Sexual and reproductive health and rights for young refugees– best practice and lessons learned within the European region

<< Background >>Since 2015, tens of thousands of unaccompanied young refugees have arrived in Europe from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds. Turkey serves as both a host and transit country, Serbia as a key transit route, and Germany as a primary destination. While conditions vary across these contexts, our daily work reveals a shared reality: young refugees often lack fundamental knowledge about sexuality, gender equality, and reproductive health—gaps further complicated by cultural taboos and misinformation.Stakeholders in all three countries also face considerable challenges, particularly in navigating cultural sensitivities and language barriers, which hinder effective communication. Existing sexuality education programs are generally not adapted to the specific needs of these young people. As a result, accessible, evidence-based, and culturally responsive resources remain scarce.This project was initiated to address the urgent need for tailored sexuality education that equips young refugees with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. The project supports their overall well-being, protects their rights, and fosters social integration.<< Objectives >>Through a comprehensive literature review, the project aimed to identify existing evidence on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), compile key findings, assess their impact, and make this information accessible to a wider audience. In parallel, national surveys were conducted to gain deeper insights into the situation in the project countries and to identify key stakeholders.The project focused on gathering and adapting CSE methods specifically tailored to the needs of young refugees, empowering them to take informed and responsible control over their sexuality and relationships. It addressed the critical gap in CSE and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) within both formal and non-formal education contexts.Moreover, the project aimed to establish a national and international information network to improve refugees' access to SRHR services across European countries. By building the capacity of multipliers and relevant stakeholders, the project ensured sustainable outreach and raised awareness. Ultimately, it sought to enhance the health, well-being, and gender equality of refugee youth—supporting their fundamental rights and equipping them to make informed decisions throughout their development.<< Implementation >>Following the preparation phase, national network meetings were held in March 2024 in all three countries to gather nationally relevant CSE methods for young refugees and to establish strong national networks. Followed by a transnational meeting in April 2024, which facilitated the exchange of outcomes from the national meetings.November 2024, an international conference and a study tour took place in Istanbul, bringing together experts from the health sector, NGOs, government bodies, and UN institutions. This event provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and methods, reflecting on lessons learned and building capacity.Throughout the project, stakeholders actively engaged in developing and refining comprehensive sexuality education programs tailored specifically to the needs of young refugees. The project culminated in the publication “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Young Refugees – Practical Examples and Lessons Learned”, including effective methods for working with young refugees on CSE, alongside lessons learned, a literature review, and recommendations related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. It is available in: English, German, Serbian, and Turkish online and printed versions.<< Results >>The project produced the publication “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for Young Refugees – Practical Examples and Lessons Learned.” It provides an overview of the situation of refugee youth in Europe, alongside in-depth chapters on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). It analyzes scientific literature, emphasizing the need for cultural sensitivity, addressing issues of cultural racism, and underscoring the value of participatory approaches. It features practical tools for delivering CSE and national online resources from European countries. It includes concrete examples from workshops and outreach strategies implemented across the partner countries, offering hands-on insights for practitioners. This output serves as an evidence-based resource to support stakeholders in designing and implementing culturally sensitive and effective SRHR programs for young refugees.Another key output includes the findings from national surveys and meetings, which explored the current status of CSE and SRHR in each partner country. These efforts contributed to the creation of national and international networks laying the ground for long-term collaboration in the field.