The Active Schools Fund
It was created in response to the need for a holistic educational program supporting the launch and development of an active and participatory learning process in communities facing socio-educational risk. Its goal is to prevent school dropout and to spark children’s interest in learning.
There are four interconnected levels:
- individual development of children aged 6 to 8 focusing on literacy, numeracy, sports and socio-emotional activities;
- a support network for teachers fostering an active teaching community, engaged in continuous training and mutual support;
- a community of parents who understands and values the importance of education in their children’s development;
- an engaged local community that contributes to children’s growth and learning.
The multiyear program is structured in two phases:
- Phase 1 supports 3–5 start-up project proposals with a total funding in amount of €15,000;
- Phase 2 is the follow-up grant, where three successful start-up projects qualify for additional funding in amount of €184,500 to expand their interventions.
The first schools benefiting from start-up grants were located in Augustin, Budila, Crizbav, Racos and Rasnov, supporting initiatives in education for 175 children and 6 teachers. Three schools (Budila, Crizbav and Racos) qualified for follow-up grants for 2025-2026 school year. They are developing a holistic intervention plan for 105 children who benefit from literacy, numeracy, sports and socio-emotional activities. Additionally, 21 teachers have joined the teachers support network and parents participate in monthly “schools of parents” meetings.
The second edition of the start-up offered grants to three new schools located in Apata, Hoghiz and Ormenis.