Re-Power Communities is a pilot project implemented by Junior Achievement Romania, developed in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Europe, with support from the UniCredit Foundation, which aims to develop an integrated model for preventing school dropout through coordinated interventions targeting students, teachers, parents, and the community.

During the 2025–2026 school year, the project is being implemented at the Alexandru Rosetti Theoretical High School in Vidra (Ilfov), where the school serves as the hub of a community-based initiative designed to support participation in education and create meaningful opportunities for young people.

Project objectives

The project aims to:

• transform schools at risk of high dropout rates into community-supported centers where education and civic engagement are combined with real opportunities for young people;
• reduce school dropout rates among students aged 13 to 15 by addressing the causes of absenteeism and early school leaving;
• improve educational outcomes through personalized interventions and integrated support;
• support teachers through innovative, student-centered teaching methods;
• actively involve parents as partners in the educational process;
• engage the community (local authorities, NGOs, the business community, and academia) in support of the school;
• foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and confidence in the future among young people.

Project approach

Re-Power Communities is based on an integrated intervention model grounded in data and research. In this regard, the University of Bucharest is a partner in the process of assessing and analyzing community needs, using a mixed-methods approach that involves students, teachers, parents, and other local stakeholders.

The research findings help tailor interventions for the next phases of the project and develop a replicable model for communities with similar characteristics.

Activities

For the 2025–2026 school year, the project includes:

• design thinking workshops for 6th- and 7th-grade students, focused on developing solutions to community problems;
• organizing a community fair that fosters dialogue among students, the school, and local stakeholders;
• support for students in preparatory through 5th grade by providing “ready for school” educational kits;
• personal development and career guidance sessions for 8th-grade students;
• training teachers in teaching methods based on motivation and engagement;
• sessions for parents, aimed at strengthening their relationship with the school.

Educational content

The project offers an integrated learning experience that combines classroom activities, experiential learning, and exposure to real-world contexts, helping to develop the skills essential for educational and personal success.

For students in grades 6-7, the educational journey is built around exploration, collaboration, and active engagement. Activities include self-awareness and team-building exercises designed to strengthen trust and collaboration, as well as sessions focused on understanding the community to which they belong. Students are supported in identifying real needs, generating ideas through creative brainstorming, and developing solutions using design thinking methods. The process continues with prototyping and testing, followed by the development of presentation and pitching skills, and culminates in participation in a community fair where they present their initiatives and interact directly with community members.

For 8th-grade students, the program focuses on personal development and career guidance through reflection and self-discovery activities. Students explore the concept of personal branding and understand how their identity, choices, and behaviors influence their educational and professional paths. Through practical exercises, they identify the skills and competencies they have developed in everyday contexts and clarify their future options. At the same time, they analyze the emotions associated with exams and major transitions, learning concrete techniques for managing them to build confidence and achieve personal balance.

Learning experiences are complemented by interactions in real-world contexts, such as community events, which facilitate dialogue with local stakeholders and strengthen a sense of belonging and responsibility.

Impact

Re-Power Communities helps increase school attendance, strengthen the relationship between schools and communities, and develop a sustainable intervention model that can be expanded to other communities.

About UniCredit Foundation
UniCredit Foundation is the corporate foundation of the UniCredit Group, whose goal is to tap into and harness the potential of the new generation of Europeans. Its mission is to empower young people across Europe by promoting equal opportunities in education and supporting them as they forge their own paths in life and in the professional world. The foundation’s initiatives aim to combat school dropout rates, improve employment prospects, encourage higher education, and promote outreach and research activities. The foundation’s goal is to support communities in all countries where the UniCredit Group operates.