Empowering Moldovan students through innovative project funding
Approximately 200 students from all over Moldova will learn how to design projects and implement initiatives aimed at solving specific problems in their schools.
The National Youth Agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Research, has launched the Student Council Empowerment Program, aiming to promote civic engagement among students by offering financial support for innovative initiatives.
Students will receive training in project writing and development, with guidance from a team of mentors, according to Marcel Marin, a representative of the Ministry of Education and Research.
"Before writing a project, they need to learn how to do so. First, they must identify the need. This is something that is necessary for everyone in the educational institution. The first step is to conduct research on the needs of the students in their school. Then, they explore how the problem turns into an idea, and return to their schools to discuss the idea with their peers before developing a project. Often, the issue or idea they initially present is not the same problem the students face after discussing it. But as a final step, the idea is indeed funded," said Marcel Marin.
Students present at the event pointed out that a major issue for schools is the lack of a dedicated budget for extracurricular activities.
"For instance, they want to organize a TVC (television contest) between high schools or middle schools, but they don't have a budget for transport. Another issue is that our council needs to travel to Ialoveni in May, but we don’t have a budget. It's still a problem," explained Cristian Țurcanu, a student at Nicolae Casso Theoretical High School in Sîngerei.
"I have a grant proposal for solar panels at school. The school is increasingly trying to save on electricity. For example, there were strict hours when the lights in the dormitory were turned off," said Nicolaie Costache, a student at the Vocational School in Florești.
As part of the program, students will be trained in how to write and develop projects. They will be guided by a team of mentors.
"It is crucial to understand that we will support the projects of students who identify a problem in their school, a challenge they face, and come up with a project to address it," said Galina Rusu, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education.
According to the Ministry of Education and Research, approximately 50 projects will receive funding, with the total financial support nearing one million lei.
Translation by IUrie Tataru
