The project aims to strengthen the inclusion process for unaccompanied foreign minors (MSNA) by activating foster care pathways that pair minors with families, also supporting the Reception and Integration System (SAI). Specifically, awareness-raising and information activities were launched for potential foster carers and for MSNA about the opportunities offered by the foster care institution; a pilot model was established for the holistic care of MSNA and foster families based on mutual support, and the knowledge of SAI network actors, managing bodies, and social services on foster care was reinforced in order to promote and develop the skills needed to initiate and sustain foster placements. Finally, work was done to build a territorial network of public and private actors involved in the foster care process as an alternative to reception in residential communities.

Through a competent multidisciplinary team deployed in each involved province, a specific programme was implemented with the objective of creating individualized pathways that took into account the minor’s opinion, expectations, abilities, and inclinations. The foster family or individual foster carer was responsible for facilitating the minor’s understanding of the local social context and for supporting their inclusion process in the territory.

During the project, the following activities were carried out:

• Implementation by multidisciplinary teams of information and awareness-raising activities on foster care aimed at different target groups;

• Creation of shared intake and case-management tools in collaboration with social services offices;

• Organization of training sessions on psychological, transcultural, emotional/relational, bureaucratic and legal topics, and on the socio-educational dimension;

• Establishment and strengthening of a network of public and private actors involved in the foster care process and in promoting foster placement.