Funding hope and change in Romania in 2025

The Annual review is an overview of our programme work and financial information for 2025.

Our charity partner in Romania, Fundația FARA, supports vulnerable children, young people, adults with disabilities and families in poverty through four core programmes that focus on improving education, supporting people with disabilities and promoting social inclusion.

In 2025, FARA UK’s grant of £2.18m enabled Fundatia FARA to support 1,160 individuals and 654 families through therapy and rehabilitation, education and poverty support, supported living and outreach, educational bursaries and Ukrainian refugee support. These are the highlights.

In the Tackling Poverty through Education programmes

  • 21,700 hot meals  
  • 2,416 hours of homework support and club-based learning

In the Therapy and Rehabilitation Programme

  • 16,000+ therapy sessions 
  • 247 children received therapy 

Tackling Poverty through Education

Fundația FARA’s flagship community-based programme helps children in Romania overcome barriers to education by preventing school dropouts, closing educational gaps, strengthening resilience, increasing autonomy for people with disabilities, and fostering community cohesion around education.

In 2025, over 540 children and young people benefited through educational programmes, emotional support, counselling and assistance. Activities included homework support, hot meals, creative learning sessions, life skills, outdoor activities, cultural visits and residential camps.

Key highlights

  • 540+

    Beneficiaries

  • 21700

    Hot meals

  • 2,416

    Hours

    of homework support and club based learning

  • 605

    Food Packages

Therapy and rehabilitation

In 2025, Fundația FARA supported 247 children with disabilities with over 16,000 free therapy sessions, including speech and psychological therapy, physiotherapy, and creative activities designed to help them overcome developmental challenges, promote their inclusion in mainstream education, and improve their daily lives at home, school and in the community.

They also provided tailored support, training and information to over 200 parents, and 132 professionals, volunteers and students, to improve their understanding of disabilities, child development and rehabilitation options.

Fundația FARA organised 3 therapeutic and respite camps attended by 28 children and young people, and 25 parents and caregivers. These safe, inclusive and supportive environments gave children and parents access to therapeutic activities, recreational opportunities, emotional support, relaxation and meaningful social interactions.

Key highlights

  • 247

    Beneficiaries

  • 16000

    Therapy Sessions

  • 802

    Professional assessments

  • 949

    Food Packages

Other Key highlights 

  • 247 beneficiaries  
  • 16000+ therapy sessions  
  • 802 professional assessments 
  • 63 events celebrated (birthdays, Easter, Christmas, Carnaval, international days) 
  • 116 children and 52 parents 
  • 32 outdoor activities (painting, sports, picnic), 75 children and 39 parents 
  • 949 Food packages 
  • 61 Educational kits 
  • 52 beneficiaries received help with transportation 
  • 731 Non-food packages (clothing, hygiene products, cleaning products, etc.) 
  • 211 parents received individual feedback across 14651 interactions 
  • 529 Individual counselling sessions received by 86 parents, family members 

Homes for life and outreach

This programme has two components: long-term, safe residential care for 19 adults with disabilities who once lived in state institutions, and community outreach that aims to reduce barriers and foster social inclusion for 69 adults with disabilities who live with their families. . One highlight was the Support for Equality and Empowerment project in partnership with Suceava County Council where, over 6 months, participants took part in independent living workshops, creative occupational therapy, social interaction activities and emotional development sessions.

Key highlights

  • 80

    Beneficiaries

  • 60

    Families

  • 608

    Periodic needs assessmnets

  • 2356

    Healthy meals

Other Key highlights 

  • 7,000 individual autonomy sessions 
  • 7,000 individual emotional support sessions 
  • 222 people from the community received emotional support through 832 individual sessions 
  • 61 beneficiaries participated in 47 special events 
  • 39 unique beneficiaries participated in 20 trips and outdoors activities 
  • 353 food packages 
  • 341 non-food packages 
  • 136 beneficiaries received help with transportation 
  • 57 beneficiaries received wellness and Personal care services 

Educational bursaries

The Fundația FARA Educational Bursaries programme is designed to reduce the risk of school dropout, promote equal opportunities and enable students from disadvantaged rural communities to continue in education. In addition to financial support, students are supported through mentorship, counselling, career guidance, digital skills development and personal development opportunities.  

In 2025, the FARA Foundation funded 33 Jane Nicholson bursaries, and also funded the staff who provide support for this whole programme. This programme was also supported by Lenovo scholarships and private donors in Romania. Every student supported reported a good outcome. 

Key highlights

  • 128

    Beneficiaries

  • 33

    Jane Nicholson bursaries

    (funded by the UK)

  • 21

    Lenovo bursaries

  • 37

    Funded by other donors

    (including private donations and the Eugen Sârbu bursaries)

Other Key highlights 

  • 79% recipients from rural areas 
  • 40% high school students 
  • 64% recipients are women 
  • 9.13 admission grade 
  • 100% of recipients reported a good outcome 
  • 732 support interactions (calls, online, and face-to-face sessions) 
  • Beneficiaries who improved their overall academic average by ≥0.5 (85%) 
  • 70% of beneficiaries achieved results in competitions/Olympiads 
  • 65% of students were admitted to top-tier programmes (average grade ≥8.5) 
  • 90% recipients participated in volunteering projects 

How FARA UK raises the funds to support our the work in Romania

Most of the money we raise from which we fund Fundaţia FARA comes from our London charity shops. Together with promoting second-hand clothing and the circular economy, they’re a well-loved and positive presence in their communities. Each run by dedicated staff, and supported by more than 300 volunteers who give their time to support us. 

Trading costs increased in 2025, but our retail income stayed in line with 2024, and we were able to give Fundaţia FARA a grant of £2,18 to support their programmes in Romania. This represented 84% of their total income, with the remaining 16% coming from local fundraising and public funding.  

FARA UK

  • 39

    Charity Shops

  • £12m

    Retail income

  • £10m

    Shop turnover

  • 120

    full-time staff

    - 180 part-time/casual staff - 300+ volunteers

2026 and beyond

We’ll continue to fund Fundaţia FARA’s work, focusing on supporting their core programmes in Romania . We’re raising the funds to do this by increasing our public profile and community engagement, and by growing our retail operations. 

Fundaţia FARA’s presence has transformed the community, inspiring people to see the world differently. One beneficiary of the Homes for life programme said

“Here I feel like a whole human being. I have plans and dreams.”

Tackling poverty through education is not just an educational initiative, it’s a social infrastructure that prevents immeasurable future costs and creates the conditions for long-term community transformation. 

Read our full 2025 Annual review

Download report

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