Both in Latvia and in Moldova, the protection of children’s rights remains an urgent issue. Many children are still not fully informed about their right to safe, violence-free relationships with both peers and adults, they have limited opportunities to express their opinions on matters affecting their lives, and support systems do not always respond effectively and in a timely manner in cases of violence. To improve the situation, it is essential to implement proven and practical approaches that truly place children’s safety, well-being, and voices first, and that focus on prevention, not only on addressing the consequences.
One inspiring example comes from us in Latvia – the “Jimba’s Safety Steps” programme, developed and implemented by us, the Centre Dardedze. This programme is based on children’s participation and education, helping them to understand how to stay safe in relationships with others and to reduce any form of violence, including the risks of child sexual abuse. The programme has proven its effectiveness in Latvia, which is why we want to share it so that it can help protect children in other countries as well. The first country where we will pilot the programme is Moldova.
That is why we, the Centre Dardedze and the Child Rights Information Centre in Moldova (CRIC), are working together to adapt and implement the “Jimba’s Safety Steps” programme in Moldovan preschool institutions. Together, we aim to strengthen the protection of children’s rights in Moldova.
Main tasks of the project:
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Adapt the “Jimba’s Safety Steps” programme to meet the needs of Moldovan preschools.
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Train CRIC staff who will lead the programme’s implementation in Moldova.
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Support Moldovan preschool teachers and staff by providing training and consultations during the pilot phase of the programme.
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Evaluate the results of the pilot project and make necessary improvements to enable the programme’s wide-scale implementation in Moldova with a long-term social impact.
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Maintain close cooperation with decision-makers in Moldova and Latvia to share results and promote the development of a stronger child rights protection system.
Project goals:
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Equip Moldovan professionals with knowledge and skills in child rights protection and violence prevention to implement the “Jimba’s Safety Steps” programme.
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Prepare and provide tailored methodological materials for the programme’s implementation.
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Help children better understand relationship safety issues and give them tools to express their opinions.
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Strengthen Moldova’s child rights protection system to reduce violence, especially sexual abuse, and truly meet the needs of children.
Project funding:
The project “Promoting the Protection of Children’s Rights in Moldova by Implementing a Latvian Good Practice Example – the Jimba’s Safety Steps Programme” is carried out with the support of the Development Cooperation Programme (LATDEV) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.
Project costs:
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State budget funding: EUR 68,770 in 2025 and EUR 65,569 in 2026.
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Project co-financing: EUR 19,630.