To mark the World Refugee Day, the Council of Europe Youth Department is hosting a two-day seminar at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg to spotlight the challenges faced by young refugees as they transition to adulthood.

 The seminar “Supporting Young Refugees: The Next Chapter” will review and reinforce the implementation of Recommendation CM/Rec(2019)4 on Supporting Young Refugees in Transition to Adulthood, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 24 April 2019.

 Mariam Tartousi, member of the Advisory Council on Youth highlighted the importance of the Recommendation: "Legal adulthood does not equal invulnerability; youth rights must include every young person, regardless of their migration status. This Recommendation is more than policy—it’s a call to action for all who shape the future."

 Held on 19 and 20 June, the seminar brings together 31 practitioners, experts, youth workers, and representatives from civil-society and refugee-led organisations across 20 Council of Europe member states. Together, they aim to improve support systems for young refugees and migrants navigating life after turning 18 — a stage when many lose key protections and face new obstacles in housing, education, employment, healthcare and psychological support.

 Participants exchange experiences, discuss ongoing challenges, and propose concrete actions for the years ahead. The event also highlights findings from recent research on how the recommendation has been applied in practice.

 The seminar forms part of the Council of Europe’s wider efforts under its Action Plan on Protecting Vulnerable Persons in the Context of Migration and Asylum (2021–2025) and builds on initiatives like the Turning 18 with Confidence guide launched in 2023.

 The seminar is organised in partnership with PICUM (platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants), VOICIFY, Voices of Young Refugees in Europe (VYRE), and the Youth Social Rights Network (YSRN) and the Council of Europe Division on Migration and Refugees.