Good Practices in Data Use: Ludotecas in Ștefan Vodă District, Moldova

Good Practices in Data Use: Ludotecas in Ștefan Vodă District, Moldova
Abstract: In the wake of the refugee crisis, the Ștefan Vodă district in Moldova, nestled along the border with Ukraine, emerged as a central location for refugee families seeking safety. Among them, the most vulnerable were children, facing uncertainties compounded by their displacement. Data analysis, initiated in 2022 and perpetuated through the establishment of a dedicated Data Review Room, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Data for Impact (D4I) project, revealed that as of January 2023, the district housed 370 refugee children, comprising 140 preschool-aged children and 230 of school age. These children required access to education and support for their successful integration into the host communities. The findings underscored the pressing need for focused interventions, particularly in education, to provide refugee children with stability, protection, and opportunities for their growth and development.

Monthly data review sessions, convened by the Directorate General for Social Assistance and Family Protection (DGASPF) in Ștefan Vodă and facilitated by D4I, were pivotal gatherings where stakeholders from diverse sectors converged to address the pressing challenges facing refugee children. Representatives from the social assistance, education, law enforcement, and healthcare sectors collaborated in these forums, pooling their expertise and insights to fuel discussions and empower stakeholders to propose tangible solutions.

During these discussions, a visionary concept emerged: community ludotecas, or recreational centers serving as socio-educational hubs, designed to provide comprehensive support for refugee and at-risk children, including both preschool and school-aged groups. These centers would serve as safe spaces where children could engage in learning, play, and access essential services, fostering their holistic development. The decision-making process that led to this innovative solution involved comprehensive analyses of community needs, resource availability, and the potential for partnerships.
Shortname: FS-24-664
Author(s): D4I Moldova
Year: 2024
Language: English
Region(s): MOLDOVA, REPUBLIC OF