In a world where technology evolves rapidly and digital skills are essential for success, one initiative in the Republic of Moldova is bringing light, hope, and real opportunities to children from vulnerable backgrounds. This is the story of Vibe Academy, a social enterprise that offers free or low-cost IT and robotics courses to young people across the country.
It all began in 2019 in the city of Cahul, when Maria Pasat, a graduate of the Technical University of Moldova, along with two colleagues, founded an educational centre in a small with modest equipment – but guided by a powerful vision: to give children with access to a digital future. Even when the pandemic struck, the team stayed the course. With support from a grant provided by the East Europe Foundation and funded by the European Union through its EU4Business initiative, with co-financing from Sweden, the first Vibe Academy branch officially opened in Cahul.
Success followed quickly. In 2023, Maria secured another grant – EUR 37,500 – through the project “Harnessing the CSOs’ potential to promote and develop social entrepreneurship in Moldova”. With this support, Vibe Academy expanded to new locations in Orhei, Hincești, and Criuleni.
Thanks to this external support, children from socially vulnerable families or orphanages attend courses completely free of charge, while others pay only symbolic fees.
“The grant allows us to offer services that are either partially paid or completely free for children from orphanages or vulnerable families,” explains Maria Pasat.
Today, Vibe Academy operates seven educational centers in Cahul, as well as branches in Chisinau, Orhei, Criuleni, Hincești and Edinet. Children aged 4 to 16 learn programming, robotics, 3D modeling, electronics, and more. The classrooms are equipped with modern tools like laptops, Arduino boards, 3D printers, and interactive whiteboards.
But the learning goes beyond technology. Children also cultivate creativity, critical thinking, self-confidence, and teamwork skills.
“Here I learned how to make projects, video clips, and many other interesting things. I'm very excited about these lessons,” says Ariadna, an 11-year-old student.
The centres also provde afterschool programs, giving children a safe, inspiring environment to complete their homework and socialize. Remarkably, some current trainers are former students who grew up with the academy and now help shape the next generation.
As a true social enterprise, Vibe Academy reinvests all income into expanding its network, creating local jobs with equal salaries across all locations, and training staff from within the community.
“Social entrepreneurship means giving back to the community. That’s what we do – offering access to education where it wouldn’t otherwise exist,” says Maria Pasat.
Vibe Academy is more than an educational space. It is a space of hope, trust, and transformation. It’s a living proof that with education, innovation, and heart, the future can be reshaped, starting with the youngest among us.
