Sphere in Romania: From classroom to implementation

By Iozefina Teodorescu, Education in Emergences Specialist and Sphere focal point representative, World Vision Romania

World Vision Romania joined Sphere’s focal point network in October 2023. Since then, we’ve been promoting Sphere Principles and Standards with our staff and partners, including local NGOs and authorities. In Romania, Sphere has become especially relevant in the last two years as it became a vital resource during the Ukraine Crisis Response.

We’ve organised several Sphere events already this year; both in person and on-line; in Romanian, Ukrainian and English, and we’ve distributed many physical copies of the Romanian version of the Handbook.

Around 70 Sphere workshop participants show their Sphere Handbooks (World Vision Romania, 27 June 2024)

We caught up with some Sphere workshop participants to see how they’d been applying their new knowledge.

“Sphere helps us focus on the real needs of people, ensuring that our interventions are both effective and humane.

“In our work at the Regional Integration Center Constanța, we strive to create a safe and respectful environment for everyone we assist. By applying the Sphere principles, we ensure that each individual receives not only material assistance but also appropriate psychological and social support. This includes access to clear and transparent information, participation in the decision-making process, and respectful and dignified treatment at all stages of our programme.”

Alexandra Crivilaru, Integration Centre Regional Coordinator for Constanta county Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Romania

“One of the missions of our association is to provide accredited social support services for the social inclusion of people at risk of poverty. I believe that the Core Humanitarian Standard that Sphere incorporates is important and in-line with the philosophy that we operate by to provide effective social services to those in need.”

Raluca Timpescu, Social Services Manager, Bucovina Social Partnership Institute Association

“In partnership with World Vision Romania, we distributed hygiene kits and food vouchers to vulnerable families from host communities as part of our Ukraine Crisis Response.

“As a public social assistance authority, we adhere to quality standards. In this instance, we applied Hygiene Promotion Standards 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3; Food Security Standard 5; and Food Assistance Standards 6.2 and 6.3, which helped us to ensure a quality distribution and to consider the needs and capacities of the vulnerable affected population.

“We are grateful to World Vision Romania for the introduction to the Sphere Handbook which will help us further improve the social assistance we provide.”

Dragoș Andrei Cazacu, General Director, Social Assistance and Child Protection Directorate, Vaslui county

At least 65 of our Ukraine Crisis Response Programme staff – including Romanians and Ukrainians – have received certificates for completing Sphere self-paced online courses.

There is still a lot to do, and we are currently seeking to improve our Sphere-related activities and promote Sphere to a wider range of stakeholders, because we are committed to ensuring that all those in need of assistance can live with dignity.