Romania

Romania

A Partnership Helping Families Thrive

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, supportive environment that enables them to reach their full potential. This belief lies at the heart of the partnership between Generali Romania, The Human Safety Net (THSN) and the New Horizons Foundation (Fundația Noi Orizonturi), working together to support vulnerable families and young children across Romania.

New Horizons Foundation is a Romanian organization founded in 2000, which runs non-formal education programs both nationally and internationally, using “education for transformation” in order to reach the vision of a society where children and young people grow in a fertile soil, fulfill their potential and use it for the development of the community and the world they live in.

The partnership started in 2019 with the support of The Family Club (Clubul Familiei), a national programme dedicated to early childhood development and parental empowerment.


Building Stronger Families, One Relationship at a Time

The Family Club was created to strengthen the relationship between parents and children while helping kindergartens become community hubs that connect families, educators and local support systems. The programme is based on the idea that a child's development flourishes when families, schools and communities work together in a trusting and supportive ecosystem.

Through an integrated approach, the programme provides:

  • Circle of Security (CoS) parenting workshops that help parents and caregivers better understand and respond to their children's emotional needs;
  • professional training for kindergarten teachers and educators;
  • parent-child workshops in kindergartens;
  • monthly home-based learning and bonding activities;
  • peer learning and reflection groups for parents;
  • family camps designed to strengthen family relationships;

By involving parents directly in their children's early education, The Family Club helps create stronger emotional bonds, builds parental confidence and promotes children's social and emotional development. The programme also strengthens trust between families and educational institutions, creating lasting benefits for entire communities.


From a Pilot Project to a National Programme

The partnership began in 2019 with a pilot initiative implemented in 8 kindergartens using the Circle of Security methodology. The programme's positive results and scalable model soon demonstrated its potential to create meaningful change at national level.

Thanks to the support of Fondazione The Human Safety Net, The Family Club expanded its reach and continued to grow year after year. During the 2025-2026 school year, the programme is active in 50 kindergartens across Romania, with a further expansion to 100 kindergartens in 2026-2027 and 150 kindergartens in 2027-2028.


Impact at a glance (2019-2026)

Since the beginning of the partnership, Generali Romania, The Human Safety Net and the New Horizons Foundation have achieved significant impact across the country:

  • 33 counties reached;
  • 113 kindergartens involved;
  • 330 educators trained;
  • 131 Circle of Security facilitators certified;
  • 2,445 parents and caregivers engaged in programme activities;
  • 4,981 children reached directly and indirectly;
  • 1,064 Circle of Security sessions delivered;
  • 308 parent-child workshops organized;
  • 58,496 home-based family activities completed;
  • 319 Generali volunteers involved in supporting communities and programme activities.


More Than Financial Support

The partnership extends beyond funding. Generali Romania employees actively contribute through volunteering initiatives, fundraising campaigns and community engagement activities, helping create meaningful opportunities for children and families.

Together, Generali Romania and the New Horizons Foundation are building a future where every child can benefit from secure relationships, quality early education and a strong support network. Through The Family Club, families gain the confidence, skills and connections they need to create positive beginnings and brighter futures for the next generation.

 

The program

Founded in 2000, New Horizons Foundation (NHF) runs non-formal education programs both nationally and internationally. 

 

  • The Family Club (supported by Generali and THSN) is the program dedicated to caregivers of children in kindergartens from rural areas in Romania, in order to strengthen parenting skills and parents' confidence, as well as connection and trust with the kindergarten and, implicitly, the education system. The program trains Open hearts (Circle of Security reflection circle for parents), Sharp minds (parent-child reading club) and Skilled hands (parent-child crafts and preparation for writing). Running in 11 counties, in 2023 the program has impacted 346 parents and grandparents of 353 children with results such as a 39% increase in the time spent by the caregiver speaking with and paying attention to the child while doing the household chores, or 22% increase in the parents' ability to encourage their child. 
  • Glittery Schools (EN) (Școli cu ScLipici (RO)) is the literacy education program working with primary school teachers in vulnerable areas so that ”all children in Romania graduate the 4th grade knowing how to read and write”. The program is a reference in the Romanian educational world, capacitating other organizations, as well as universities (for teacher training) and working closely with national and local education authorities. 
  • IMPACT is the service learning program for youth clubs empowering over 3500 youth (13-18 y/o) annually to become active leaders in their communities. IMPACT is not only the largest youth community service learning movement in Romania, but has been replicated through international partners in 30 countries, running 800 clubs.
  • VIAȚA (meaning LIFE in Romanian) is our outdoor and adventure education program for over 1500 children and youth (8-18 y/o) annually. For 23 years, VIAȚA has been focusing on value-based education (VIA model) and deepening self-confidence and interpersonal confidence. Besides the staff, VIAȚA welcomes national and international volunteers and is a hub for annually training generation of outdoor camp leaders. 
  • Laboratory is our commitment to constantly test new educational models. We are currently piloting JoCoLab - the Laboratory for Play and Collaboration where we explore the world of STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Maths) -  for primary schools.