For Alexei Preda, founder and director of the Bahtalo Ker Centre in Otaci, the country’s northernmost city, the 2025 UN Human Rights Award is a hard-earned recognition of years spent building a Roma-led organization that often faced exclusion. This distinction strengthens his determination and inspires him to keep working toward the change he hopes to see in the years ahead."I want to be walking down the street one day when I am old," he says "and someone to point at me and tell their child, 'Do you see that old man? He helped me when I needed it the most.'” as he speaks his eyes filled with tears. “That would be the highest reward I could ever achieve,” he finished quietly.Alexei believes the UN Moldova Human Rights Award brings the recognition and trust needed for Bahtalo Ker to grow. The name of the centre, which means “Happy Home” in Romani language, reflects its mission to support the Roma community by providing education, vocational training, and social services, especially to the most vulnerable families. “It shows that this is not just a temporary, one-day organization. It is a place that truly works, truly helps, and can be trusted,” he explains. Everything began in 2012, when he decided to establish an organization to support Roma children in his community, inspired by the way his father had stood up for him. The first years were a struggle, marked by many closed doors. “Being a Roma-led organization, we received one refusal after another,” he recalls. A turning point came ten years later, in 2022, with the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. The organization welcomed many refugee families in need of help and support. During that period, it was also able to access new resources, which made it possible to build a permanent community centre at Bahtalo Ker.Five rooms of the centre are already completed. Each has four sleeping places and is equipped with the necessary furniture and supplies for women and children survivors of domestic violence. To make the building easier to navigate for children and parents who cannot yet read or write, the rooms were painted in bright, distinct colours. Work is still in progress in another five rooms. “To complete the refurbishment, we need additional resources,” says Alexei. His dream is to finalize the construction of the centre, which would represent the culmination of all the efforts invested over the years.The organization’s mission is grounded in the belief that education is key to a better future. Working closely with local public authorities and schools, the team helps Roma children return to and remain in the classroom. “Today, without literacy, we risk losing our culture and identity. I want our children to graduate from school so they can lead our community, not just survive in it,” he says. Alexei recalls his own experience: “I was able to finish my education because my father never let me quit. He knew that, for a Roma child, education is the only way to have a voice.”Education is not only needed for children, but also for adults who are ready to work yet never had the opportunity to attend school. In this regard, Bahtalo Ker provides training programmes that help Roma community members gain practical skills. Some participants have already graduated with certificates in fields such as tailoring and hairdressing, increasing their chances of finding stable jobs. “At Bahtalo Ker, we want Roma people to stand on their own, so they don’t have to depend on anyone else,” says Alexei. “I want them to be able to say they achieved this themselves,” he adds, wiping away a tear. “And I will be grateful to have contributed to it.”**** The story was written by Carolina Ceban, intern at UN Moldova within the UN Diversity Internship Program 2025-2026. 

Denis Pruteanu is 26 years old, lives in Chișinău, and commutes daily from Chișinău to Vadul-Rașcov, Șoldănești district, where his family owns a farm. The young entrepreneur wants to start processing meat, and thanks to funding from the European Union's Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP, he is closer to his dream. Denis's family owns over 60 hectares of land on which they grow grain, and in order to make the most of it, they opened a farm a few years ago. "Six years ago, my father started this business, but he didn't have a development plan. After I finished my studies in Italy, I decided to develop this business, but it required large investments. I started looking for funding, but it was difficult and arduous," says Denis. The young entrepreneur drew up a business plan and submitted his application to a competition announced by the European Union's Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP. Thanks to the US$20,000 in funding, he was able to equip the farm with the most advanced machinery purchased from Italy. From equipment for watering, feeding, and ventilating the barn to machinery that sucks the grain into a tank, mixes it, and grinds it so that the animals can digest it."This support gave me wings and the desire to grow this business. Thanks to this support, we were also able to create the company logo. Branding is very important because it is the process of creating and managing our identity in the minds of consumers, i.e., our customers. We aim to create an emotional connection with consumers, build loyalty, and ultimately increase sales and market share," explains the entrepreneur.The entrepreneur who wants to produce only organic productsThe young man wants to develop an entire value chain: processing and growing cereals, raising animals, and processing meat."In the future, I would like us to be certified organic/bio internationally. To create an organic brand, you need to have organic land and feed organic food to the animals. This is how you grow organic meat. We have everything we need, we just have to strive for it," says Denis.Every year, the Pruteanu family raises 150-200 sheep, goats, and pigs, which are sold to processors at a much lower price than if they had their own meat shops. The young entrepreneur wants to raise more pigs in the near future and start processing meat, including opening a restaurant in the village of Vadul-Rașcov."We want to process meat and make sausages. In a few months, we will purchase breeding animals. When I was in Italy, I discovered a wide variety of sausages. I would like to make sausages like in Italy, but in the Republic of Moldova," says the young man. Jobs at homeWith the opening of the farm in the village of Vadul-Rașcov, ten jobs were created, which are so necessary in this locality located more than 100 kilometers from Chișinău. As the business develops, other jobs will be created for the locals.
