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TERMS OF REFERENCE For the selection of a Sociological Company with the purpose of carrying out a research on the safety of vulnerable children in the digital environment Contract type: Service Contract Consultancy Duration: November 2023 - July 2024 Context: The vulnerability of children in the digital environment is a complex subject, interconnected with various social aspects. Research conducted so far in the field of child online safety identifies children's interests online, risk behaviors, and children's response reactions to online abuse situations. However, there remains an informational gap concerning digital inclusion and the specific risks faced by vulnerable children in the digital environment in the Republic of Moldova. The planned research aims to provide data and recommendations to improve the national response on two dimensions: 1) Digital inclusion of children and families with vulnerable children; 2) Safety of vulnerable children in the digital environment, for a better understanding of the specific risks and challenges in the digital environment, the experiences of these children, factors contributing to their online vulnerability, as well as exploring effective ways to promote the safety of vulnerable children in the online environment. The study findings will serve as the foundation for the development of evidence-based programs, training initiatives for professionals in the domain of child protection, and other tools to promote the safety of children online more effectively, including protecting vulnerable children from any form of abuse. In the context of the research, a broader definition of vulnerable children will be applied, which aligns with the provisions of Article 8 of Law No. 140/2013, as well as Articles 1 and 7 of Law No. 547/2003. Consequently, the category of vulnerable children will include: children from families with low or no income, children abandoned or deprived of parental care, children from incomplete families, as well as children who possess other characteristics of vulnerability such as those with special educational needs, migrant or refugee children, and children who are victims of crimes (experiencing violence, neglect, etc.). The proposed sample will include 1000 children (aged 9-17 years), from two sub-categories, vulnerable children and non-vulnerable children, according to predetermined criteria. The sociological company may propose another sample, based on the goals and objectives of the research.  This research will be carried out by the International Center” La Strada", with the support of Palladium within the Data for Impact Project, funded by USAID. Specific tasks and expected results: The research aims to support authorities in the development of evidence-based programs in the field of online child safety, implementing awareness campaigns regarding risks in the online environment, and developing training programs for child protection professionals in this area. The sociological company is set to conduct the study between November 2023 and June 2024. The proposed objectives include: 1) Researching children's access to the Internet, the practices and skills of children online, the specific risks and the response of vulnerable children to risks in the digital environment; 2) Analyzing specific vulnerabilities and factors to protect children from online risks; 3) Formulating relevant recommendations for public authorities and professionals in the field of child protection regarding the reduction of risks in the virtual environment to which vulnerable children may be exposed;  Responsibilities of the sociological company:   Elaboration of the research framework, including draft report content, research tools (interview guide, focus group moderation guide, questionnaires, etc.); Consulting on the research methodology with the International Center "La Strada"; Collecting relevant data, useful for research, including by moderating focus group discussions, conducting individual interviews or applying questionnaires, according to the methodology approved by the International Center " La Strada”; Analyzing the collected data, elaborating and consulting the preliminary version of the research with the International Center " La Strada”; Collecting recommendations and finalizing the final version of the research; Participation in an event to present research results.  Research activities should be carried out as follows:   Tasks Results Dates & terms of implementation Drafting the Research Protocol in line with Palladium's considerations for its coordination with the Institutional Review Board. Adapting the Protocol based on suggestions from the International Center 'La Strada' and Palladium (in English). The research protocol will include research methodology and tools (interview guide, focus group moderation guide, questionnaires, etc.), including the description of ethical considerations Research Protocol 26 January 2024 Consultation of the research framework project with the International Center "La Strada" Approval of the research framework by the International Center "La Strada" 30 January 2024         3. Incorporation of Palladium comments on the revision of the research protocol, translation of research tools into Russian and Romanian Data collection tools-English, Romanian, Russian 28 February 2024 Collecting relevant data, useful for research, including by moderating focus group discussions, conducting individual interviews or applying questionnaires, according to the methodology approved by the International Center " La Strada” Tables with data collected, final dataset in SPSS. 1 March - 30 March 2024 5. Preliminary data analysis, tables and graphs sent to La Strada   Draft Excel files with analysis, tables, graphs and other figures 15 April 2024 Analysis of the collected data, elaboration and consultation of the preliminary version of the research with the International Center " La Strada” Preliminary report (in English and Romanian). 