The document sets out the responsibilities and the framework for cooperation between central authorities and civil society organisations to support children and families in need. The agreement has been signed as part of the implementation of the project “Stronger Civil Society, Safer Childhoods: Supporting Moldova’s Child Care Transformation”, financed by the European Union.

The partnership will help to create a safe and supportive environment for around 500 children in difficulty and at risk, including children with disabilities and/or children with special educational needs, by developing and strengthening social services and community programmes designed to reduce the risks of abandonment, neglect and abuse, and to support families in caring for their children. At the same time, the partnership will provide the necessary support to enable at least 20 children with severe disabilities in residential care to live in the community and benefit from high-quality social services, care and support, tailored to their individual needs.

These results will be sustained by a comprehensive grant programme, aimed at at least 11 non-governmental organisations across several regions of the country, which will contribute to the development and implementation of community-based solutions for children and families.

“Every child should grow up and develop within a family. Through this partnership, we want to be closer to children and families in need of support. We want to have well-trained specialists, accessible services in communities and, above all, to intervene in good time, before a child is separated from his or her family. We share the same objective, both the authorities and civil society organisations: to build a system that supports families and protects children,” said the Minister for Labour and Social Protection, Natalia Plugaru, at the signing ceremony for the Cooperation Agreement.

Through the involvement of the authorities, specialists and non-governmental organisations, the child protection system’s capacity to intervene at the first signs of vulnerability will be improved, thereby preventing children from being separated from their families and placed in residential care.

“We want families and communities to be there for children when difficulties or risks arise. We focus on prevention, accessible community services and the active involvement of civil society, and our partnership with the central authorities gives us the confidence that we will be able to ensure every child has the chance to grow up safely,” said Prof. Ludmila Malcoci, PhD, Executive Director of Keystone Moldova. 

The “Stronger Civil Society, Safer Childhoods: Supporting Moldova’s Child Care Transformation” project will run until January 2029, with a total budget of 2.1 million euros. 

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This material was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its content represents the sole responsibility of the “Stronger Civil Society, Safer Childhoods: Supporting Moldova’s Child Care Transformation” project, financed by the European Union, co-financed and implemented by Keystone Moldova, Child, Community, Family (CCF Moldova), and Partnerships for Every Child. The content of the material belongs to the authors and does not necessarily reflect the vision of the European Union.