Expert Group on Children at Risk meets in Wrocław to strengthen regional cooperation

The meeting of the CBSS Expert Group on Children at Risk, hosted by the CBSS Polish Presidency on 12-13 March 2026 in Wrocław, brought together representatives of national authorities, international organisations and experts from across the Baltic Sea Region, including the Polish Children's Rights Ombudsman, the Ministry of Justice, and organisations such as IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF.

A central element of the meeting was a thematic seminar dedicated to children with refugee experience. Discussions focused on key challenges faced by national systems, the importance of effective inter-agency cooperation, the development of child-friendly justice, and the need for tailored support arrangements for unaccompanied children.

The exchanges reflected the priorities of the Expert Group under the Polish Presidency, particularly the need to strengthen responses to the impact of war on children, enhance practical support at national and local levels for refugee and migrant children, and further improve child protection systems. Participants explored ways to make systems more responsive and better connected through child-centred approaches, integrated services, and stronger cross-border cooperation.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for Expert Group members to share updates from their respective countries and reflect on lessons learned. This ongoing exchange remains a core component of the group's work, fostering mutual learning and reinforcing regional cooperation to better address the needs of children in vulnerable situations.