UNICEF Call for Inclusive Education Support (Moldova)

Deadline: 20-Mar-2026

UNICEF Moldova has launched a Call for Expression of Interest to enhance inclusive education for refugee children and children with special educational needs in the Transnistrian Region.

The programme focuses on improving foundational learning outcomes, IT and digital literacy, teacher capacity in inclusive pedagogy, and parent–school collaboration to foster supportive, stigma-free learning environments.

Activities will be implemented on both banks of the Nistru River from April 2026 to February 2027, benefiting children, adolescents, educators, and families.

The UNICEF is seeking expressions of interest from organizations to support inclusive education for refugee children and children with special educational needs in the Transnistrian Region of Moldova.

The programme aligns with international and national education priorities, emphasizing equitable access, quality learning outcomes, and skills development for vulnerable children.

Programme Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Improve foundational learning outcomes for at least 70 refugee children and children with disabilities

• Strengthen IT and digital literacy skills for at least 70 adolescents

• Enhance the capacity of 20 educational staff members in inclusive, child-centred teaching methodologies

• Promote parental involvement and home–school collaboration for at least 70 parents and 120 children

• Reduce stigma toward refugee children and children with disabilities and foster social cohesion

Context and Need

Recent UNICEF qualitative assessments, supported by the European Union through ECHO, identified:

• Barriers to quality education for refugee children and children with special educational needs

• Limited accessibility and integration of educational services

• Gaps in learning outcomes and skills development, particularly for adolescents

• Insufficient teacher capacity in inclusive pedagogy

• Social and economic factors affecting educational participation

The programme targets these gaps with coordinated interventions to ensure inclusive, equitable, and supportive learning environments.

Target Beneficiaries

The programme focuses on:

• Refugee children and children with special educational needs (at least 70 children)

• Adolescents for IT and digital literacy skills development (at least 70 adolescents)

• Educational staff (20 teachers and support personnel)

• Parents and caregivers (at least 70 participants)

• Community children involved in awareness-raising activities (at least 120 children)

Key Programme Components

Learning and Skills Development

• Deliver foundational learning support for refugee children and children with disabilities

• Provide IT and digital literacy training for adolescents in safe and supervised contexts

• Implement context-relevant, practical learning approaches

Teacher Capacity Building

• Train 20 educational staff in inclusive, child-centred, and creative teaching methodologies

• Provide coaching, practical tools, and support for applying inclusive pedagogy in both formal and non-formal settings

Parent and Community Engagement

• Conduct awareness-raising activities to strengthen home–school collaboration

• Promote inclusion and reduce stigma toward refugee children and children with disabilities

• Encourage social cohesion and community support for learning

Geographic Scope

• Activities implemented on both banks of the Nistru River

• Ensure accessibility and service availability for all targeted beneficiaries

Implementation Timeline

• Programme duration: April 2026 – February 2027

• Activities executed in coordination with local schools, communities, and stakeholders

Who Can Apply

UNICEF seeks expressions of interest from:

• NGOs, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations with experience in inclusive education

• Partners with capacity to deliver interventions for refugee children, children with disabilities, and adolescents

• Organizations capable of training educators and engaging parents in educational initiatives

How to Apply / Submit Expression of Interest

Step 1: Review Eligibility

• Ensure organizational experience in inclusive education, refugee support, or child-centred programming

• Demonstrate capacity for implementing learning, skills development, teacher training, and parental engagement

Step 2: Prepare Submission

• Follow UNICEF’s official Expression of Interest guidelines

• Include:

  • Organizational profile and past experience

  • Proposed activities aligned with programme objectives

  • Target beneficiaries and expected outcomes

  • Implementation plan and timeline

Step 3: Submit Expression of Interest

• Submit within the designated deadline using UNICEF’s official submission process

• Ensure all required documents and supporting evidence are included

Step 4: Selection and Engagement

• Submissions will be assessed for alignment with programme objectives, technical capacity, and potential impact

• Selected partners will collaborate with UNICEF and local stakeholders for programme implementation

Why This Programme Matters

• Improves access to quality education for refugee children and children with special educational needs

• Enhances learning outcomes and digital literacy skills for adolescents

• Strengthens educator capacity in inclusive and child-centred teaching methodologies

• Promotes parental engagement, inclusion, and social cohesion within communities

• Supports equitable and stigma-free learning environments across the Transnistrian region

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete or unclear expressions of interest

• Failing to demonstrate experience in inclusive education or refugee support

• Omitting detailed implementation plans for targeted beneficiaries

• Not addressing teacher training, adolescent skills development, or parent/community engagement

• Ignoring geographic and accessibility considerations within the Transnistrian region

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply?

NGOs, civil society organizations, or community-based organizations with experience in inclusive education, refugee support, or special educational needs.

2. What are the target beneficiaries?

Refugee children, children with special educational needs, adolescents, educators, parents, and community children in the Transnistrian region.

3. What is the programme duration?

April 2026 to February 2027.

4. What types of activities are included?

Foundational learning, IT and digital literacy training, teacher capacity building, parental engagement, and awareness-raising initiatives.

5. Where will the programme be implemented?

On both banks of the Nistru River in the Transnistrian Region.

6. How will teacher capacity be strengthened?

Through targeted training, coaching, and provision of inclusive, child-centred, and creative teaching tools.

7. How does the programme engage parents and communities?

Through awareness-raising activities designed to strengthen home–school collaboration, promote inclusion, and reduce stigma.

Conclusion

UNICEF Moldova’s Inclusive Education Programme in the Transnistrian Region provides a strategic platform to enhance learning outcomes and digital literacy for refugee children and children with special educational needs.

By engaging educators, adolescents, parents, and communities, the initiative fosters inclusive, supportive, and stigma-free learning environments, contributing to sustainable educational development across the region.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.