"If we start processing, we will create even more jobs. Everyone wants to stay in their country, work here, start a family, and raise their children. That's what I want too, which is why I chose to return to Moldova," says the young entrepreneur. Since 2024, 20 entrepreneurs, including Denis, have received support from the EU and UNDP to grow or launch their businesses. Supporting young entrepreneurs and the business environment is part of a broader effort by the European Union and UNDP to build trust and promote economic development on both sides of the Nistru River. 

What makes a health message truly resonate with adolescents? The answer comes from young people themselves: trust, dialogue, and the power of peer voices.Building on this understanding, around 50 adolescent volunteers from Youth Klinic centres across the country gathered in Chișinău on 30–31 January 2026 for the participatory, behavioural science–based workshop “Youth Voices for Prevention – Information. Dialogue. Action.” The workshop aimed to actively engage young people in promoting vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV).The workshop was organized by UNICEF, with financial support from the Government of the United Kingdom, in partnership with the “Health for Youth” Association, the National Resource Centre for Youth-Friendly Health Services “NEOVITA,” the Youth Klinic Moldova Network, and the Ministry of Health.In December 2025, UNICEF supported the training of Youth Klinic Moldova volunteers to become change ambassadors in their communities, promoting health, prevention, and informed decision-making among their peers.From information to action: solutions co-created with young peopleVolunteers from Youth Klinic centres nationwide worked together to analyse existing barriers to HPV vaccination and to co-create messages tailored to young people their age. Participants developed concrete ideas for awareness campaigns, peer-to-peer education activities, and improvements to youth-friendly health services.The workshop followed a participatory approach, where young people were not just recipients of information, but key actors in the change process. Activities included sessions on HPV and vaccination, barrier analysis exercises, evaluation of existing messages, and the co-creation of slogans, campaigns, and intervention ideas tailored to different audiences—adolescents, parents, and health care providers.Working in thematic groups and stations—social media, peer education, parental engagement, and service improvement—participants developed authentic messages grounded in real-life youth experiences and their communities' needs.The workshop "Youth Voices for Prevention – Information. Dialogue. Action” is part of a broader effort to strengthen the role of people's health and prevention ambassadors. The ideas and solutions developed during the workshop will inform future campaigns and interventions aimed at promoting HPV vaccination and preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. Through dialogue, engagement, and action, young people demonstrate that prevention works best when it is built together with them.“I am vaccinated against HPV and I want to pass the message on”For many participants, the workshop was more than an educational exercise—it was an experience of ownership and responsibility.Ludmila, 17, a Youth Klinic volunteer from Nisporeni (YK Centre “Needs Protect”), shared how the workshop helped her better understand her role in HPV prevention and commit personally to protecting her generation’s health.“I believe we have a real opportunity to make a difference for the health of girls and boys our age. I want to help ensure that accurate information about HPV vaccination reaches as many of my peers and the wider public as possible, so people can make informed decisions. If we, as young people, communicate with one another and pass these messages on, we can positively influence our communities. What I appreciated most about this workshop was the open and clear discussion about HPV and the vaccines that prevent it. I am now much more convinced of the importance of vaccination and know that, in the future, I will make this responsible choice not only for myself, but also for my future children.”“Young people can drive change if they have the courage to speak openly. Through volunteering, we can promote HPV prevention by explaining clearly and honestly why vaccination matters for our health. When the message comes from a peer, you feel that the person truly wants to help. That is why it is so important to counter myths and fears through dialogue and real-life examples. Working as a team helped me understand that every idea matters and that there are no mistakes—only steps forward. This experience gave me the confidence to stay involved and keep going.”“When a message comes from a peer, it is much easier to receive. When a young person shares their own experience, they are not lecturing—they are connecting. This builds trust and allows the message to reach where it needs to go more quickly. At this workshop, we received evidence-based information from specialists. I am leaving with a deeper understanding of HPV and vaccination and feel ready to pass this knowledge on. I am already vaccinated against HPV and know how important this step is for my health. That is why I want to actively promote this topic and help as many young people as possible make informed and responsible decisions.”Valeria Floca, 20, a Youth Klinic volunteer from Strășeni (Youth Klinic Strășeni Centre)Youth Klinic Moldova and the HPV prevention agendaRepresentatives of central and local authorities, UNICEF, and project partners emphasized the importance of HPV vaccination as a key preventive measure and the essential role of adolescents in delivering public health messages at the community level.Experts highlighted that in the Republic of Moldova, acceptance of the HPV vaccine remains low, largely due to misinformation and lack of trust. Adolescents and parents alike are particularly vulnerable to myths circulating online and within peer groups. In this context, peer education and youth involvement in message design become critical tools for prevention.Mariana Gâncu, Head of the Directorate for Public Health Policies and Public Health Emergencies at the Ministry of Health, underlined the importance of HPV vaccination as a core prevention tool and the role of young people in supporting public health messaging at the community level.Maha Damaj, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Moldova, stressed