For unaccompanied minors who have endured trauma, displacement, and the challenges of social exclusion, daily life can be overwhelming. These young individuals are often expected to navigate not only the emotional weight of their past but also the complex realities of adapting to a new cultural and social environment—frequently without the necessary psychosocial support.
To address this challenge, KMOP joins forces with the Terre des Hommes Foundation and Adventure Therapy to strengthen the mental well-being and social inclusion of refugee children and youth affected by war and forced displacement. Together, they are implementing “INTACT”, a European initiative that embraces a trauma-informed approach to recovery. Central to this initiative is “Trauma-Informed Adventure Therapy”, an innovative method that highlights the healing power of nature and physical activity in helping young people process trauma and regain a sense of stability and belonging.
Through INTACT, KMOP seeks to:
- Create safe and empowering spaces where children can step outside their routine, engage with nature, and experience freedom, strength, and connection.
- Support professionals working with unaccompanied minors by providing them with practical, trauma-informed tools to meet the children’s needs with sensitivity and care.
Nature-Based Activities to Foster Connection and Strength
On 11 and 17 July, in collaboration with Faros Elpidas – a shelter for unaccompanied minors – KMOP and its INTACT partners launched the project’s first outdoor activities. The children took part in hiking, cycling, and climbing, surrounded by nature.
These moments were not just recreational—they were transformative. The experience nurtured teamwork, strengthened communication, and encouraged mutual support. For the young participants, it offered a chance to build confidence, develop social skills, and begin to reimagine themselves not through the lens of trauma, but through resilience and hope.
INTACT is co-funded by the European Commission and contributes to KMOP’s wider mission to create inclusive, supportive environments for vulnerable groups across Europe.
To learn more about INTACT, please click here or contact us at [email protected].