From vulnerabilities to opportunities: A bright future for Ukrainian children and young people
In this report, we draw attention to the specific situation of Ukrainian children and young people in the Netherlands. We urge the national government to take immediate action to improve the situation of nearly 21,000 Ukrainian children and young people in the Netherlands. Many are stuck due to uncertainty about their temporary residence status. They do not have adequate access to education. And our healthcare system also falls short in providing them with mental health support. We advocate for greater (financial) commitment from the government, municipalities, and institutions. By investing in good education and mental health support now, we can strengthen the resilience of Ukrainian children and young people.
Monique Kremer, chair of the Advisory Council on Migration:
“Like their parents, these children and young people live in constant uncertainty about their future. They move regularly and are concerned about the situation in Ukraine. All of this causes psychological stress. That is why it is essential to provide clarity about their residence status as soon as possible. At the same time, we must offer them a good future, whether their future lies in the Netherlands or in Ukraine.”
Give children and young people more certainty about their right to remain
The government must quickly provide clarity about the policies that will be implemented after the temporary protection of Ukrainians ends in March 2027. The subsequent arrangement must explicitly address the position of children and young people. Their rights, as laid down in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, must play a central role. Clear and accessible information about where they stand and what regulations apply to them is crucial in this regard. Many Ukrainian children and young people have been living in temporary accommodation for more than two years and do not know whether they can stay in the Netherlands in the future. This uncertainty causes stress and hinders their (social) development. At school, they are more likely to drop out or underachieve. This has consequences for their future employment opportunities.
Better access to education
The Advisory Council calls on the government to invest in educational opportunities for Ukrainian children and young people in order to prevent dropouts and underutilization of talent. They receive two years of language lessons at the International Transition School (ISK) to prepare them for regular education. For some children, this is not enough, but schools are not reimbursed for an extra year. In addition, many young people receive advice about a suitable type of secondary school that is below their capabilities, also higher education (university or university of applied sciences) is virtually inaccessible. This is not due to a lack of talent, but because they are not entitled to student grants and have to pay much higher tuition fees (over €10,000 per year).
Strengthen mental support
The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, municipalities, and healthcare and welfare institutions should support psychologists, social workers, and therapists in using their Ukrainian qualifications in the Netherlands. Ukrainian children and young people are in urgent need of mental healthcare to address mental health issues and process trauma. It is important that this care takes cultural differences into account.
Youth summary
We have also written a youth summary for this report so that young people can read the most important message from the report themselves. It is available in Dutch, English, and Ukrainian.