by Marco Notarbartolo of UNHCR and a representative from the prefecture, highlights ongoing collaboration between Switzerland and Italy regarding migration and the protection of vulnerable children.

Strengthening Support for Unaccompanied Minors

The reception center in Sicignano degli Alburni currently houses 25 unaccompanied foreign minors, primarily aged 16 to 17. The children originate mainly from Egypt, Bangladesh, Tunisia, and Guinea. The center is part of a larger project, “Enhancing Reception and Protection Services for Unaccompanied Children in Italy,” involving 34 facilities across the country. This initiative is jointly promoted by the Italian Ministry of the Interior, the Swiss Secretariat of State for Migration (SEM), and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Dialogue and the ‘On the Way with Switzerland’ Initiative

During his visit, Ambassador Balzaretti engaged with the minors and center staff, discussing their needs and concerns. This visit is part of the ‘On the Way with Switzerland’ initiative, which aims to take the Ambassador to all twenty Italian regions by 2027 to foster dialogue and strengthen the relationship between Switzerland and Italy. As a symbol of this commitment, Ambassador Balzaretti will donate a bench made from recycled materials to a local institution in each region visited, creating spaces for exchange and information.

Statements from Ambassador Balzaretti and UNHCR

“Migration is a global phenomenon that affects all European states. I am struck by the work that our partners do with the authorities and with the managers of the centers that accompany teenagers who arrive alone and support them in finding and following their own path. With the second Swiss contribution we support this project, which aims to strengthen the assistance structures for unaccompanied foreign minors throughout Italy, from north to south. The staff likewise benefits greatly, because experiences and good practices are exchanged between the different regions. Cultural mediators have a very crucial role: they work closely with young people to create a climate of trust and it is precisely this trust that allows us to build a common future together,” stated Ambassador Balzaretti.

Anna Leer, UNHCR deputy representative for Italy, the Holy See, Malta and San Marino, added, “Minors who arrive in Italy alone have faced long and difficult journeys and need, first of all, a safe place where they can be listened to, supported and accompanied in building their future. Strengthening the quality of reception and supporting the staff who work every day in the centers is essential to ensure that each child receives the attention and protection they need. The collaboration between the Italian institutions, Switzerland and the UNHCR represents an important step to offer increasingly effective responses, in full respect of the superior interest of the minor.”

Project Details and Objectives

Launched in October 2024, the “Strengthening Reception and Protection Services for Unaccompanied Children in Italy” project aims to support Italian authorities in identifying needs and developing individualized inclusion and protection plans for unaccompanied minors. In 2025, 12,177 unaccompanied foreign minors arrived in Italy, representing approximately 18% of total sea arrivals – an increase from 13% in 2024. Currently, around 16,000 unaccompanied foreign minors reside in Italy, many facing lengthy integration processes.

The project focuses on four key pillars:

• Strengthening Institutional Coordination: Improving collaboration between national and local levels.
• Direct Interventions in Reception Centres: Providing support in regions like Lombardy, Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania, where specialized interventions were previously lacking. Psychosocial support is offered through Save the Children, a UNHCR partner.
• Training and Support for Center Staff: Enhancing the skills of reception center operators.
• Identification of the Needs of Minors: Prioritizing the needs of minors to strengthen support systems and protect them from exploitation.

The project aims to address the critical challenge of protecting unaccompanied minors from criminal networks, abuse, and exploitation by strengthening individualized support interventions.