In this new initiative implemented by ISSA Member Step by Step Moldova, 150 Early Education Institutions (EEIs) across the Republic of Moldova are being transformed into Resource Centers—safe, inclusive spaces where all children, including those affected by displacement, can play, learn, and thrive.

Launched on July 1, 2024, and running through June 30, 2025, the “Resource Centers – Play and Learning Spaces” project is implemented by the Educational Program “Pas cu Pas”, in partnership with UNICEF Moldova, the Government of South Korea, and the LEGO Foundation.

The initiative reaches an estimated 29,500 children enrolled in participating kindergartens, including refugee children from Ukraine, as well as their parents and educators. A dedicated activity center within the Republican Puppet Theatre “Licurici” also serves as a safe and engaging environment for refugee children.

Equipping Children for Lifelong Learning

Each Resource Center is furnished with a wide array of materials that stimulate children’s development through exploration, imagination, and play:

• Purposeful furniture and educational activity materials
• Age-appropriate books and cozy reading corners to spark curiosity and cognitive growth
• LEGO and DUPLO sets that enhance motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving
• Comprehensive educational kits for both teachers and parents
• Over 120 books from ISSA’s Reading Corner books and ThinkEqual collections, promoting socio-emotional learning, vocabulary development, and imagination
   

These thoughtfully designed centers offer children opportunities to build essential life skills in a nurturing, engaging environment.

Training and Empowering Educators

To ensure sustainability and impact, the project includes training sessions for all teachers in the 150 participating Early Education Institutions. These sessions focus on inclusive, child-centered teaching approaches that respond to the needs of both local and refugee children.

Teachers are also equipped with a rich array of interactive teaching materials, ensuring that every learning experience is meaningful and inclusive.

Inclusion and Support for Refugee Children

With thousands of families displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, Moldova has become a temporary home for many refugee children. This project plays a critical role in supporting their integration into the local education system by:

• Creating welcoming, inclusive environments
• Providing emotional and educational support
• Fostering peer interaction and cultural exchange
• Strengthening the foundation for long-term inclusion and social cohesion
   

Building the Future—Together

This project is more than an investment in classrooms—it’s an investment in children’s futures. By increasing access to quality early childhood education, strengthening the capacity of teachers, and ensuring safe, stimulating learning spaces, “Resource Centers – Play and Learning Spaces” is a model for how education can bridge divides and empower every child, no matter their background.