What?

The “two-book bag” offers parents from disadvantaged communities illustrated books for home, encouraging them to read to their children.

The pilot project, funded by Kaufland and implemented since 2019, was designed to educate poor parents on the benefits of reading with their little ones. Over 60 kindergarten teachers from Vrancea and Neamț counties participated in two training sessions and then organized in turn reading sessions for parents and young children in their kindergartens. Each participating teacher received a trainer kit and, on average, 5 “Two-bag bag” kits to offer to parents.

Volunteers (librarians, educators, teachers, social workers etc.) organized reading sessions with 1-2 years old children and their parents. After reading sessions, each child receives a bag with two picture books and a small toy suitable for this age category. Volunteers talk to parents about the advantages of reading aloud activities with children from the yearly age, encouraging them to read to children.

As a result of the project,  475 children together with parents have participated at reading sessions and have got picture books to take home; about 600 books donated to families from disadvantaged communities and 375 books were planned to be donated in February 2021. The project involved 100 volunteers (librarians) from 100 localitie, with more than 100 reading sessions organized.

Volunteers have been trained by OvidiuRo Association and „Ion Creangă” National Children’s Library on how to organize reading aloud sessions with small kids.

Parents have been told by the volunteers about the advantages of reading aloud to children from the early age and encouraged to read to children.

At the second reading of the book “From head to toe”, children had already begun to imitate the movements of animals. Parents showed interest and openness during the meetings; the atmosphere was relaxing, pleasant, constructive. We definitely produced some changes in the relationship with the children. Thanks for the opportunity! ” Mariana Vrabie, preschool teacher, Bălan Kindergarten, Harghita

As part of this project, 43 offline workshops,  7 online regional conferences, 5 virtual visits in Taraclia, Telenesti, Comrat, Riscani, Soroca, and 5 online regional festivals were organized, involving 25 partners and 1300 beneficiaries

What?

The objectives of the project were:

• Favoring a context of knowledge of ethnic groups in the Republic of Moldova, through the values and policies of the European Union in the field of multiculturalism, multiethnicity, inclusion, minority rights, for at least 500 people, especially adolescents and young people from five districts during 2019-2020.
• Increasing the degree of involvement of community members in promoting the common values shared by the cohabiting ethnic groups in Comrat, Taraclia, Telenesti, Soroca, Riscani districts;
• Interethnic consolidation by increasing the visibility of the specifics and cultural similarities of the ethnic communities in the districts connected in the project

So what?

The participants accumulated valuable knowledge, about multiculturalism, the cohabiting ethnic groups in the Republic of Moldova, and about the policies of the European Union. They also realized the importance of multiethnic solidarity, passed it through the soul and materialized it in their own creations, presented at the Festival “On a Branch of Words”, which took place in August and was entitled generic “Multiethnic Moldova – we choose to live in harmony”.

Participating in the project made me understand and appreciate the Roma, whom I did not have very close to my soul. Now I have a Roma colleague, whom I received at work and I am very happy with.

The project reduced the social distance index by 3 units, as it raised the level of education, by familiarizing the beneficiaries with the multiple cultures in the country. Thus, the risk of conflicts, which regularly occur between ethnic groups and lead to violence that leads to destruction and damage, was reduced.

A Guide for the implementation of the library service “Multicultural Connections” was created, and it will serve as the basis for future replication in other regions. The continuity and sustainability of the project is also ensured by the generous book donation offered by the financiers for 5 public libraries and 10 social institutions: 5 Centers for children and 5 centers for the elderly.

What?

The library received additional space for communication, creativity, teamwork, family recreation, new furniture, games, flooring and more. The library users will be able to take advantage of all the benefits of the creative space to organize all kinds of activities, workshops, watching movies, art studios. 

Community unification was achieved by getting everyone’s support through the fundraising campaign to support the project.

So what?

In one of the districts of Poltava, a new free space for children and their parents was created, the uniqueness of which lies in its versatility. The project aroused the interest of many users and Poltava residents in particular, and many people from all over Ukraine joined the fundraising, which testifies to the interests in the idea and its necessity.

At the moment, as COVID 19 limited activities to the online environment, online events using several platforms (Facebook page, YouTube channel and Zoom platform) reached out to more than 500 patrons.

What?

Over 250 librarians were trained in organizing reading sessions with picture books for children ages 3 to 10 and on planning and hosting small STEM experiments connected with topics from the stories read.  Each library received a book package of 5 to 22 titles and illustrated books and support in developing their own activities. STEM topics addressed were explained in lay language and introduced in a fun manner making children excited about learning.

The 250 librarians from Romania and Moldova offered 2422 activities where 36640 kids participated and learned about topics like: animals, plants, natural phenomenon, shapes, colors, human body, chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Children asked their parents and teachers to come at the library to regularly participate in Ora sa STIM activities, Moreover the adults involved in children education started to be aware of the opportunity that STEM activities have in spending quality time with children and used the resources provided by this project: http://www.progressfoundation.ro/blog/ora-sa-stim/

Providing access to quality education is harder for children from rural areas. Our efforts in helping them enjoy learning and bringing resources closer to them is contributing to more chances for success

What?

6 librarians and 6 NGO representatives from the participatory 3 countries were trained about the practical principles of engaging communities in democratic decisions and community projects, as well as plan for the implementation of the citizens hub in their libraries. Then, the 6  community teams formed by librarians, local NGO representatives and citizens worked together, and opened Citizens Hubs – spaces for citizens to gather and work together towards being active citizens involved in their communities.

So what?

Through this project,  Vâlcea County Library developed new library services and programs aimed to support communities’ needs and to develop these communities: health education programs, programs that encourage women to develop their own business, volunteer programs to involve citizens in promoting cultural and historical objectives from their communities. 

What?

CODEKids clubs were open by public libraries in 150 communities where librarians facilitated free of charge learning of coding for middle school children. Two year curriculum was created and permanently adopted to the needs of the kids. Extra activities and gamification were included in the program. Regional Science fairs/CODEKids Fest events were organized so advanced children could work on projects and present them to the public.

So what?

More than 2300 participated in the Beginners group of CODEKids clubs and  879 of them went through also the Advanced group curricula. Dozens of them participated in open coding competitions at regional an d national level and won awards. Dozens of alumni of the project are part of the Robotics Team in their  high-schools. 

We provided access to quality and relevant education for children who have limited possibilities to break out of the underserved position of their families.