The project “Education Without Barriers: Building Inclusive Education Systems for Children with Speech, Communication, and Learning Disorders”

The project “Education Without Barriers: Building Inclusive Education Systems for Children with Speech, Communication, and Learning Disorders” is an initiative implemented by the Development Foundation of the Republic of Moldova, with financial support from the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation.

The goal of the project is to ensure that children in preschool and primary education who experience speech, communication, and learning difficulties have access to inclusive, equitable, and quality education. The project will be implemented between January 2026 and December 2028 in the municipalities of Bălți and Ungheni, as well as in the districts of Drochia, Călărași, and Căușeni.

Within the initiative, essential tools to support children will be developed, including the Concept of the Psycho-Pedagogical Intervention Model and sets of tests and psycho-pedagogical assessment instruments. At the same time, the project will strengthen system capacity through training and mentoring for preschool and primary education specialists, as well as those within SAP, complemented by equipment and materials for SAP and resource centers in schools and kindergartens. To ensure the sustainability of interventions, joint planning sessions will be organized with local public authorities (APL) and Education Directorates, so that the needs of inclusive education are integrated into strategic planning and local budgets.

The main objectives of the project are:

• Strengthening preschool and primary education institutions with the tools needed to provide high-quality educational and psychological support, appropriate to age, for girls and boys with speech, communication, and learning difficulties;

• Supporting and empowering parents and caregivers so that they can provide children with educational, emotional, and psychological support;

• Ensuring effective cooperation between Local Public Administration, Education Directorates, CRAP/STAS, and preschool and primary education institutions, in order to facilitate access to equitable and quality services.