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Description
The overall objective of RISEi project is to increase the social inclusion of children and young people at risk by creating an Integrated Support Network through Inclusive Education in three counties: Ilfov, Neamt and Iasi.
The project will develop a support network in 3 counties that will offer a quality, fair and inclusive education based on the needs of each child / young person. Thus, the project will help reduce the school dropout and ensure access to quality education for children with special needs (SEN).
Target groups: 840 children at risk of school dropout (grades I-VIII); 30 children with SEN (grades I-VIII); 40 parents of children from the target group; 150 education staff.
The actions will target the target group directly and also indirectly, through teacher training programs and support for parents of children / young people. Also, activities of integrating children into local communities are proposed by participating in joint actions with its members, thus leading to social inclusion and promoting the principle of desegregation of the target group.
The RISEI network will have the same components in each of the three counties: (1) a Centre/physical space where certain support programs will be made available, (2) a common methodology for the provision of support services for the target group and (3) an online interactive platform dedicated to teaching staff and social services. The joint methodology will be developed together with the Norwegian partners on the basis of the exchange of experience offered to collaborating schools and local teams in the centres, as well as good practices identified with the Norwegian partners, and it will include a teaching methodology that will address the learning needs of every child by formal and non-formal education tools.
Through the work of the three partner NGOs in the project, the county centres will provide educational, social and psychological support to children at risk.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle the issue of early school leaving, which leads to social exclusion, unemployment, and lower lifetime earnings. The project focused on children and youth at risk in Ilfov, Neamț, and Iași counties, particularly those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The main challenges addressed were:
- High dropout rates in targeted areas, particularly in rural and marginalized communities;
- Economic hardship, including poverty, parental unemployment, and lack of resources for education;
- Family-related factors, such as parental neglect, early marriage (especially for girls), and child labor;
- Cultural and linguistic barriers, particularly for Roma and other minority groups;
- Lack of support services, including educational, psychological, and social assistance for at-risk children;
- Gaps in teacher training to handle diverse and vulnerable student groups.
Through the project were implemented a series of activities and outputs, including:
- Construction of a Center in Tunari, Ilfov County. The Integrated Center for Inclusive Education was built to provide a dedicated space for delivering support services to children and young people at risk of school dropout or early school leaving;
- Creation of an Integrated Support Network. A network of three centers—located in Ilfov, Neamț, and Iași—was established to deliver support services tailored to the needs of children and young people in vulnerable situations;
- Educational and support programs. 843 children at risk of drop out and 73 children with special educational needs benefited from comprehensive programs providing educational, social, and psychological support. About 166 parents and family members were also engaged through dedicated initiatives that offered guidance and resources to help them support their children effectively;
- Capacity building for teachers and social services professionals – 93 teachers benefited of trainings programs enhanced the ability to deliver inclusive education. Additionally, exchanges with Norwegian partner facilitated the adoption of best practices in education and social support services;
- Community engagement activities – during the implementation of the project, different joint actions and activities were organized between children at risk and local community members, fostering integration and promoting social inclusion.
The project generated transformative outcomes across multiple levels, significantly enhancing educational accessibility, social inclusion, and community cohesion. For children and young people at risk, the project reduced school dropout rates through tailored educational and psychological interventions while ensuring seamless access to high-quality, inclusive education, particularly for those with special needs. Moreover, it fostered social integration by actively involving children in community initiatives, thereby mitigating disparities and marginalization. Teachers benefited from specialized training and best-practice exchanges, equipping them with advanced competencies in inclusive pedagogical approaches. Parents were empowered with essential knowledge and tools to better support their children’s academic and emotional well-being. At the community level, the project championed desegregation efforts, cultivating a more inclusive and accepting social environment while reinforcing the role of local communities in facilitating the long-term social inclusion of at-risk children and youth.
The Integrated Center for Inclusive Education significantly enhanced educational accessibility and support systems for vulnerable children and young people at risk of school dropout or early school leaving. By providing a dedicated space for tailored educational, psychological, and social interventions, the project ensured unobstructed access to high-quality, inclusive education, particularly benefiting children with special needs.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral cooperation between the ROTAS Association for Evolution and the Human Rights Academy from Norway resulted in a significant transfer of knowledge and best practices in the field of human rights education, facilitated the development of interactive workshops and study visits, strengthened international collaboration networks, and provided methodological expertise and modern educational resources, contributing to the development of institutional capacity and the implementation of long-term joint projects focused on social inclusion and human rights education.