September 11, 2026, Chișinău – The Ministry of Justice and UNICEF signed the cooperation plan for the 2026–2027 period. The document was signed during the first meeting between the Minister of Justice, Vladislav Cojuhari, and the new UNICEF Country Representative in the Republic of Moldova, Deyana Kostadinova.
The plan outlines joint actions to strengthen a justice system tailored to the needs and rights of children. Key priorities include the specialization of professionals within the system; enhanced cooperation among the justice, social protection, health, and law enforcement sectors; the development of services for child victims or witnesses of crimes; and the expansion of alternatives to detention for children in conflict with the law. Measures are also included for developing Barnahus-style services and strengthening probation, restorative justice, and reintegration programs.
Minister Vladislav Cojuhari emphasized that the next stage of cooperation must place greater emphasis on prevention and on interventions that fully address children's needs.
"We appreciate UNICEF’s ongoing support and what we have managed to build together so far. Moving forward, we aim to focus our efforts more on prevention, so that we can intervene before a child falls victim to violence or comes into conflict with the law. This entails education, accessible services, and real alternatives for children. It is important that available resources be used where they can yield concrete results," stated Minister of Justice Vladislav Cojuhari.
"The Republic of Moldova already has good practices in the field of juvenile justice, and the next step is to ensure that the services and solutions developed reach the children who need them most. Through efforts made in recent years, as well as through the plan signed today, we aim to turn shared priorities into concrete results for children, focusing on prevention, services tailored to their needs, and alternatives that protect their rights and future prospects. UNICEF will continue to support the Ministry of Justice with international expertise and experience, ensuring that the best interests of the child remain at the heart of the justice system," stated Deyana Kostadinova, UNICEF Country Representative in Moldova.
The plan will be implemented by the end of 2027 and is part of the ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and UNICEF to strengthen child-friendly justice, protect children's rights, and develop services tailored to their needs.
