Never Alone


Project introduction 

The Never Alone project began in 2015 at the Annual General Assembly of the European Foundation Centre (EFC) in Milan, with the aim of supporting unaccompanied alien minors (UAMs) and young adults in Italy and Europe. The initiative, initially part of the European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM), has witnessed the collaboration of various Italian and European foundations to promote the well-being and social inclusion of young migrants. 

In Italy, the project is led by Fondazione Cariplo together with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, Fondazione CON IL SUD, Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena and Fondazione Peppino Vismara. Fondazione Enel Cuore and JP Morgan also contributed on specific topics. 


Previous project phases 


Phases 1 & 2 (2016-2019)

With a total investment of €9,650,000, the project has made it possible to launch two national calls for proposals aimed at innovation in care for UAMs, by promoting integration and independence while respecting the children’s rights. In the two editions, 16 projects were funded in 12 Italian regions, involving over 120 institutions (at least 20 of which are public) and supporting over 4,000 young migrants. 

During phase 2, the voluntary protection system (Law 47/2017) was strengthened, with three experimental projects to support voluntary guardians in Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily and the national project “Pass4You” – to support guardians in accessing embassies to obtain a passport for the UAM, an essential document for conversion of a children’s residence permit. 

A training action was also carried out to encourage a more inclusive narrative on the topic of migration, using materials from the International Centre for Policy and Advocacy (ICPA) in Berlin.


Phase 3 (2021-2022)

With €1,855,000 of resources available, the focus remained on the transition to adulthood and independence. In conjunction with the social enterprise Con i Bambini, the “For a possible tomorrow” call for proposals was promoted, in continuity with the Never Alone experience.  

Through the “Constellations” project, a community of practice has been developed around the transition to adulthood, planned and implemented to capitalise on the experiences gained since the initiative began and to strengthen the subjects by sharing of best practices relating to three axes: work, housing and social relations. 
The “Guardians Network” project was also launched, which led to the creation of a second-level national association of volunteer legal guardians. The dissemination of the ICPA narrative kit and the training of a team of trainers with specific skills continued. 


Current phase (since 2024) 

In June 2024, approval was given for phase 4 of the project, which includes interventions in five strategic areas.

  • Transition to adulthood: continuation of the community of practice on the three axes of intervention previously identified – work, housing and social relations – and on a further focus relating to language learning and training.
  • Support for the voluntary guardianship system: extension to national level of support activities for voluntary guardians and experimentation with mentoring.
  • Reception: actions aimed at strengthening the capacity of local areas to welcome minors in a structural way, including by trialling contingency plans and strengthening forms of widespread reception.
  • Protection: actions aimed at preventing situations of violence, abuse and unaccompanied alien minors becoming involved in illegal activities.
  • Development of experimental actions at local level.