About
CHAVORE (which means "children" in Romani language) is an initiative committed to enhancing the mental health and well-being of young children aged 0-6, particularly in vulnerable communities such as Roma.
This initiative addresses the critical developmental needs of young children, especially during their early years, by fostering environments that promote physical and mental health and well-being. CHAVORE’s work is rooted in cultural sensitivity and evidence-based practices, making it a unique approach that supports young children and families experiencing exclusion and discrimination and the professionals who care for them.
What We Do
CHAVORE provides comprehensive support to early childhood practitioners, caregivers and parents through tailored resources, training, and interventions focused on promoting mental health and overall well-being. These efforts are grounded in evidence-based practices and delivered through multiple formats, such as self-paced learning modules, community-based workshops and tailored practical resources.
The program’s interventions are designed to address specific challenges in marginalized communities, especially those lacking access to quality early childhood education and care and inclusive mental health support. CHAVORE also fosters collaboration among early childhood professionals by encouraging peer learning and the exchange of best practices across countries. This approach ensures that the tools and resources developed have a broad reach and a long-lasting impact on early childhood education and care throughout Europe.
Our Value Proposition
CHAVORE stands out by offering a holistic approach to early childhood mental health. The initiative not only targets the needs of young children in marginalized communities, such as the Roma, but also strengthens the competencies of the caregivers and professionals involved in their development. CHAVORE equips these key stakeholders with practical, culturally relevant tools, workshops and training, ensuring they are well-prepared to foster both mental and physical well-being in children.
By integrating evidence-based practices and cultural sensitivity, CHAVORE creates adaptable, innovative resources that respond to the unique challenges faced by underserved communities and professionals working with them. This dual focus on children’s needs and competence-based support for parents and early childhood practitioners ensures that the program has both immediate and long-term benefits for young Roma children, their families, communities and the workforce that interact with them.
Why We Do What We Do
Young Roma children are frequently exposed to stressors like poverty, exclusion, poor living conditions, and discrimination, all of which can severely affect their mental and physical development, as confirmed by a recent research study. Early childhood is a crucial period for brain and body development, and the right support during this time is essential for long-term well-being.
CHAVORE operates on the belief that every child, regardless of background or circumstances, deserves a healthy and supportive start in life. Early interventions that focus on mental health and well-being help break the cycle of adversity, fostering resilience and creating stronger foundations for future success. CHAVORE is committed to ensuring that all children, particularly those in vulnerable communities such as the Roma, have access to the care and support they need to thrive.
How We Do It
CHAVORE takes a multi-layered approach to improving early childhood well-being. The approach begins with in-depth participatory needs assessments conducted across the five partner countries in selected communities to identify the specific mental health and development needs of young Roma children and their caregivers. Based on these insights, CHAVORE develops culturally responsive tools and training modules tailored to the identified needs of young children, parents and practitioners.
CHAVORE’s interventions are delivered through a combination of self-paced learning, and community-based workshops, all aimed at building the capacity of caregivers and professionals to support children’s mental health and development. Cross-country collaboration is central to the approach, with peer-learning networks facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices across diverse contexts. The continuous evaluation and refinement ensures its interventions remain adaptable, effective, and sustainable, addressing the evolving needs of vulnerable communities while building resilience in early childhood care systems.
Who We Are
Built on the expertise of the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) and its Romani Early Years Network (REYN) initiative, CHAVORE leverages a transnational partnership across five countries to develop inclusive and responsive early childhood education and care. Funded by the European Commission, the consortium is comprised of ISSA members, led by Educational Research Institute (Slovenia), and includes Open Academy Step by Step (OASbS), Partners Hungary Foundation (PH), Skola dokoran - Wide Open School (SD), and Kosovo Education Center (KEC), and the ISSA Hub.
