On 21 January 2026, ten civil society organisations in Moldova received grants totalling 500,000 euros to create afterschool services for children in rural areas.
The grants are made possible through the EU-funded project “BOOST: A Memorable Extracurricular Experience”, led by Terre des hommes Moldova, and implemented in partnership with Junior Achievement Moldova and the Alliance of NGOs Active in the Field of Social Protection of Children and Families (APSCF).
Filling a gap in rural communities
After school hours, children's time is not just free time – it is also a real opportunity to learn, grow, and feel safe. In many rural and vulnerable communities in Moldova, however, this opportunity is missing due to limited access to afterschool services and educational opportunities.
Elena Madan, director of Terre des hommes Moldova, explained why this project matters. "The BOOST project responds to an unmet need in Moldova, especially in rural communities, where children lack access to diverse, high-quality extracurricular services," she said.
The call for applications drew strong interest – 113 organisations applied for the opportunity. The selection committee chose ten finalists, who will each receive between 20,000 and 60,000 euros to run their programmes.
Through these 10 subgrants:
approximately 2,500 children will gain access to safe, afterschool activities tailored to their needs, in communities where such services are limited or unavailable;
more than 130 teachers and facilitators will receive training and mentoring support to deliver high-quality afterschool activities;
around 600 parents will take part in information activities, consultation sessions, and feedback processes related to afterschool services, playing an active role in adapting them to children’s needs;
rural and marginalized communities will benefit from sustainable, well-functioning afterschool services.
Martina Spernbauer from the EU Delegation to Moldova emphasized the importance of working with local groups. "For us, it is a priority to support such projects, implemented at the local level, in partnership with local authorities and carried out by civil society organisations," she noted.
What the programmes will offer
The ten projects will serve children aged 7 to 14 across 13 districts in Moldova. The focus is on reaching children in rural areas and those from vulnerable families who often miss out on enrichment opportunities.
The programmes will provide:
Safe spaces where children can learn and play
Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) activities
Digital skills training
Sports and creative arts
Support for mental health and social inclusion
Irina Baran from the Ministry of Education and Research praised the collaborative approach. "Together, we are making a joint effort to support education and inclusion for children in our country," she said.
Children's voices shape the project
Young people aren't just benefiting from this initiative – they're helping guide it. The project includes a Child and Youth Advisory Board, which will monitor how well the activities meet children's needs.
At the award ceremony, three board members shared findings from a study they conducted about afterschool activities in Moldova. Loredana, one of the young researchers, explained what they discovered.
"Some of the major reasons why children in Moldova do not participate in afterschool activities are lack of time, high costs, distance, and lack of information," she said. "Many children would like to participate, but the problem is that they do not have the necessary conditions and opportunities."
Looking ahead
When the projects conclude, successful approaches will be shared with the Ministry of Education and Research. The goal is to spread effective programs to more communities across the country.
The ten organisations and their projects:
Regional Women's Center EVA – "EVA Afterschool Plus"
CASMED – "ARIPI: Empowerment for Resilience, Inclusion, Parenting, and Learning"
Social Mission Diaconia – "Equal Opportunities for Children in Rural Areas"
Amici dei Bambini Moldova – "SAFE: Safety, Acceptance, Family, Education"
Institute for Rural Initiatives – "Beyond the Classroom: Extracurricular Experiences for the Future"
Social Development and Innovation Association – "BiblioBOOST: After-School Programme"
Regional Center for Social Initiatives and Sustainable Development – "Partnership for Education and Inclusion of Children and Youth at Local Level"
Ajuta un Om Foundation – "Casa Bună: Growing Together with Resilient Children, Families, and Communities"
SinCopa – "Steps on the Musical Staff"
Inotek Foundation – "Equal Opportunities through Digital Education"
