Teenagers and young people in the Republic of Moldova will soon have access to an innovative space for learning, exploration, and life skills development to ensure a safer transition to adulthood and the labor market — the EduLIFE Hub. This initiative will be developed through a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Education and Research, the National Youth Agency, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Orange Moldova Foundation.
As part of this joint commitment, on April 11, the four parties signed a memorandum of understanding, aiming to combine their efforts to benefit young people by using innovation and modern technologies.
"Young people are and will remain a priority in all the policies and interventions of the Ministry of Education and Research. EduLIFE Hub is a strategic center through which we aim to strengthen youth-focused activities, offering them access to modern resources, innovative methods, and real opportunities to prepare for adult life and integration into the labor market. It is a concrete example of how a partnership between the state, international organizations, and the private sector can generate sustainable solutions for the future of Moldova's youth," said Dan Perciun, Minister of Education and Research.
EduLIFE Hub will be located in the "Youth Lab" Social Innovation Center in Chișinău, operated by the Ministry of Education and Research and the National Youth Agency. In this context, the authorities have allocated a 300-square-meter space for the Hub's setup. UNFPA and the Orange Foundation will contribute to the renovation and arrangement of the space, interior design, equipping with modern technologies, and development of programs and resources focused on life education for young people. UNFPA will also support the development of the curriculum and other educational initiatives of the Hub, providing expertise, best practices, and international resources to make this space as valuable and relevant for young people as possible.
EduLIFE Hub builds upon UNFPA's ongoing efforts to empower youth through life skills development programs, both in and out of school, at national and regional levels. Together with our government partners – the Ministry of Education and Research, the National Youth Agency, and the Orange Foundation- we aim to provide young people access to a space dedicated to learning, experimenting, and innovation. This space will accompany them on their path to adulthood and equip them with essential life skills," said Karina Nersesyan, UNFPA Resident Representative.
Building on its extensive experience with extracurricular youth empowerment and life skills development programs, UNFPA, with the support of the Governments of Canada and Norway, will invest over 5 million MDL in developing the EduLIFE Hub.
EduLIFE Hub is the result of a strong and visionary partnership that emphasizes the development of essential life and career skills for young people.
“We are excited to be part of this initiative that brings educational innovation into a space dedicated exclusively to youth — Youth Lab, which will become a dynamic ecosystem where young people's ideas transform into practical solutions, learning becomes relevant and applied, and collaboration and engagement shape a civic and democratic culture," said Alex Petrov, Director of the National Youth Agency.
The EduLIFE Hub will host training programs for young people, professionals working with and for youth, health education trainers, and parents. In addition, it will offer experiential learning opportunities using immersive technologies and other modern tools provided by the Orange Moldova Foundation.
"EduLIFE Hub reflects our commitment to building an inclusive and future-ready society. At Orange Moldova, we believe in the potential of young people and consistently invest in their digital education and life skills development. Since 2009, more than 500,000 people in Moldova have directly benefited from our digital education and inclusion projects through the Orange Moldova Foundation. Now, through the EduLIFE Hub partnership, we aim to expand this impact – offering even greater access to technology, training, and a new space for self-expression and personal growth,” reiterated Olga Surugiu, CEO of Orange Moldova.
In the long term, EduLIFE Hub is envisioned to become a Center for Life Skills Development for young people, offering resources and programs at both national and regional levels. The official launch of the EduLIFE Hub is planned for autumn 2025.
EduLIFE Hub is part of the broader EduLIFE programs by UNFPA in Moldova, with interventions in general education, vocational education, and community-based settings. EduLIFE represents a comprehensive approach to supporting young people in developing life skills during their transition to adulthood, enabling them to make informed decisions and integrate more easily into society and the labor market.
