REF Romania expands the CERC Complementary Education Centers model across 3 regions, with a total investment of over 9.2 million RON
Roma Education Fund (REF) Romania announces the launch of three integrated projects under the “Remedial and Complementary Education Centers (CERC)” model, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) through the Education and Employment Programme (PEO). The initiative aims to improve access to quality education and reduce school dropout rates among Roma children in vulnerable communities.
The projects are implemented in the counties of Brașov, Mureș, and Iași, with a combined value of over 9.26 million RON, and will run for 24 months (March 2026 – February 2028).
Three CERC projects are implemented in:
- Tărlungeni (Brașov County) – Project SMIS ID 339121
- Zizin (Brașov County) – Project SMIS ID 339122
- Beica de Jos (Mureș County) & Podu Iloaiei (Iași County) – Project SMIS ID 339002
The combined value of the three projects is: 9,266,369.42 RON
Target group: Across all three projects, the intervention will directly support:
- 600 Roma students
- 60 teachers
- 30 Roma mentors
- at least 40 parents or legal guardians
Shared objective: education, inclusion, and reducing early school leaving
The CERC projects aim to increase school participation and improve educational outcomes through an integrated support model combining:
- remedial education and academic support
- mentoring and educational guidance
- psychological and career counseling
- parental education programs
- STEAM activities (robotics, IT, arts, crafts)
- teacher training and professional development
The model focuses on strengthening foundational skills, reducing learning gaps, and enhancing individual and community resilience.
Impact of the programme
Across the three interventions, REF Romania estimates:
- 600 students directly supported
- 390 students improving their academic results
- 60 trained teachers
- 30 trained and active Roma mentors
- at least 40 parents engaged in educational programmes
- 1,200 sets of school supplies distributed
- 9 cultural and artistic events organised
- 120 students participating in cultural and artistic activities
- 120 students involved in personal development programmes
- 60 students receiving individualised support
- 60 participants in robotics and IT summer camps
- 60 educational micro-grants awarded to schools
Through these projects, REF Romania aims to demonstrate that educational performance can be achieved in any community when children benefit from integrated interventions, adequate resources, and sustained support.
The CERC model combines formal education with non-formal learning and support services, contributing to:
- reducing school dropout rates
- increasing school participation
- strengthening the role of families in education
- reducing educational inequalities
- promoting social inclusion
In the long term, the programme contributes to the development of a scalable education model that can be expanded nationally, offering sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities and supporting the development of a new generation of students, teachers, and Roma leaders.
For further information, please contact:
Mihnea Antila – Project Manager, REF Romania, mihnea.antila@roma.education
Fanel Petrescu – Project Manager, REF Romania, fanel.petrescu@roma.education
