On 10 December 2025, an EU co-financed project with a total budget of approximately HUF 7.3 billion was launched to support disadvantaged children of kindergarten age in Hungary. The project aims to improve early childhood development outcomes by providing age-appropriate support packages containing essential items and tools that promote children’s physical, social, and cognitive development.
The program is implemented within the framework of the Human Resources Development Operational Programme Plus (HRDOP Plus) and is coordinated by the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta. The distribution of the support packages is organised from the organisation’s logistics centre in Budapest.
The project will be implemented until October 2029 and is expected to reach approximately 13,000 preschool children annually in 300 of Hungary’s most disadvantaged “Emerging Settlements.” The overarching objective is to strengthen equal opportunities and support successful school entry for children growing up in disadvantaged circumstances.
The content of the support packages has been developed in line with age-specific needs and includes developmental toys and educational tools, as well as multivitamins, hygiene products, bedding items, and winter clothing, which are often difficult to access for the target group.
Implementation is carried out in close cooperation with around 30 consortium partners, including charitable and church-based organisations, ensuring coordinated delivery and adaptation to local needs across all participating settlements. As a Pillar project, the initiative contributes directly to the strategic objectives of HRDOP Plus, with particular emphasis on the support of vulnerable groups and the reduction of social inequalities.