30 April 2024 Collecting recommendations and finalizing the final version of the research; Final report (in English and Romanian). 30 May 2024 Participation in an event to present research results - public event - PP presentation - List of participants - collecting recommendations from participants June 2024  Application for participation in the competition  The deadline for submitting the proposal is December 1, 2023, 18.00 and will include: - A brief of the bidding company (name, postal address, bank details, contact phone, electronic address, responsible person, relevant data from the company's activity, etc.). - The technical proposal that will include an overview on the implementation of the consultancy and terms of implementation; - The financial offer, presented in USD, indicating the gross amount with VAT included.   The applications will be sent via email: office@lastrada.md. The selected company will be the contacted to discuss the contract details

During the period of August 16-17 this year, 30 managers of pre-university institutions from different regions of the country participate in the training workshop “Standards of Children's Protection and Safety in the Online Environment - How do we ensure their efficient implementation?”, organized by the International Centre “La Strada” in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research with the support of UNICEF Moldova.   Veronica Maevschi, the Director of the Issues Affecting Children Program within IC La Strada mentioned in the opening of the event that this activity is part of an ambitious project, implemented by the IC “La Strada” with the financial support of UNICEF Moldova with a view to ensure the protection and safety of boys and girls against sexual violence in the online environment, including gender-based violence.   “A safe school has been our dream, which came to life a few years ago and towards the realization of which we went step by step together with our partners. The Safer Internet School Concept involves the creation of a safe online environment for children, in which the teachers and managerial staff responsibly ensure the children’s online safety, the parents are informed about the risks of the digital environment and how they could guide their kids, whereas the children know and can have the support of both parents and teachers in case of any unpleasant situation. I wish you interesting and useful activities during these two training days”, said Veronica Maevschi.    Angela Prisăcaru, the Senior Consultant of the Ministry of Education and Research welcomed the partnership with IC “La Strada” and the support of UNICEF Moldova, which she qualified as professional and valuable for the authorities in preventing and strengthening the educational institutions’ online safety.” After this training workshop we expect the managerial staff be able to integrate the standards of children's protection and safety in the online environment, approved by the Ministry, in the internal plans of the institutions”, emphasized Angela Prisăcaru.   Tatiana Danilescu, Children’s Protection Officer UNICEF Moldova reiterated the long-term support of the entity she represents for the protection initiatives related to safe online environment for children. She thanked the partners for the openness, and the institutions’ managers for interest and participation.    The training workshop for the managerial staff is organized in accordance with the Action Plan on the implementation of the Standards of children's protection and safety in the online environment, approved by the order of Ministry of Education and Research no. 985 from 07.10.2022, with a view to ensure children’s protection and safety in the online environment.    During this event, the managerial staff and the people in charge from education institutions are involved in a participative discussions and planning of the actions which need to be taken at the institution’s level concerning the children’s online safety. At the end of the training workshop, the participants will have a draft action plan for implementing the Set of Standards, developed with the guidance of trainers.   To ensure a good implementation for the Standards during the 2023-2024 school year, eight education institutions have been selected which will benefit from support on behalf of the International Centre “La Strada”, under the project “Strengthen the system for the prevention and protection of boys and girls from online sexual violence, including GBV”, financially supported by UNICEF.   This July, International Centre “La Strada”, with support from UNICEF Moldova, launched the project “Strengthen the system for the prevention and protection of boys and girls from online sexual violence, including GBV”, meant to consolidate the systemic response to the sexual violence against boys and girls in the online environment, including gender-based violence.