Children and Families in Difficult Situations to Receive Support from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and Civil Society
Fewer children separated from their families and more support services at the local level – these are the priorities of a new partnership between central public authorities and civil society. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the I.P. Keystone Moldova, the A.O. “CCF Moldova – Child, Community, Family” and the A.O. “Partnerships for Every Child” signed a Cooperation Agreement today, 4 September 2026, in Chisinau.
The document establishes the responsibilities and the framework for cooperation between central authorities and civil society organizations to support children and families facing difficulties. The Agreement is signed in the context of implementing the project “Stronger Civil Society – Safer Childhood: Supporting the Transformation of the Child Protection System in the Republic of Moldova”, funded by the European Union.
The partnership will contribute to creating a safe and supportive environment for around 500 children facing difficult situations and at risk, including children with disabilities and/or children with special educational needs, through the development and strengthening of social services and community-based programmes aimed at reducing the risks of abandonment, neglect and abuse and supporting families in caring for their children. At the same time, the partnership will provide the necessary support for at least 20 children with severe disabilities from residential institutions to live in the community and benefit from quality social services, care and support tailored to their individual needs.
Achieving these results will be supported through an extensive grant programme for at least 11 non-governmental organizations from several regions of the country, which will contribute to developing and implementing community-based solutions for children and families.
“Every child should grow and develop within a family. Through this partnership, we want to be closer to children and families who need support. We want to have well-trained specialists, accessible services in communities and, above all, to intervene in a timely manner, before a child becomes separated from their family. Both the authorities and civil society organizations share the same goal: to build a system that supports families and protects children,” said Minister of Labour and Social Protection Natalia Plugaru at the signing ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement.
Through the involvement of authorities, specialists and non-governmental organizations, the capacity of the child protection system to intervene at the first signs of vulnerability will be strengthened, helping prevent the separation of children from their families and their placement in residential institutions.
“We want families and communities to stand by children when difficulties or risks arise. We are focusing on prevention, accessible community-based services and the active participation of civil society, while our partnership with the central authorities gives us confidence that we will be able to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up safely,” said Prof. Dr. hab. Ludmila Malcoci, Executive Director of Keystone Moldova.
The project “Stronger Civil Society – Safer Childhood: Supporting the Transformation of the Child Protection System in the Republic of Moldova” will run until January 2029, with a total budget of €2.1 million.
