Statelessness remains a significant issue of concern both in Europe and globally. The causes of statelessness are manifold and often stem from conflicts in nationality laws, state succession, forced displacement, historical and contemporary migration, structural birth registration problems, and administrative practices related to nationality. The right to a nationality is recognised in widely ratified international treaties and, according to the European Court of Human Rights, constitutes part of a person’s social identity. Yet, thousands of children are born or become stateless in Europe each year. The lack of nationality has a serious impact on a child’s life, including their enjoyment of the full range of human rights, such as access to education, healthcare, housing, and freedom of movement. www.coe.int/cdcj PREMS 016225 This study, carried out for the European Committee on Legal ­Co-operation of the Council of Europe, examines key issues such as preventing childhood statelessness, child-friendly nationality determination procedures, age assessments, awareness-raising measures and training of relevant actors. It also reviews international standards and national practices and identifies what appropriate follow-up could be given to address the difficulties faced by stateless children in procedures connected with access to nationality. ENG www.coe.int The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading human rights organisation. It comprises 46 member states, including all members of the European Union. All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The European Court of Human Rights oversees the implementation of the Convention in the member states.