the need for active adolescent engagement in information and behaviour-change processes, noting that peer education increases trust and improves young people’s access to accurate health information:“For HPV vaccination and immunization in general, a youth-centred approach that respects families and their values is essential. Dialogue, understanding, and the active involvement of young people in co-creating solutions are the keys to lasting change.”Galina Leșco, Head of the NEOVITA Centre and Executive President of the “Health for Youth” Association, emphasized the importance of connecting the Youth Klinic Moldova volunteer network with the national HPV prevention agenda:“Through this initiative, the work of the national network of volunteers from youth-friendly health services is directly linked to a major public health priority—HPV prevention. This collaboration opens real opportunities to expand access to accurate information and to strengthen a safer health environment for girls and boys across the Republic of Moldova.”Anne Johnstone, Humanitarian Interventions Adviser at the British Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, also reaffirmed international partners’ support for initiatives that strengthen prevention, health education, and the protection of younger generations.Why HPV prevention mattersThe human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for several types of cancer, including cervical cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer (affecting the mouth and throat), impacting both women and men.In the Republic of Moldova, approximately 300 women die each year from cervical cancer—a disease that is preventable through vaccination and regular cervical screening conducted once every three years.Administering the HPV vaccine at ages 9–14 (one dose) or 15–26 (two doses) to both girls and boys prevents infection with high-risk oncogenic strains and provides long-term protection against aggressive forms of the virus. International studies confirm that the HPV vaccine is safe. The most common discomfort associated with vaccination remains the fear of a needle, negligible compared to the very real risk of developing life-threatening cancers.Prevention through vaccination remains one of the most effective investments in the health of future generations.

At the “Pas cu Pas” Public Primary School, classroom doors have large glass panels. Teachers sometimes pause quietly and watch, for a few minutes, how a colleague teaches. Not to evaluate, but to understand, to learn, to pick up ideas. In the hallway, quick impressions are exchanged — questions, smiles, and sometimes doubts. “Can you help me with your opinion?” is a phrase often heard in conversations between teachers.More than 500 students learn in this school. It follows the curriculum of the Ministry of Education and Research, but in an alternative format, with a strong focus on group activities, thematic projects, and a solid partnership with parents. Lucia Moisei has been working at the school for 19 years, almost since the moment it first opened its doors.“Here, I gained the experience I needed to become not only a better teacher, but also a better person.”For almost a year now, she has been serving as both an institutional mentor and a national mentor, following a complex training and certification process. At school, she works daily alongside six other mentors, staying close to her colleagues and their classroom practice. At the national level, she coordinates a network of 15 mentors who carry mentorship forward in schools across the country.What does it mean to be a mentor teachers can trust?The role of a mentor is not to provide quick answers, but to create space for teachers to reflect on their practice and ask the right questions. Lucia, together with nearly 1,000 other teachers, took part in training programmes supported by UNICEF, with financial support from the European Union. There, she learned how to give constructive feedback, how to build a culture of collaboration in schools, and how to support teachers in making their teaching more relevant and closer to the needs of children.“People need to be encouraged to stay in the education system and supported in developing their potential, because every teacher matters.” This belief motivated Lucia to apply to the mentorship programme — a safe space where teachers can ask questions, make mistakes, and grow without pressure.“We work with primary school children, which means that teachers’ presence alongside them is essential throughout the entire day. Children need supervision, support, and adults who are close to them — not only during lessons, but also during breaks. By being consistently present, children learn from the way we communicate, how we manage conflicts, and how we support one another.”Mentorship as support for teachers at every stage of their professional journeyCorina Șargu, Deputy Director and National Mentor at the same institution, has over 33 years of experience in education. And yet, she says she still feels the need for support and for learning new things. ‘The more experience you gain, the more you realize how much there is still to learn.’ For her, mentorship is an exchange between generations. Younger teachers gain confidence, more experienced ones rediscover their motivation, and those who benefit the most are the students.At the other end of the professional journey is Irina. She is in her fourth year of university practice, which she is completing at ‘Pas cu Pas’. ‘Mentorship helps me understand practical things — for example, how to design an assessment test more effectively.’Larisa Țaca and Anastasia Nichitiuc are going through an important change in their professional journey. They come from early childhood education, where they worked for more than ten years as educators. After taking time off to raise their children, they returned to the education system — this time as primary school teachers.“This is my first graduating class, and it came with a lot of emotions. The differences between pre-school and primary school are significant, and the transition brings many challenges. Throughout this adaptation process, the mentors at the institution have been a real source of support,” Anastasia says.“Sometimes I need an opinion, other times a piece of advice, or simply emotional support. That’s when I turn to the mentors at my school. They come into the classroom, see things from a different perspective, and help me understand what works and what we can improve,” Larisa says.