Familiarizing refugee parents with the tools, procedures, and mechanisms that would facilitate their children’s more effective educational and social integration is one of the objectives of the project “Empowering refugee girls and boys from Ukraine through inclusive and empathetic education in the Republic of Moldova.” To this end, in the seven beneficiary localities (Chișinău, Cimișlia, Criuleni, Dondușeni, Comrat, Vulcănești, and Ceadâr-Lunga), information sessions were launched for parents, legal representatives, and caregivers of refugee children, held in partnership with local public authorities, education departments, social assistance and family protection departments, and other relevant institutions. The first of the three planned activities focused on the educational services available and the psychological support that refugees can access. The meetings, attended by 420 people and moderated by local project coordinators, featured speakers from education departments, representatives of institutions offering psychological support, and psychologists from online community education centers (Digital Hub).

During these meetings, the types of educational institutions, the process of enrolling in kindergarten and school (necessary documents, facilities offered to refugees, etc.), the benefits of including preschool and school-age refugees in the national education system, etc. were discussed. The “psychological support” dimension was addressed by reviewing the services that can be accessed, discussing the importance of emotional support in difficult times, and the role of parents in ensuring the well-being of their children.

Also, for documentation purposes, the project developed a “Your Support Brochure in Moldova” containing useful information for everyday life about: the rights of refugees in the Republic of Moldova; the steps to be taken to benefit from temporary protection; free services and support available; institutions and organizations (addresses, contact details, responsible persons, etc.) that they can turn to in case of need. The brochure, published in Ukrainian and Russian, will be distributed to Ukrainian refugees in the pilot localities of the project and beyond.

The project “Empowering refugee girls and boys from Ukraine through inclusive and empathetic education in the Republic of Moldova” is implemented by the PRO DIDACTICA Educational Center, with financial support from the “Pestalozzi” Children’s Foundation.