Who we are
For over 30 years, the organization **Partnerships for Every Child** has been at the forefront of child protection reform in the Republic of Moldova.
With extensive experience in the field, we provide support to local and national authorities in developing and implementing services and programs designed to help children and their families. These initiatives are backed by effective communication and advocacy strategies and aim to prevent the separation of children from their families, as well as strengthen community-based services that guarantee every child's right to grow up in a family.
Our efforts have helped keep approximately **100,000 children with their families**, promoted inclusive education for children with disabilities, and supported children and young people with lived experience to develop their skills and claim their rights.
Guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the national priorities of the Republic of Moldova, P4EC continues to strengthen the child protection system so that every child can grow up in a safe, stable, and supportive environment.
Our history
1995
EveryChild began working in the Republic of Moldova, implementing an EU-funded project in collaboration with the Chișinău City Hall.
1997
The Chișinău Municipal Directorate for the Protection of Children’s Rights was created for the first time in the country.
1998
The first team of 15 social assistants was recruited and trained to pilot Family Support and Reintegration Services in the municipality of Chișinău.
1999
The first Small Group Home for children with disabilities who were left without parental care was opened in Chișinău. EveryChild expanded its activity to Cahul and Tiraspol to disseminate Family Support and Reintegration Services.
2000
The piloting of the Professional Parental Assistance Service was launched for the first time in the country, in cooperation with the Chișinău Municipal Directorate for the Protection of Children’s Rights.
2002
The first Day Center for children with disabilities was opened in Cahul, in collaboration with UNICEF and local authorities. The EveryChild program was expanded to the fourth district—Ungheni, where a program for the development of integrated social services for children and families was implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and the Ungheni District Council.
2003
The Republican Center for Street Children was reorganized into a child-friendly service. EveryChild began implementing an EU-funded project—Tacis “Capacity building in social policy reform.”
2004
The EveryChild program was expanded to the fifth district—Orhei. In collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, legislation and methodology for preventing institutionalization were developed and tested in three districts—Cahul, Orhei, and Ungheni.
2005
The communication and advocacy campaign “Call the Future Home” was initiated regarding the need for reform in the child care system, which was recognized as one of the most successful in the field. The first three residential institutions in Ungheni, Orhei, and Cahul were evaluated, and local strategies for reforming the child care system were developed. An analysis of expenditures for residential child care in the Republic of Moldova and a comparative analysis of the costs of residential care and community services were carried out; the findings were presented to central authorities to influence the initiation of changes in the system.
2006
The national reform for the reorganization of the residential child care system was launched by the country’s President at a national conference organized by EveryChild, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Presidency of the Republic of Moldova. A comprehensive package of services for preventing institutionalization and family-type alternative services was developed in three districts, and the lessons learned were disseminated in 50% of the districts in Moldova. Institutionalization was prevented for 2432 children in three districts, 245 children were reintegrated into their families, and 55 children were placed in professional parental assistance. The EveryChild program expanded to the sixth district—Soroca, supporting local authorities to develop an integrated social service system for children and families.
2007
As a result of the advocacy campaign promoted by EveryChild and with the support of UNICEF, the first residential institution in the republic, the auxiliary school in Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Cahul, was closed. The Regulation of the Commission for the Protection of Children in Difficulty and the Professional Parental Assistance Service were approved by the Government. These legislative acts facilitated the reduction of the number of children in residential care. The National Strategy for the reorganization of the child care system and the Action Plan were developed and approved by the Government. EveryChild launched the implementation of a program for preventing infant abandonment in Chișinău and Ungheni. The second residential institution in Cahul entered the transformation process. EveryChild, in collaboration with the British organization Oxford Policy Management, initiated a DFID and SIDA-funded project “Support in the development of efficient and sustainable social assistance services” to support the Ministry of Social Protection, Family, and Child in implementing social assistance reform.
2008
The National Program for the development of an integrated social services system and Quality Standards for the Professional Parental Assistance Service were approved by the Government of the Republic of Moldova. The Law and Regulation of Social Assistance (a benefit granted based on income evaluation) were approved by Parliament. Nine other districts created Commissions for the protection of children in difficulty as a result of the approval of national legislation.
2009
The Law on Social Services was approved by Parliament. Social assistance was extended nationwide; approximately 16,000 families monthly (most of them being families with children) benefit from financial support according to the new legislation. The parent-child centers created in Ungheni and Chișinău became operational and offered specialized support to infants and their parents, preventing abandonment and facilitating the reintegration of the mother and child into the family and community. In Cahul, the first stage of the reorganization of the boarding school was completed: all children (along with the teaching staff) were integrated into general schools; 47 out of 131 children were reintegrated into their biological and extended families. A family-type placement center was created and is operational. Nine new districts were covered by EveryChild by providing technical assistance to local authorities in developing the Professional Parental Assistance Service and the Institutionalization Prevention System.
2010
EveryChild Moldova, in collaboration with UNICEF, piloted an inclusive education model for children with special needs who were in residential care in Fălești and Ungheni. 144 children from 3 special schools were evaluated; 91 children were reintegrated into families or placed in alternative family care; 148 directors and deputy directors from 74 community schools were trained in inclusive education; one institution was closed and two others were prepared for closure in 2011. EveryChild, in collaboration with OPM and the Ministry of Social Protection, Family and Child, provided 80 hours of training for 800 community social workers and 220 employees of the Community Social Assistance Service and the Home Care Service throughout the country. Nine other new districts were covered by EveryChild in providing technical assistance to local authorities to develop the Professional Parental Assistance Service and the Institutionalization Prevention System. EveryChild began implementing, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family and with local authorities in Călărași, Fălești and Ungheni, a USAID-funded project “Ensuring the child’s right to a family and their protection from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation,” which is being implemented in 3 districts covering 8 residential institutions for children and concurrently developing systems for preventing institutionalization and family and community-based services.
2011
An Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Guidelines on alternative child care was developed based on an analysis of national legislation. A new Law on child protection, regulations, and standards for social services are in the process of being revised and developed in accordance with the UN Guidelines. 2 auxiliary schools that entered the transformation process in 2011 were closed, another 4 residential institutions from 4 districts with 372 children were evaluated, 3 of them were closed; 140 children were reintegrated into families, 88 children were placed with extended family or alternative family care, 77 graduated from school. In Cahul, the transformation process of the former residential institution was completed. The social services complex includes a family-type placement center, social apartments for young graduates, and vocational workshops: tailoring, cooking/confectionery, woodworking, and computer use. The capacities of the center’s staff were strengthened in providing continuous support to children and young people in the process of re/integration into family, school, and community. Within the complex, children benefit from a Life Skills Training Program and a Vocational Guidance Program. 26 districts were supported in developing and implementing the Professional Parental Assistance service and the institutionalization prevention system.
