Better Judicial Cooperation and Family Mediation in International Child Abduction Cases (iCare2)

The project iCare2 aims at supporting the implementation of the New Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 of 25 June 2019 on jurisdiction, the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, and on international child abduction (recast – also known as “Brussels II a” or “Brussels II ter”) entered into application on 1st August 2022 replacing the Regulation (CE) n. 2201/2003 (“Bruxelles II bis”) by strengthening international family mediation with a child-rights perspective and setting up solid reference points for pre-mediation in the partner countries, learning from existing practice in EU Member States.

The proposal aims at addressing some of the needs and challenges deriving from the application of the New Regulation (the emphasis on children’s rights, the prominent role to family mediation in cross-border disputes, the importance given to Central Authorities…) through a multi-level action and in collaboration with main relevant national stakeholders - civil society organisations and universities - in Italy, Bulgaria, France and Poland and enlarging its scope to Europe with the support of EU wide networks like MCE and ISS.

Main activities:

• Research in Italy, Bulgaria, France and Poland to analyse the level of compliance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 and develop recommendations for strengthening its implementation in partner countries; Main deliverables: national reports Italy, France, Bulgaria, Poland; transnational report; EU Guidelines.
• Child and Gender Sensitive Capacity Building activities at national and European level involving more than 400 professionals in a Train the Trainer event and national MeetUps.
• Study Visit in France and setup and launch of 4 Pre-mediation info desk Italy, France, Bulgaria and Poland
• Value and disseminate the iCARE 2 outcomes through networking and communication activities, as well as a final European seminar.