Brussels, 5 November 2026 – Missing Children Europe organised the SafeBorders Policy Roundtable in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, justice professionals and civil society representatives to discuss how to identify children affected by trafficking earlier, improve access to protection and strengthen cooperation across borders.
The Permanent Representation of Romania to the European Union hosted the roundtable at its premises. Missing Children Europe warmly thanks H.E. Ms Iulia Matei, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Romania to the EU, for her support and welcoming remarks. She stressed the need to identify children early, protect them without delay and establish clear procedures for cooperation between authorities.
Held just weeks after the European Commission presented its renewed EU Strategy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the roundtable explored what putting the strategy into practice could mean for children. In their keynote addresses, Diane Schmitt, EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, emphasised that children exploited for criminal activities should be recognised as victims and should not be punished for acts they were compelled to commit. Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament, called for stronger prevention, including action on online recruitment, better safeguards for children in institutional care and specialised responses that meet children’s needs.
Drawing on the SafeBorders Handbook and the Athens Prosecutors’ Workshop, participants discussed how frontline professionals can recognise signs of trafficking and refer children to appropriate support, and how authorities can work together when investigations or protection needs cross borders. They also explored how prevention and investigations can keep pace with changing methods of online recruitment and exploitation while ensuring children receive support throughout judicial proceedings.
Participants reviewed the draft SafeBorders policy recommendations, considering what needs to change, who should act and what would make the greatest practical difference for children. Their feedback will inform the final recommendations, due to be published at the end of the project.
Missing Children Europe thanks the SafeBorders consortium, led by the Centre for European Constitutional Law, and all participants for sharing their expertise. The roundtable brought together perspectives from Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Romania, as well as the Western Balkans, EU institutions and international organisations.
About SafeBorders
SafeBorders is an EU funded project dedicated to combating child trafficking by strengthening the capacities of judicial authorities and frontline workers through strong cross-border cooperation in Greece, Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal, Belgium, Finland and the Western Balkans. The project focuses on prevention, protection, and prosecution to address the complex nature of child trafficking and safeguard vulnerable children from exploitation.
Co-funded by the European Union through the Internal Security Fund. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
