Through the EFOP-1.4.3-16 program, the Municipality of Cigánd launched a project to ensure equal and high-quality access to early childhood development services. As part of this initiative, the Lavender Sure Start Children’s House was created to provide comprehensive support for children under the age of three who are not enrolled in childcare, as well as for their parents.
Cigánd lies at the heart of one of Hungary’s most disadvantaged regions. It is the only town in the Bodrogköz area, with a population that is both socially and ethnically diverse. Many families—particularly within the Roma community—live in four segregated neighborhoods marked by high unemployment and low educational levels. These challenges affect children most of all, since disadvantages often begin in early childhood and carry on through later life. To address this, the local council committed to developing a program based on the Sure Start model.
The Children’s House was established on the edge of Cigánd’s largest segregated area, Pap-tag, home to many disadvantaged families. The program’s services aim to promote inclusive care and education, prevent or reduce developmental delays in young children, and support families in building stronger social ties.
The concept of the Children’s House rests on three pillars: 1. Prevention – breaking the cycle of poverty, low education, and disadvantage passed down across generations. 2. Professional cooperation – fostering multidisciplinary teamwork to provide effective, comprehensive support. 3. Continuous training – ensuring staff use the latest methods and tools to help families.
At its launch, 13 young children and their families took part in the EU-funded program. The children benefited from regular developmental activities, individual assessments, targeted interventions, and healthy meals. Parents joined workshops that built personal skills, strengthened family relationships, and supported their role as caregivers. The project also emphasized community involvement and close cooperation among health visitors, pediatricians, social workers, and teachers.
Today, the Lavender Children’s House continues to thrive, offering a variety of programs open to all families with young children. It provides a safe, supportive environment that nurtures children’s healthy growth and development, while also helping to reduce social disadvantage and strengthen families in Cigánd.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project az EFOP-1.4.3-16-2017-00114 under the Human Resource Development Operational Programme.
Find out more about the project in the Project Finder:Details
