EU allocates €500,000 for after-school programmes for children in Moldova

Thousands of children from rural communities in the Republic of Moldova will gain access to quality and interactive after-school educational programmes, delivered by ten civil society organisations with financial support from the European Union amounting to up to €500,000. The initiative is implemented under the project “BOOST: An Unforgettable After-School Experience”, funded by the EU and implemented by Terre des hommes Moldova Foundation in partnership with Junior Achievement Moldova and APSCF.

After school, children do not only gain free time, but also a real opportunity to learn, develop, and spend time in a safe environment. However, in many rural and vulnerable communities in Moldova, such opportunities are limited due to restricted access to after-school and educational services.

To address this challenge, ten civil society organisations will receive grants totalling up to €500,000 to develop and expand after-school and extracurricular services, benefiting around 2,500 children aged 7 to 14. These EU grants will help create safe and structured spaces for after-school activities and support a wide range of educational opportunities — from homework support and learning reinforcement to STEAM workshops, digital education, arts, sports, and creative activities — all aimed at supporting learning and the well-rounded development of children.

In addition, the initiatives will promote social inclusion, well-being, and resilience among children, encourage the involvement of parents and teachers in community-level educational activities, and ensure access to quality after-school services for vulnerable children, including those from low-income families and rural areas.

These services will be available in the districts of Căușeni, Telenești, Cahul, Florești, Călărași, Ocnița, Rîșcani, Glodeni, Fălești, Sîngerei, Criuleni, Orhei, and Hîncești.

Beyond financial support, the selected organisations will receive an integrated capacity-building package, including staff training, mentoring throughout implementation, counselling on child protection and child participation, support in financial management, and peer exchange between organisations to ensure high-quality, safe, and sustainable services at local level.

Civil society organisations selected to deliver after-school services:

• Public Association “Regional Women’s Centre EVA” (project “EVA Afterschool Plus”)
• Public Association “CASMED” (project “ARIPI – Abilities, Resilience, Inclusion, Parenting and Learning”)
• Religious Institution Social Mission “Diaconia” of the Metropolis of Bessarabia (project “Equal Opportunities for Children from Rural Areas”)
• Public Association “Amici dei Bambini – Moldova” (project “SAFE – Safety, Acceptance, Family, Education”)
• Public Association “Institute for Rural Initiatives” (project “Beyond the Classroom: After-School Experiences for the Future”)
• Public Association “Association for Development and Social Innovation” (project “BiblioBOOST: School After School”)
• Public Association “Regional Centre for Social Initiatives and Sustainable Development” (project “Partnership for Education and Inclusion of Children and Youth at Local Level”)
• Public Association “AJUTĂ UN OM” (project “Kind Home – Growing Together: Children, Families and Resilient Communities”)
• Public Association “SinCopa” (project “Steps to the Music”)
• INOTEK Foundation (project “Equal Opportunities through Digital Education”)

Background

BOOST – “An Unforgettable After-School Experience” (2025–2028) is an EU-funded project aimed at strengthening communities in Moldova so they can provide quality after-school and social services for children and youth, with a strong focus on inclusion and equal access for vulnerable and marginalised groups. The project combines financial support (grants), technical expertise, and capacity development, working in partnership with public institutions and applying best European practices.

The total budget of the BOOST project is €1,174,684, of which the European Union’s non-reimbursable contribution amounts to €1 million.

держку (гранты), техническую экспертизу и развитие компетенций, работая в партнерстве с государственными учреждениями и используя лучшие европейские практики.

Общий бюджет проекта BOOST составляет 1 174 684 евро, из которых безвозмездный вклад Европейского Союза составляет 1 миллион евро.