JYSK partners with UNICEF in Romania to help children

JYSK and UNICEF in Romania have signed a three-year partnership to benefit vulnerable children.

In the first year of the partnership, JYSK Romania supports the Community-based Child Services pilot project implemented by UNICEF in 45 communities from Bacau County, a region in Eastern Romania.

 “Through this partnership, we are happy to take part in improving the lives of children from vulnerable families. We believe that all children have the right to education, health care and social protection and deserve to be in an environment that makes them feel safe. We believe that it is our moral obligation to be involved in the communities where our company is present. This is an important part of JYSK’s philosophy,” says Alex Bratu, Country Manager for JYSK Romania.

The pilot project consists of two components: the Minimum Package of Services and the Quality Inclusive Education Package, accompanied by information, awareness-raising and education campaigns for children and parents alike.

Benefit for all Romanian children

The Minimum Package of Services for children and their families consists of community-based services in health, social protection and education. It requires the presence in each community of at least one social worker, a community nurse and a school counsellor. Together, they help vulnerable children and their families to assess their needs and to provide tailored support.

The other programme included in the Community-based Child Services is the Quality Inclusive Education package that focuses on preventing non-enrolment, absenteeism, dropout and early school leaving, as well as on increasing learning outcomes and competencies.

The lessons learnt from the pilot project in Bacau can support all four million children in Romania to benefit from community-based services.