Perspective of unaccompanied minor foreigners (UMA) in Germany

Data-Method-Monitoring Cluster

Project head: Dr. Franck Düvell ,  Prof. Dr. Magdalena Nowicka

Project coordination: Dr. Laura Scholaske

Project team members: Laura Juds

Unaccompanied minors are a particularly vulnerable group. In 2015, the legislature obliged the Federal Government to investigate the effects of the Act to Improve the Accommodation, Care and Support of Unaccompanied Foreign Children and Adolescents (Gesetz zur Verbesserung der Unterbringung, Versorgung und Betreuung unbegleiteter ausländischer Kinder und Jugendlicher) and to report on the results to the Bundestag by December 2020. Part of the evaluation takes into account the subjective perspectives of the children and young people. The study asked about the subjective perception of the young people's own living situation who entered Germany between November 2015 and 2019 and were (provisionally) taken into care. In particular, the study examined their (dis)satisfaction with life and health, with education and training, in relation to interactions with institutions in Germany (child and youth welfare), with social networks, as well as their expectations and aspirations for the future.

Results: From autumn 2019 to spring 2020, the DeZIM Institute conducted a mixed-methods study with unaccompanied minors and now young adults. This included a quantitative survey using a standardised questionnaire, in person as well as online, in which 168 people participated. In addition, 58 qualitative guided interviews were conducted. A DeZIM Project Report was published in 2021.

Funding: Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Third-party funding)