Why the need for a European Network on Statelessness?

The UN Refugee Agency has estimated that there are over 12 million stateless persons worldwide. Some 600,000, at least, live in Europe. Yet statelessness remains a relatively hidden and little understood issue. With both government and civil society organisations often unaware of the problem, many stateless persons find themselves stuck in the margins of society without respect for their basic human rights. ENS was set up against this backdrop and to fill a perceived gap by acting as a coordinating body and expert resource for organisations across Europe who work with or come into contact with stateless persons.