Key interventions for children implemented in partnership with the Brasov authorities can serve as best practice at national level

Brasov, 18 March 2024 – Rares Achiriloaie, President of the National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights and Adoptions, Roxana Minzatu, Secretary of State, Coordinator of the Department for Integrated Evaluation and Monitoring of Programmes Financed from Public and European Funds, and Anna Riatti, UNICEF Representative in Romania, have visited the Integrated Community Center in Brasov on Monday. At the center, which was set up in partnership with the Directorate of Social Assistance and the Brasov Mayoralty as part of the UNICEF’s Romania for Every Child Initiative[1], the officials met with children and families who benefit from the free services and also with the team of professionals working to provide the services.

"The incredible work that UNICEF and local authorities have done in Brasov can be a model of good practice at national level. The ICC and the Brasov Local Children's Council are just two examples of initiatives that, in my opinion, can be taken up by all localities that want to develop a child-friendly environment. The National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights and Adoption will continue to work together with UNICEF, local authorities and children to ensure that the best services are provided to children where they are needed and at the quality necessary to ensure their well-being, including the implementation of the Child Guarantee," said Rareș Achiriloaie, President of the National Authority for the Protection of Children's Rights and Adoption.

The members of the delegation discussed the importance of ensuring accessible and effective community services that are adapted to the specific needs of vulnerable children and families, as well as the crucial role of the local authorities in supporting programmes and initiatives such as Romania for Every Child and the Child Guarantee, that can build a better future for children and more resilient communities.

2,600 children and adults benefited from services at the Integrated Community Center in Brasov. 150 children benefited from specialized services provided by two physiotherapists, two psychologists, a speech therapist, a medical assistant, and a social worker, as well as an education referent.

The “Romania for Every Child” Initiative had also a component on strengthening the capacity of school staff to promote quality inclusive education. As part of this, teachers in Brasov participated in digital education, inclusive education and social-emotional skills workshops and had a relevant contribution in developing a Inclusive Education Toolkit for Teachers in Mainstream Schools in Romania.

Following the visit to the Center, the delegation met with the Brasov Children’s Local Council, which was set up as part of UNICEF’s global Child Friendly Cities Initiative. This council, which is very active in the civic life of the city, presented its initiatives – some of which are already being implemented – and engaged in a lively discussion with the officials.

“Investing in children is investing in our collective future. Today’s visit highlights the huge results that we can achieve when we invest the necessary resources in the right projects and with the support and involvement of the right professionals. Quality services for children are what we need in every community across Romania. Children also need to be involved more in the decisions that affect them and the meeting with the Children's Council was revealing about what the right to participation can achieve in practice”, said Roxana Mînzatu, Secretary of State, Coordinator of the Department for Integrated Evaluation and Monitoring of Programmes Financed from Public and European Funds, Government of Romania.

’’I am happy to meet once again the strong team of professionals from the Integrated Community Center in Brasov, and our local and county authorities and partners without whom Romania for Every Child and other initiatives in Brasov County could not have achieved the results we see today. And I’m especially happy to see children benefiting from the best services available and engaging actively in the life of their city. We will continue our work, and we are committing to providing knowledge and technical expertise to support the Government and NAPCRA in expanding ICCs across the country and implementing the Child Guarantee, bringing us one step closer to fulfilling the commitments made to children 33 years ago with the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child”, said Anna Riatti, UNICEF Representative in Romania.

[1] The "Romania for Every Child" Initiative was supported by Norway through Norwegian Grants under the Local Development Programme administered by the Romanian Social Development Fund. More info here.