The project creates spaces for dialogue and collaboration that acknowledge the intersectionality of participants’ experiences, promoting inclusion, leadership skills development, and civic participation.
The edition involved 24 young people aged between 15 and 18, with a much broader ambition: U-Lead aims to engage up to 500 young people over the next five years, both in Florence and in other European cities.
Over the past twelve weeks, these groups have worked side by side to explore how children’s rights are experienced in everyday life, and where gaps remain. Drawing on both personal experience and research, participants developed proposals focused on four key areas: freedom of expression; access to adequate food, clothing and safe housing; protection from violence; and the right to rest, leisure and cultural participation.
“I learned many things. U-Lead gave me the chance to meet young Italian people and understand how things work in Italy,” said Ahmed, a young participant.
The initiative is jointly led by the Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute and UNICEF’s Office for Europe and Central Asia in Italy, and is grounded in a shared commitment to inclusion, dialogue and youth-led change. “Investing in young people means investing in the cohesion of our societies. U-Lead is a concrete example of how we can work together to make that happen,” said Andrew Geddes, Migration Policy Centre’s Director.
“U-Lead reflects UNICEF’s and EUI’s commitment to place children and young people at the centre of decisions that affect them. By equipping them with the tools, skills, and spaces to shape their future, the programme transforms participation into concrete skills, knowledge, and agency. It shows how powerful young people’s contributions can be to strengthen rights-based policies and more inclusive societies,” added Nicola Dell’Arciprete, UNICEF Coordinator for the Migration Response in Italy.
The closing event, taking place today in Badia Fiesolana, includes invitees from the Municipality of Florence, the Ministry of the Interior, and civil society organisations. Young people will present their proposals, take part in a public discussion with authorities, and receive certificates marking the completion of the programme.
U-Lead is rooted in the idea that meaningful cross-cultural relationships can support a more cohesive society and offer a proven model for migrant inclusion. “U-Lead taught me to be more sensitive and not to judge others because you never know their past,” said Giovanni, one of the participants.
Building on the results of this first edition, EUI and UNICEF are seeking to build partnerships with foundations, private donors, universities and regional and local governments to continue U-Lead in Florence and expand the model to other cities across Europe.
Press contacts
Mariaclaudia Carella
Press Officer, European University Institute
mariaclaudia.carella@eui.eu
+39 3454647312
UNICEF - press@unicef.it
About U-Lead
This initiative by the Migration Policy Centre at the European University Institute (EUI) and UNICEF Office for Europe and Central Asia connects unaccompanied minors, young adults, Italian high-school students and members of academia to build leadership, empathy and civic participation.
Grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, mixed youth teams identify the rights that matter to them, investigate how those rights are realised in daily life, and turn findings into advocacy. Designed with input from more than 50 local organisations and authorities, U-Lead is built to be replicable by cities and institutions across Europe. https://migrationpolicycentre.eu/u-lead/
About the European University Institute (EUI)
The European University Institute (EUI), located in Florence, Italy, is Europe’s postgraduate and postdoctoral research university dedicated to the social sciences and humanities. Established in 1972 by the European Union’s founding member states, the EUI is an intergovernmental organisation providing advanced academic training and cutting-edge research opportunities in the fields of economics, history, law, political and social sciences, and beyond. www.eui.eu
About UNICEF Europe & Central Asia (ECARO)
UNICEF works in countries and territories across Europe and Central Asia to uphold the rights of every child. UNICEF works to ensure every child is protected, healthy and educated, focusing on the children left behind by wider economic and social progress. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: https://www.unicef.org/eca/